The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-08
Kings County Court Of Oyer and Termlner.

Kings County Court OF Oyer and Termlner.
Before Hon. Judge Rockwell presiding Hon. H. A.
Moore County Judge and Justices stwell and Syker.
TRIAL OF RICHARD BRENNAN FOR THE MURDER OF
MICHAEL KORAN.
MARCH THE trial Of this prisoner was commenced
this morning in the Kings County Court Of Oyer and
the 30th Of last December, he shot named Michael
Koran, who in prisoners barr the Of
First and North Second streets, williamsburg and with
others engaged in scufe. Brennan in his endeavors
to quiet the disturbance brought gun up stairs
and pointing to deceased the charge exploded, causing
The following jury cmpannecd to try the CASE
William Bunting William smonson, Alexander DAWSON,
Henry Boerum, David G. Cartright Edward Charmon,
Joseph Dunderdale Peter L. Kowenhoven, George W.
Lee Lawrence Wood Francis G. Kirby Horatio A. Carter
Ex-Judge Morse ex-Judge Soper, and N. P. O'Brien,
Eq appeared counsel for the prisoner and R. c. Un
derhill, Esq., District Attorney, and j. WInslow Assist
ant District Attorney conducted the for the
cution
Mr. Underhil, in his opening remarks to the Jury de-
tailed the circumstances and of the death OF Ho-
that deceased entered the porter house
the 30th Of December with other companions and after
paraking of drinks scufAe ensued between the bar
keeper and one John Murphy, who was drunk. About
this time prisoner down stairs and endeavored
restrain the parties In the of that endeavor he
failed to use force to eject the dsurbers which
he had legal right to do, but instead went to closet
and took sword which does appear that he used
but returning it he left the barroom went up stairs
brought musket loaded with powder and shot or balls
and he came in cooked and advanced to Michael Ho
Without word or remark he pressed the muzze Of
the gun against him, and by some means II was dis
charged and he fell dead The defendant repaired TO the
police court time after that and gave himself into
custody. The law bearing upon the case was then ex
planned and the examination of witnesses was COM
menced.
william McDonough sworn-I resided in Williamsburg
the 3Oth of December last; know defendant; never
knew him before that night knew deceased, Michael Ho
ram in his house the night Of the 30th Of Deem
Der last about nine o'clock Brennans house at the
Of North Second and First street. belleve wa
there also about ten O'Clock night; Robert Coyl
and Thomas McDonoueh we're with US; Brennan kept
public house; the barroom the corner all wen
in together when into the the bar tende
and George Murphy there Michael Koran said tina
ii right place to have drink, could sit dow
by the stove and drink at leisure Murphy was sit
ting the barr took seats the stove and tn
barkeeper sat down with the stove the bar
had drinks deceased told the barkeeper to give us
glass of beer apiece did not see George Murphy drin
beer; the barkeeper drank with us; think were en-
gagged in conversation about the stove when the bareep
interfered and Robert Ayres said it none Of hi
business at all they went to fighting before they stopped
II mean Robert Ayres and Murphy.
he other witnesses in the here directed
leave the during the examination of this witness
Resumed-I don't know how ii commenced; | saw
Ayres strike Murphy; the rest Of the party were muss
ing' Michael Koran sat Murphy down in chair Ayres
went back towards the door towards North First the
rest Of us were In the house; Koran said Murphy
shouldn't have any fight Murphy tried to raise to fight
Brennan down at this time; he out of a room
behind the bar. Diagram shown. Witness cannot point
out position Of parties from dagram Brennan came in
from the door leading to the back roohe door oppo.
than one door there did not hear Brennan saw ANYTHING
when he in; saw him going to where Koran and
Murphy were they between the stove and the BAR
did not see Brennan do anything; facing Koran
and Murphy; did not hear Brennan say anything he
went in between Koran and Murphy, and turned my
back; when ! turned he had his hands Koran
and Murphy's shoulders he then went in after
sword; went behind the bar and came back
with his sword in his hand; II in a sheath he drew
it, and waved II his head two or three times he
stood opposite the door he about three four feet
from Murphy and Koran; Murphy, think, down;
Koran said nohng saw Robert Ayres next outside,
the sill Of the door he had two bottles In his hand when
b. ourhed the sword he stood the door dom know
what kind of bottles Ayre had don't know where he got
them Ayres said, Look out what you are going to do
with that sword-if you do''thst was the last Thcard
him say went in behind the barr he did nothing more
with the sword; my brother then talking with Muir
ply and Koran were going out; looked back aud
Brennan coming SAID Mike here ne Is with ia again
came back with the gun probably or three
minutes; he carried the gun one hand midway the
barrel the other the stock II double barreled
gum don,t know whether II was cooked; Brennan went
right straight to uosan b held tas gSa atsssht xhsp