New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-15
THE SUPPOSED MURDER OF A COL
ORED MIN.
MYSTERY SOLVED.

TIE FATAL BLOW GIVEN IN sELf-DEfENsE.
The m, stery which surrounded the death of James
Roberts the colored man who was found PROSTATE on
the sidewalk in front of the Asor House. bleeding aud
suAeriprf ntwo stabs which he had RECEIVED under
the right arm, at the hands of some person then I'M
known has been cleared up by the arrest of the pepe
traitor, Mr. M. L. Phillips, reputed doctor, having an
office at No. - Chambers street.
ABBOTT o. O'Clock on Wednesday evening Officer
Bel of the Sixth Ward, while on duty, saw Mr. Ph'
lip- on the corner Of Chambers street and City Hall
place evidently somewhat excited and wping his face
Tho officer at tho same time discovered blood on bis
hands when the officer said, halo doctor, have you
been in NUS" to which Mr.. Phillips replied,
"Yes a little; when passing the corner OF Ann and
Nassau streets l was attacked by two white men and
negrc." At the same time he drew from sheath
concealed under his coat large dirk knife, and said
'bu for tbst they would have killed me-" DIR. Phil
lips did not say at that time that he had stabbed any
one, nor did the officer know at that time that Mr.
Phillips had stabbed the deceased.
The doctor then passed along about his business and
nothing more was thought of the occurrence till the
following morning. when Officer Bell read IN HE
TRIsuNT of the death of Roberts by stabbing.
In moment he suspected that the deceased
had been stabbed by Mr.. Phillips, and forthwith pro-
tceded TO the Office OF the latter IN Chambers street,
and after waiting there till 10 O'clock the doctor
up and was arrested. lie betrayed considerable emo
ton on beng taken into custody and making partial
Confesson to the officer, said he stabbed the man in
seif-defense. a. he had been assaulted by the men
Mr. Philips was then conducted to the Sixth Ward
Station House after which Oficer Bell went 70 the
Office Of Er. Phillips aud arrested his clerk, Sinclair
Lhbgow.
Coroner Connery was notified and yesterday after.
noon rcpa red 10 the Third Ward Station House No. 70
Warren street. and held inquest on the body of the
deceased. The following named gentlemen were i'm
psnneed to act as Jurors: John +. Seymour, WIN. NJ
stout, William Wallace Edward Lothian, William C..
Thompson, John Il. Johnson j. ID. Wickham, T. Nc
Gam. John Campbell, Thomas Doubleday, Wn. b.
Frelgb. II. M. I.sndiy.
Thomas Bell. being duly sworn, deposes and says-l
am police officer sached 70 the Sixth Precinct la'
about ~ 0ciok duty the Of Chanoers ste
aud City Hall place the roundsmhD. Mr.. BMy Tapped me
S.n' 70 500 pr Bsiy I'D the P,i.onsr MI rnuP 70. Ma
WHIT 10 the matter have been In MUS he Tcped
ios little. he then said. AS was going down Nassau
s met i've bite aud and they would nave
f.d oe but fI this klitc Al the same time Pn!hns ditA
hDe Ton bic Pocid You did not that knife said l. he
Irhed No. hut when they the knife they scIos.
S ;S: the As'or HOe:e aud eted stop thief Lost
o2eT; wen .sw he inicr, said. Doctor you must
sse I'd thi, kmfs a. there Is blood on IT," he r-phed
ho then AK me 70 wax up Chamber. with him. aud he
toe M TO havn an eyeto h Office he said they hs did not
az who w9S1 s'isrk walled with hiu to hi; Office which
ss unocked and eG>ed In heard about Il ill this
visa con ajed hs Philip Lsd stabbed the deceased, Then
ave. ChsaAs s aud s'rci III pri'oae, aud took him