New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-10-26

sobools who Jaw the body; the body was in a remark
able state Of preseryation-ths uterus and inside OF
,be n,es,ines re- and the color Of the blood not de-
etroyed every surgeon would attribute The preserva-
ton to the influence Of arsenic
The TESTIMONY being closed, the Coroner proceeded
at considerable lergth to up the case. He said it
yss seldom thst coroner and his jury were csed
npon to investigate a Of such singular interest
and importance the present. Ga the I'd OF sept
1851 tie death Of Mrs. Sophia Stephens took place in
this city, under very suspicious circumstances. Ex
actly year thereafter, her remains were exhumed
from Greenwood Cemetery, and given into the hands
/ Of chemists for an6Iyza,ioD. When we commenced
this INQUEST the poisoning of the deceased had
only 4, sumed the aspect Of suspicion. 1t
are ued from The extraordinary state of preservation
in which the body found that some metallic poison
must have been administered. But beyond tbis, ard
few other suspicious circumstances We had nothing
TO work upon We in a measure grCping about
in the dark, with 10 light to guide to the right
10 the left o. straight forward. Bat now there is no
longer any doubt or obscurty what was before but
suspicion has at last become confirmed fact. The
zeIort Of the distinguished chemist to whom l
entrusted the analyzation OF the body, laces the
fact of poisoning beyond all doubt and reduces
orr inquiry TO the simple question of . who adj
ministeIed the arsenic by which the death of Mrs.
Sophia Stephens was undoubtedly occasioDedl'
The Coroner then proceeded to review and comment
upon the evidence elected from the several witnesses
during the course Of the investigation.
. Coroner Connery concluded bis charge as follows:
" have thus, gentlemen al the Juf ts Oflciy rs
the importance OF the would ad nit, passed Ia re-
| view all the essential features Of the testimony.
have eIdeavorsd calmly and dspassionatey to lay the
case in it's true light before Won, to anayze the evil
derce correctly, and 70 draw the just and logical con-
! cusion from admitted and wel-estabished premises
! Nv duty is now completed; the most solemn and i'm
pOtant part Of yours from this moment begins Con-
slider carefully therefore the testimony which has oeen
presented to you; weigh particularly and atienyely
every title of the evidence and let Your verdict
whatever it may be, be in accordance with yonr hon
est belief and CONVICTIONS IT, after mature deloera-
ton you to the conclusion that the evidence has
failed to fix the guilt upon the party suspected your
verdict should be found accordingly. But If, on the
other land you beive from what you have heard and
seen as Jurors that James Stephens, the husband OF
the deceased woman, did procure poison and "lekedy
administer the same his wife during her last Illness,
thereby causing acceerating her death et no con.
alteration deter yon fIom bringing in verdict ~
condemnation against the prisoner. Remember
that eympathy or mercy in such case
would be as much o1t OF place as a hasty
ard unjust judgment Remember that you 90 no, ny
him for his hfe--your verdict Is not nnal-but only
holds him for the action of the Grand Jury aud the
last trial by twelve of his countryinen kemsInoer,
also that justice to the murdered woman requires the
life If the guilty party an atOnement and that the
stability of society demands that an example should DC
made to deter Others from similar oenses II is high
time for feelings Of false sympathetic give place to the
considerations Of strict duty and the public good.
Heaven forbid that should be the means OF condemn
ing any one uniusty, but cannot help reminding you
gentlemen that crime exists to an alarming extent in
midst, that gredt zeal oI u,
chargeoble to the false sympathy of the jury box
Do then your duty honestly and fearessy, so that
when you will have finished your abors no one may
be able to accuse you Of not being just as well as ne-
cif but be careful lest in your anxiety 10 visit the
guilty party with deserved punishment you allow yonr
selves 10 be carried away BY the prompngs OF pas
sion and prejudice rather than by the sober deductions
Of your reason and judgment, With these oosefya-
tons gentlemen Of the jury, now commit the case
TO your decision
Tie Jury then retired and, after absence OF an
hour, returned aud rendered the following verdict;
owe, the Jury, do believe, according to the evil
dence, that the deceased came to her death from
poison admiuist. red TO her by her husband, James
Sephers during the month Of Septe mber 1857, In the
house No. 100 East Twenty'seventh street, Ntw-fork
City"
F. Mead Nehemiah Peek, Francis Reynolds, Nathan
lei Terpely Waldo Philips, Patrick Henry, John
Zaur Edward Willis, Geo. ii. Jones. Francis Morgan
J,hn Disco.
The Coroner, after thanking the Jury for their at
tention discharged them and then called the prisoner
before him and took bis examinston. as follows:
Ia,n.. s,ephens being duly e-.ruiuod bonno the
undersigned according to law, the annexed charge
and being informed that he was at liberty to answer oil
not all any questions put TO num- states Us ouo"s
/ , o. What is your name A. James Stephens.
O. How old are you A. 81 or 81 years, don
exactly know.
O. Where were you borr1 A. Ireland.
9. Where do you livel A. No. leo East Twenty
Q. What is your occupation a. Laborer in o
coach factory.
O. Have goa anything to say ard if SO, what rela-
tive to the charge here preferred against you A.
All that have to say is that have got foul play by
you looking direct at the Coroner; don't blame the
Jury.
Coroner Conuery much excited)-What are You
abusing me for have none of that Sir ask you
what you have got 10 say relative to the charge
against youare you guilty or Lot guilty relative to
the charge preferred against you What is your
answer
Pdsouer-Weu. deny the charge against me lad
dressing himself to the Coronerl you aid not give me
fair play; gave you tue names of several witnesses,
; and you would not send for them.
Coroner greatly excitedl-Do you hear that OH.
Ger take this man away. viii not listen 10 his abuse
Two officers seized the prisoner ard were about
taking him away when reporter reminded the Coro-
per that the examination had not been signed
Coroner suddenly reco'lecting and becoming more
calmI-Here, officers, bring back the prisoner TO
the prsoner.l Here, sign this. Have you nothing
nOre to say
Prisoner have said all that ia necessary. shall
say nothing more unit. gee my council.
Coroner think that is the most prudent course
Won could take.
Prisoner--When the case comes 20 fuel trial, my
witnesses viii all be subpenaed and examined, and
then the Jury will whether | am wrongfully
charged or not
The history Of tits case, thus far, has been re-.
markable one, and the prominent points will bear
repetition.
Oae dsy, about the middle Of September last a
young man named Robert Bel was arrested,
warrant issued b. Justice Welsh, for attempt to
shoot Stephens with pistol. The. pistol was loaded
with two balls one Of which is said to have rolled out
before he pistol discharged ard the other, owing,