New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-09-25
EXAMINATION BEFORE JUSTICE WELSH.

EXAMINATION BEFORE JUSTICE WELSH.
The examination before Justice Welsh of James
Stephens on charge of having occasioned the death
Of his wife by poisoning, WAS resumed yesterday ait
ernoon. when in the absence OF the Misses Bell, the
prosecution called another witness whose testimony is
given below.
As the examination proceed, It increases in interest
and attracts larger attendance in Court. On Monday
afternoon the Misses Bel will be subjected to
amina alton, when additional developments
in the case will probably be elected.
VIM Knox examined by Mr.. Shaffer-Q. Where
do YOU reside A. board at No. 80 Water street.
z. Did you know Mrs. Sophi" stephens IN her me-
time : A. Yes, Sir.
Q. DO you know Dir. James Stephens A. Yes,
Sir.
O. Prior to the desth Of Mrs. Stephens you in
thu, habit of visiting Mr.. Stephens? A. l wss.
Q. Did you ever hear him say anything IL relation
TO his wife,
Mr. Busted here rose and remarked that read.
ing the affidayits Of these two women, Sophia and
Fanny Bell he perceived that great portion OF each
affidavit was devoted to narration Of alleged acts Of
cruelty or rather Of unklndne-s on the part OF MIR.
Stephens toward his deceased wife; that If the pro-
posed Il ,timouy be admitted il woud only be admit
led 10 show a subsequent murder from preceding I'M
kindness and difficulties in the marital relations OF
those parties; that the character ct the domestic rea-
tions II pertincnt al all il would he pertinent only To
-how in the mind of Stephens sufficient motive 70
commit the greatest crime known IN the law lie dd
not understand whether this witness WAS an inhabtant
Of the same house or same family. but he apprehenled
tina, lis testimony would not be- of That nature that
could be relied on as showing any connection between
the treatment Of Mrs. Stephens by her husband II
would 90 far in making up public Judgment against
Mr.. stephens, and objected to The question a'kru tue
witness. 4. -. 4,
IT.. Court directed that the question ought TO be
answered. 1t was therefore repeated
O. Did you ever hear Mr.. Stephens gay anything IN
relation to biz wife a. Well there was something
said by him once, while were walking together he
told NE that he was about IL leave her.
o. About how long before her death was II that he
told you this A. | cannot tell. to the best OF my
knowledge should think some tSo or three months;
O. State 10 the best of your knowledge, all he SAID
on That occasion. a. ! don't know anything else. .
o. Did YOU ever hear him say anything with regard
~ the state ot MS mind IN relation to his wife a.
No, sir.
long were you conversing together on that occasion
a. l don't remember. go
o. Where did you 90 from and where to, while you
were conversing with Mr.. stephens a.. To the best
of my knowledge We walked some i've Oh sA OocAs
from his house.
Q. During the walk, how much time consumed
in talking about his sie a. could not answer that
o. Were you in the habit ofyistng his house prior
to the death Of his wife A. We. in the habit OF
4 going there.
! g. Do you know Sophia Bell, who va. living there
at the time Of Mr.. stephens dea A. les, sI,
| ". lld Won Nl-t MY. Stephen, lyAre oi-e- 49,
! death If li- wife A. Yes. sir.
| O. Was Sophia Bel living there while you we're .
/ the habit Of visiting the house A. Yes, sir.
| Question objected to by counsel for detehse
Nh shatier, IN reply, said think that Mr.
Stephen. accelerated the death OF his VIE Win q
view Of making Sophia Bell hl7 second wIie We
therefore wish to show the state O his mind On tns
| subject at the time.
Dir. Busteed and ex-Attomey General Gushing. both
spoke in opposition to the admission OF the te-'hon!
pr..Posed. ., IN,
part 81 Mr. Stephens for getting nd oil hls VII, a.
done in the case If Mr.. Chapman, tired ior tu.
murder q her husband. in which L was shown tiia'
she married the young spasiari IN some three OF iYui
month. after the murder OF her husband, Nhlon
! created suspicion; that on the body OF ne.
! husband were found traces Of arsenic, ahi j,
| wac subsequently, ascertained that the spsul'.i
had puTcha quantity O' Arsenic ior the P'of
purpose 81 preserving birds. II Was hhs"lse sH"Y,
that there had been aet- Of intimacy between .nr
SpaHiard and Mrs. Chapman about the tihe .. 81 "a
| CLapmer> death. In tina. case, testimony @ zoe o.
uitted 10 show the motive of Mrs. Chapman L"S -
ting nd az her husband in order TO marry "
lard. IL this case we wish to show rh1 MI d
bectme suddenly tired o. bis wife aHd tha' nc
marked and improper and indecent al en'inhr -
Bel III me,iat.y after the death ot nh w'tr' - a.
ter The purpose of null.ylng anything .u:
against him. a letter which Sophia hah e"'n n. 80
writing 10 her friends in Ireland reprsthths .u'' ~
death # their aunt vas yer. unral1si s,,ar.
taken from the room and Stephens imiieni'.I! =. -.
ward toR or that II she said arythihg a. -.
mahnsr %. wife death, he wouh RUN me- - :. b.
acter, a.. ~. mean by this witness - -hvN ~,
/ net only ut rid of h- wife who was 10 fea,- -
than himself hut also that 10 get another 10 SSi
Younger than himself, be resorted 20 lou ul' s"'
| Court decided To admit the proposed estie,.. hiot
q. Did YOU observe any particular s''rn' ' -
Nj. stephen, paid to sophia Be. When you "A