The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-27
Trial of Dennis O'COnnOr for the Murder of
Michael COnroy.
COURT OF OYER AND TERMiNER.
Before Hon Indre RnnsnYnlt


April 26-Dennis O'Connor the prisoner was indicted
with his two brothers Hugh and john for the murder of
Michael Conroy the 18th of December last The trial
of the elder brother Dennis proceeded with yestcr
trial i Wv r ''''''' '''(' 40 'S N''' ''p'-"''
Hon John McKeon and Edmon Blankman, ESQ.,, ap.
peared behalf Of the prisoners and the District At
tornty for the people.
The District Attorney in his opening address stated the
circumstances of the He sadMay il please the
Court, Gentlemen of the Jury--penns O'Connor, the
prisoner the bar stands charged with the murder OF
Michael Conroy With Dennis Connor were implicated
two others of the same name, Hugh and john The cir
One of the O'Connors believe Dennis was the propre-
tor of drinking shop in Fourteenth street, between
avenues and c, in the Eighteenth ward. The deceased
resided believe, somewhere in the neighborhood. At
all events the night Of the 18th of December last and
about midnight, in company with two companions of
tic shop the prisoner There he asked for something
TO drink. 1t poured out for him, but before the II
quor handed TO him O'Connor inquired whether he
would pay for it, Deceased replied that he had money
but that he would pay for it. The liquor then
angry conversation ensued but blows and at last in
company with of his companions he left the pre-
mecs The third one in endeavorng to get ont Kept
in the door being closed After the two had left the pre-
mil stone thrown against the door from the outside
shortly after, this followed by brickbat passing
through the sash or fan.lght above the door. Upon
this the prisoner seized single barreed fowling piece
and commenced loading it. The companion who in
told him not 10 do it, and begged him to allow him
out and he would get the party away; but Of the
O'Connors persons in the room, seized hold of him
and prevented his going out. The gun was deliberately
loaded lie door opened and one Of ahem-as under
stand the one now on trial-went through that door
advanced towards this young man. who was then leaving
going oil in side direction, presented this gun and de-
lberatey shot him dead The post norton examination
Of the body showed shot holes in the region of tho
side and hip and iron shot the Now am
not aware gentlemen, of any law human divine, that
allows the wanton taking Of human life when the person
is committing mere trespass. On the contrary my
legal education has taught me that such deeds
der. If the facts in this shall turn out they
your duty II bad enough to have our CITY infested as
it is without for every little rng offence consequent,
certainly as much on the part of those who deal out
these poisonous beverages as Of those who them
having life wantony taken where there has been per-
sonal injury inflicted and where there is danger
the person After hearing the evidence in this case and
such explanations may be furnished the part OF the
defence you then, gentlemen will &c called upon to dis
charge your duty.
Thomas Conroy sworn-Am the brother of deceased: nv
brother was twenty and month old at the time
of his DEATH he brckayer; boarded in Fourteenth
street between avenues and G.; O'Connor kept store
within two doors of where my brother boarded reside
in Brooklyn was there when heard of my brothers.
deaf H. the body about three O'Clock in the morning
of the same day in the place where he boarded
Cross ,examned-Am clerk with Patrick Hegerman,
Their was about month before he shot, the he
boarded with named Patrick Murphy he is aborer
layd ledgerwoodln December last boarded two doors
below OConnor's place; am machinist then work
ing with Philadelphia company in gas works did not
know Michael Conroy; him the night he shot on
the 18th Of December, about twelve o'clock was my
boarding house sitting with James Farrell and another
! young man Of the name of Charles; in the front
cd out saw John Hogan and person ascerained after
wards to be the deceased; went down stairs and Hogan
/ asked me to tale drink at 0Connor's; went in
+ with Hogan and deceased there other per.
son in our company; the door was shut We knock
ea at il ana Hugh oConnor opened it; found no one
/ else in Hugh ctonror called the landlord; mean
/ Tennis; Dennis then came out and deceased asked
fer something 70 drink he took glass his hand and
poured .ome LIQUOR into i from smsn CASH he kept
we glass in his hand and some words peAd about the
Ia5ment Tennis oConror asked Il he waxoing to pay,
otonror said he must he paid for it. and told him to 20
out Of his house he stood side little but did not
go out just then there was boy the barroom that
seemed 10 belong 10 the house, some angry words
passed between him and Hogan; then o'Connor came
from behind the har and told them to 90 cut Hogan
went out and said behind add said TO Dennis O'Con-
nor that he shouldn't have hard feelings for they
did not come in there to raise any disturbance to my
knowledge; Dennis said to that of the pary
outside and the door was closed and locked in;
Just tEen a stoLe brick against the door from
the outside; tried to get out but could not and went
the bar.room, and just as ] got there brickbat
came through the door into the barroom one
haooed ten for the gun; couldn't say which 1T was
II was in Tennis OConnors hands, standing behind the
bar he proceeded to load the gun while he loading
IL reached the counter and told him to be careful
and not fire IL of without thinking of what he about
Just then person caught me by the back of the neck
think It was John OConnor; he asked me If ! was rong
TO interiors; he said If said two words they would
trample on at that time another brickba
came against the door from the outside some one hal
ooeu men 70 ire the gun OF they went TO the door in
body there were seven eight in the house the
time the door was opened about one.third the gun
hIed nom ne outde whether they stood in the door
or out from 1t cannot say did not see the FASH after
that they came in and locked the door and some one
said "he' was shot, and would fire no more brclbats
me gun was hen loaded again can't say who brought in
the last time saw Il 1t in Dennis OConnors hands
shot bag was hanging above the on the wall
did not notice with what II was loaded (hero gun and
shot bag were produced in court and shown to wness
shot bag and gun resembed this after that was kept
there until the officers came the body of Conroy the
next morning.
sross.examncl-nont know where Hogan Is; saw him
last in Philadelphia did not him in New York after
boarding tbo
night Of the homicide was bright and clear; wc were
paid OIL on Saturday night; had not been out of the
house drank two glasses Of beer after supper can't re-
collect whether drank during the day not We were