The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-07
Trial OF ANN Maria Dorching, for tho Muir.
der OF her Child.
COURT OF OYER AND TERMISER.
Before Hon. Judge Roosevelt.

Before Hon. Judge Roosevelt.
AFRiL 4.-The Court met this morning at 10 o. clock.
Anna Maria Dorchng charged with the murder Of her
cniid by blow from Ratchet in February last, was
placed at the bar
Nathan star J. Rogers, VIM ii. Conkln, Richard Roby,
Henry c. Sperry, Joseph Marshall Lawrence Martin,
Thomas prallman Nathan Camp, Ritter Iladley Hiram
Loser John L. Greene.
The District Attorney in very few words placed the case
before the Jury He said the circumstances OF the
exhibited strong symptoms of insanity the part of the
prisoner, and the evidence adduced would point out
whether she IN insane state of mind at the
time of committing the deed.
Mr.. G. W. Crambacht, being duly sworn, deposed
as follows Il reside at No "a Stanton street am a
segar maker by trade acquainted with the person
her husbands business that of tailor he lived in
Stanton street also; ] don't know the number.
q. What part of the house did he live inf A. In the
back basement went to the house for the purpose Of
seeing him on the 18th or 18th Of the month on
and the child lying her knees she told me her hus
band was up stairs went up stairs but came down
again. and asked if he would be in soon; she said yes
she had the child all this time on her knee.
Q Did it appear to be asleep? A. The eyes shut
Q-was there any injury to be about the childy
ANo, it not injured bit; went out of the
for FIVE six minutes, and when returned found her
On the outside of the door, sitting on the steps.
On what position, A-she was sitting in that
ny posture; did not speak to her them but she was
saving Oh! my child-my little daughter = in German;
the child was lying in the basement, and heard him
crying the woman then went up stairs, and thought
she was going for her husband on goag into the base
ment, found the child with a Ratchet lying by him all
covered with blood then went up stairs into the first
room and found her sitting there.
Q-Dd she say thing up stairs9 A.-No; three or
four Observation-Disclosures sitting there told woman
there what had seen; spoke SO that they could all
hear me in German; they were all Germans.
Cross examined had known the prisoner before that
day and been there three or four times
DR.. John c. Covl sworn-I am the physician of the
city prison. and have been for the last eight
years have belonged to the medical profession for
twenty years. know the prisoner and recoect the time
when she was committed to prison.
@ What was her condition at that timer A. She
somewhat sick and deeply melancholy. she is a
Of very low intelligence for her Glass; she has been
melancholy since and has been to laugh
or smile; she VIII stand in one position for hours, and
when spoken to will not answer she still imagnes that
her child alive have also noticed in her sleepessness
@ What is your opinion as to her present state of
sound my attention has been repeatedly called to her
To the Court-she is, believe incompetent to carry
on defence to the charge of murder.
Mrs. Foster maron of the female department of the
prison. deposed that the prisoner had been under her
charge since her imprisonment for four five days
gether she had refused to eat and they had considerable
difficulty to get her out of bed in the mornng she
swered no questions addressed to her.
What is your opinion in regard to her present state
OF mindY A. think she is insane.
His Honor-Have there been any indications of arfce
discovered her part? a. None that could discover;
watch was put upon her.
His Honor directed that the prisoner should be asked
whether she understood what was going
The question put but reply given. The
woman appeared to be in stupid state almost amount
ing to insensbility.
The Court in charging the jury, said the only question
in this if the prisoner Of sound mind. The
prosecution could not go on if she were found insane
but If she should recover at any future time and the Dis
trct Attorney fit to bring the ee up again. it could
be tried anew.
The jury found verdict of insanity without leaving
aheir seats.
The woman was directed to be taken to Blackwell's
Island.
The Court then adjourned to Wednesday morning, at