New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-22
4jlF TRIAL or JOIN B. ROBERTSON
A CHARGE OF WIFE POISONING.
TILE TESTIMONY AND THE tRGUAiESTSOF COT "
sFI-4COtITTAL OF THE DEFENDANT.

TIE TESTIMONY AND THE AR''lsh IL of tot "
sEL--ACQuITTAL OF THE DEFENDANT.
This extraordinary case which has excited intense
;,terest in Rochester from the high responsibility OF
The parties and the hitherto unbemshed reputation OF
Mr. Robertson Cashier of the Eagle Bank there, and
who, offer n residence of many years. had acquired
the general respect and confidence of the whole COM
munity, il now progressing In That city. =, l.,o.-
The trial was commenced on Tuesday the 18th.
The Jury completed, and the Dstrlct-Attofhey
opened the case III the afternoon. AS an e2 parte
statement il bears heavily against Mr.. Robertson
The main facts recited by the prosecution are that
Mrs. Robertson, up to gear ago last tal fsd EN-,
loved good health. She then had q limb broken, and
wac Frustrated for some time: subsequently, the
elder Biegler arrested and brought to Buffalo Tor
trial on the charge of manslaughter We quote IRON
Mr. Husons speech:
interest In the case of this physician-Dr Bieger;
That interest was powerful persistent strong, beyond
adequate motive; he went 10 the ponce once ana 81
feeed bail for his release from custody, and orough
everything in his power bear TO secure his discharge
from confinement. In course of time that man was
convicted-this defendant standing by him wit oney
and influence, expanding, it is SAID or s?oo az
a time TO procure his acquita. When DIR. Blegle
gets to Auburn defendant follows him there, meeting
him several times to consult While there, he gets
prescriptions for Mrs. Robertson"
M Husons argument contains nothing further, ex-
cept such facts statements as are developed 10 the
evidence.
The CHIEF accuser and witness behalf OF the Peo-
PIE is Joseph Biegler, young physician, son to the
DR. Beger who was some time since sent TO the STATE
Prison for abortion. The young man charges Mr..
= Robertson point blank with entering into regular
compact with him TO kill his wife by administering to
her medicines calculated 10 bring on congestion OF
the brains and stated that Mr. Robertson offered IN the
first place to MD him DR. Begler) IN paying Oh
mortgage on his house, and to furnish him with mo-
Bey as be might require il, 10 help him on.
That in subsequent interviews Robertson had com
planned TO him that his life was miserable; he had
thought of suicide; his wife trouble to him, aud
witness related several scenes OF matrimonial lnelclty
described to him by defendant That defendant and
witness went to Auburn together to see the prisoner
Begler and the way back the proposition OF u
slow death for Mrs. Robertson was opened.
The proposition Of defendant To witness was that he
should administer to Mr.. Robertson such medicines
would gradually put her out OF the way. This
witness objected to, and defendant offered terms.
IL is unnecessary to recapitulate his repeated plead
ing with Robertson TO give up the plan Robertson
tears and arguments the consultation OF witness with
Dr. Havil (unother Homeopathy, who advised hun
10 go on and develop the crime hs subsequent asking
Of advce from Mr.. Mckay and the District Attor-
ney al resulting in plan to trap Mr.. Robertson INTO
IN interview where others should overhear the con-
yersation.
Those i've individuals at different times intro
duccd into Bieglers house and secreted where they
could overhear conversation, though not see tue
parties, and confederate, to great extent the tact OF
overheariDg conversations which might be made TO
appear 10 substantate Joseph Biegers statements.
The case for prosecution rested here.
hr. Martindale, opening the defense, alluded TO
The TACT that the several witnesses who concealed
Tor the purpose of overhearng conversations alleged
TO have taken place between Joseph Bieger and Mr..
Robertson at Begler's house. went there biased and
prepared 10 refer every word spoken to the single idea
Of a design OF Robertson to induce DIR r. IN murder
Mrs. Robertson, and to favor such impression DIR r.
had the opportunity OF framing the conversation
That the domestic relations OF the Robertsons were
totally the of what was stated by Begler and
that ever since their marriage they have lived ON the
most affectionate and kindest terms. Beger had
stated that he visited his father nj Auburn only once
In Ell weeks or two months, but his sister had sworn
his visits were as often once IN two weeks. That
eighteen OF twenty years ago, Bleger, senior and
Robertson, when Robertson came To Rochester, IRON
Georgia, lived in the same house. ate al the same
table and had their rooms adjoining. That Robertson
beDgsick Bieger senior prescribed Tor him. vi course
Beger then learned that Robertson came from Ceof-
goa, and from this source Joseph Begier galhcu the
Information upon which he based the Georgia story
When Mrs. Robertson, after her accident, was lying
IN The most imminent danger, II would be SHOWN 'a'
night and day Mr.. X. attended her with the most un-
renting and afectionate attention, when, iroh a
mornen,ss neglect she might have tainted on forever.
Ina; the medicines administered 10 Mrs *. had 'heh
baiural medical effects and all right anu proper
~ 20 the interest evnced by Mr.. X. in obtaining the
re'ease OF DIR. Begler, senior, bail, IN Bufao,
wood De shown that II al the earnest solicitation
Of uTe. H. both 10 Mr. H. and her brother MIR. Roswell
BeDedict-.hat they interfered as Mrs. Robertson de-
carec mat Dr beger's medicines were the only once
which had been OF any benefit 10 her and that from
then beng exhausted, she felt herself much worse
and that she could not &c, his advice she felt the,
sht could never Ilse ron her bed. The evidence had
disclosed that Robertson had advanced from - 600 10
y 500 and Joseph BiegeT attempts 70 show tina. Il
we because Robertson had seduGed Emile MUIR that
he bad expended this sum under the Obligations be
va eDcer 20 D,. h. seDOr On ttSt acc0Uri b.; It.;