The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-11-20
Court OF Over and Term,ner.
The Hon. j.

The Hon Judge Edwards and two Aldermen, presiding
eolored man. was indicted for the murder Of John
Murray Portuguese on the l3th Of October last at
161 Leonard street. The District Attorney and Me-
Sweeney appeared on b.hslf OF the people, aud Mr..
Sherwood who was assigned By the Court defended the
prisoner. The defence was insanity.
Rebeoca Butler deposed that she knew the deceased
slightly kDowsthe prisoner; he vas boarding in the
house lsI Leonard street, where witness was house.
not feel we'll snd would 60 TO bed prisoner was sitting
by the stove In the kitchen; Mr.. Williams vent 70
church, the prisoner came to witness and asked foe
light; he IL a Sandwich Islsnder; he went up stairs
when he got the light; man named Francis came IN
alter and vent mp s.sir'. heard fall up stairs
witness thenwent M and found Francis at the
foot Of the FIRST nisht, bleeding and ssnseless
be-" witness turned TO 70 down stairs when the light
struck from her hand aud she struck upon the
head BY some one and became senseess from the ef.
feet Of the wound whIn witness came TO- the doctor
vas sewing up her wound frsnci. was taken g. the
Hospital, where he rem aimed week; he IL gone TO
sea
Croa.sxanined-Thish happened on Sunday night,
between seven and eight o'clock; tha prisoner sp-
peared sick snd weak and acted strange that day he
fastened mp ihe door, twice. by putting bar across a.
Re exanin'd-Saw prisoner drink brandy that day,
he did not appear 90 be intoxicated when no asked for
the light he was very quiet when asked what he
barred the doo for, he made no ans~G.
james Johnstn deposed that he was sent for b 20
20 the hou,e the man Francis bleeding Tires or
four policemen, and they and witness went up toge-
th.r prisoner stood at the head Of the stairs with
brchAts and bs posts dorn the stairs At those Who
were endsavorips 70 arrest him.
On cross examination, witness raid he had seen the
prisoner tear his dothes on at lBurlng slip, s5ous
uetk before this transa stiOn.
james Martin, policeman Of 9th ward, deposei that
he vert up stairs 70 arrest the prisoner he threE
hed.pcst aud struck witness the shoulder; other
pocerne came 10 and " three four hours
before the prisoner vas taken. Witness the body
Of Murray lying on the bed he quite dead his
face vas all smashed and he othcrwise dreaduiiy
mutilated q bar flron end briskbst we're placed
By the sids Of the bcty the hands Of the deceased
were crossed.
CrosssIamired- About nine days before this. wit.
mess took the Trifonrrto The station house the cap
tain 6rectes hin to ~ taken 60 the Hospital as he
rnd IL vas the proper ees Tor him prisoner appear.
ed Is ifhe vented 70 ~ somebody or himself. wit
ness tctk bin TO the liofptal aud left him there.
Witnesses for the deerce deposed TO the extraord.
n,ry ooneuct q the Iriscner-that he seemed TO be
afraid ofeyerybOdy, sud had acted In q strange man
ner
After she trnu irntlou Of other witnesses and the
testimony ~ DR.. Coiviae, physician Of the city
Prise the District ktCfNv said he could not press
the cbsrga for MURDER sriiast the prisoner but he
snpposed tAfy would feu1 him 20 the asylum
The Judge told the juY hat from the nature Of the
"a 4epce particularly that 81 DR. Coiyille the pri
fcner sas rot accountable being aud, therefore
ipr r,rc srsd verdict Il not guilty, the ground Of
ju,Srify We court then ordered his removal TO the
: 81 Lrustic Asylnai
al n,,sot 80 rat Iis'lessiy. though sometimes he
ss o., anxicus - undsrroui the testimony % the
, f.t.ssss ~ - nfA.t ca RS krse- all ths asy
y - ~. L J. Ssh-s