The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-03-24
H NORwALK BANK CASE.

NORWALK BANK CASE.
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-" .sIction OF tho Prisoner-sontsnced to !,
Eight Years Hard Labor.
UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT.
Before Hon. Judge SmAly.
Marco 23-TAe United States w. james s. Wi1,iams-
The Court overruled the objections 10 the indictment
raised by the prisoners counsel.
The Judge in charging the jury gave succlnct history
Of the CASE the evidence clearly shows that the letter
containing note for 5000, direcled TO f. A. Williams,
was advertised and taken from the Post Office by
person; also appeared that brought the noe
altered from three months to two 10 Adams Express
Company, TO be transmitted 10 the Norwak Bank; has
been proved that the letter containing the note for
was sent TO Norwalk It very probable thai 1t the
person who took the note from the Post Once who
brought to Adams express, and the question <hether
the person who left the note ut Adams express the
same person who called and got tho money the 2th
December, entirely for the jury. yhc Court
!nen IeViewea inc M..mony Sncn iasnties the De-
parties than himself; Mrs NcMenomy stae that she
quested him 10 call occasion for advertised let
ter for her daughter but that for er another
he did get and she procured fro sucther SOURCE
The contends that the tee nds should
shown that he had been ca for
their letters and that the letter procured from the Post
Office not the addressed 10 +. A. Williams 4 was
important that the defendant sho shown
was at that time authorized by some ether person OF the
OF Williams TO call for letter In the absence OF
such testimony there Is str ing presumption against mis-
ber able TO 90 So With regard In the witnesses having
former occasion ident lied RCary Williams and
the preseyt trial Identifying the defendant matter
for the jury to say On watch occasion they correct
whether they were m staken 10 both and that tbs
government have not yet got the right Taking this
evidence as stands with the previous mistake, the jury
ever rhey believe the witnesses tor the government
theIsesent trial. Chen there strong proof that the
spopdent the person who obtained the letter from the
Post once and subsequently received the money from
Adsms' Express. The defendants counsel Claim that
they have - shaken the testimony OF Identification
that the prosecution are not entitled TO a verdict
Seine comment has been made by the defence
the conduct Of the not procuring the
tendance Of Henry Williams and Mr. Bxby Of the Nor.
walk Bank but these considerations should very lit
tie weight with the jury in coming TO conclusion 10
the guilt or innocence Of the accused The government
claim that previous to this transaction the defendant
poor, and that he suddenly became rich On other
hand the respondent claims that he had money
and policy dealer tells them that be had paid the de-
PENDANT much $3.50 during the month OF November
they also bring testimony 10 that the respondent
was In business, dealing in casks and other things, aud
that he had money at that time; they have also intro
duced testimony that previous TO this transaction the de-
PENDANT with roll OF bills amounting 81 800
$4,000; for jury to say whether they we're
satisfied OF that they also adduce testimony that the de-
isnaan' had dealings ,h in sewing machines appears
$3.50 in the Bo~ery Savings Bank, 81 800,
in the Citizens Bank and subsequently 81 500 the
from the Bowery Savings Bank he made deposit
S54 It's claimed by the government and not denied
py the defend8nt that John Srltton lodged tho
ney in the Bowery Savings Bank and the
the same person. then is claimed for the defence that
the Assuming OF the name Of Brnton occasioned by
the fact that he had obtained the money illegally by otte
ry policies which prohibited by law, aud afraid
TO locge the money in his 1t for the jury
to say whether this explanation was satisfactory. The
Judge referred 70 the umony of Mrs McMensny who
testified that the respondent Did leave the
several days about the Of taking of this letter
from the Poet Oice but claim that they
clearly conradiced this pretended a6i by the two Mess
Collins, M. Jackson Jackson, Mr.. Lameroux aud The
jury had heard the testimony and the comments
OF counsel, and they would judge of the facts.
IT not the province the tight the duty
Court to whether the respondent not out
at the tme was pecuhayth province OF the jury
skrg al the facts OF the case they would say whether
they believe the respondent guilty not regardless Of
the consequences
10 answer COUNSEL The Judge referred to his minutes
and Instructed the jury in one or two points TIE jury
retired at hspast eleven O'Clock and at twelve O'Clock
entered the court with a verdict Of guilty.
The prisoner received the verdict with feelings Of
The Juege 'd-Genemen, You will please accept the
thanks OF the Court for your attention to this long aud
dious case. You are discharged until Monday morning
Mr. Ridgway asked pospsaensnt of the sentence, In
order 70 give time 70 make a hill Of exceptions
The Sadse refused the motion, as the objections were
The prisoner then asked what be bad 10 say why
sentence should not be pronounced against him,
Williams replied excited msuner and declared
bis Innocence before God He spike OF his family difficult
ties and aged his wife with being untrue to him, hsv
ing left his Sne and deserving Der CHILDREN the Youngest
q hon vas ooly three weeks old Gt the time. He begged
OF The Cou 70 suspend sentence until he had made
settlement 'or his aged mother, her death bed
apo his thee children thrown the mercy OF the world
&c wss Innocent; put the government should ga
crbce They ought be ed for they bad got five
The prisoner WINS proceeding about hss wife ana family
afa,re, when he WAS stepped be the Court.
The Judge IN ass sentence the prisoner said that
the Court tuly conGured In the verdict the Jury In
deed be did not how consistently with their oaths
and the evidence hey could have Otherwise tnan
convict him The manner In which the crime was COM
United showed great deliberations and skhul sohemipr
The prisoner had been ably by COUNSEL but the
Jury we're Sonvieced Of s guilt and the Court concurred
Law 10 that you be imprisoned al hard labor Ia Sing Sing
fer the term OF eight years
Isle prisoner removed.
CHARGE OF MURDER ON THE HIGH SEAS.
Edinond Mae,, master Of the ship John Cottle was
arIapned for the murder Of John Perry, mate or the
weasel, and pleaded not guilty. Remanded.
CHARGE OF REVOLT AT SEA.
henry Johuson and four others OF the OF the brig
HuumiDg Bird, arrsiRned and pie AIDED not guilty. 70
q charge Of revolt Remanded.
SENTENCED TO SING SING FOR FIVE YEARS.
John w. Curtis, miseraoly clad young man, convicted
Of passing counterfeit money Knowing to be such was
sentenced 10 five years. Imprisonment hard labor in
Sing Sing
The pr soner on being removed said sIn be used 10 IL
by that time -
ANOTHER SENTENCE FOR STEALING LETTERS.
.Dabiel ii Palmer, genteel looking young man. who
letter boxes attached the lamp posts was asked what
he had TO say why sentence should not be passed upon
him
Palmer replied ha. he had to say that he was guilty OF
the offence and he truly sorry for H. When he vas
caught be conefsed IT, and elinquhed eyerythingAo the
Pott Office, even SI4 Of his lie had been tempted
to use the key OF the boxes when the employ OF the
contractor Il his fret offence and he hoped that his
previous good character and bis wife children would
make some consider alton in the mind Of the Court II
were suspended he would promise 70 leave the
country and lead holy ana righteous life elsewhere
The Judge, 10 passing sentence said that Palmer hal
been indicted for stealing letters from the Post Office and
had pleaded guilty thus saving time and expense 10 tho
government Yopr case is which appeals 10 the SYM
PATTY OF the Court you ask that SUSPENDED
nn' theie 70 pardopiDg power in the Conrt-that be-
ofes 10 another power But We have discretion aud
We are opposed to be enent The highest penalty award
ca Tor the csnce is ten years. prsonment-tne lowest
two years The sentence OF the Court is thai YOU be
IMPRISONED for two years and six month";
Jhe Court adjourned 10 Monday when il will bs opened
o5 Juoee Befs Judge Smsiy leaves town, but will re.
'uI to lake up the calendar the FIRST Tuesday in April
Marine Court
BEFORE Hon. Judge Aiker and Jury.
WRITING BY A soaoOLMAsrsR