The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-17

Trial OF William Keefe for the Homicide
of John Abrams.
COURT or GENERAL SESSIONS.

of John Abrams
COURT or GENERAL SESSIONS.
Before Judge Russell
Yesterday the trial of VIM Keefe CHARGED with killing
John Abrams in East Twelfth street. commenced.
There was no culty experienced in procuring jury.
Assistant District Attorney Bedford opened the cae
follows
Youn Hoyox AND GssrIEMEr or yURY-Willlam
Keefe the prisoner at the bar, has been indicted
by the Grand jury for the crime or murder in the
first degree being charged with having wiifully and
Iiconsly taken the life OF John Abrams the night OF
the 5th OF June last Before relating the facts in this
case which are brief OF sad and painful nature
becomes necessary for me define what murder H.
that you may readily follow the evidence ~ II
will 30 developed upon the trial Murder IN law means
the killing OF a human being with malice asorethought;
TO constitute MURDER therefore, the killing must DO pre-
meditated wilfu and malicious II matters not in law
fore The fatal blow Is dealt or whether the intent be
oeyed for DAYS Gentlemen In the before you the
people will prove that the evening OF the 9TH day OF
June about ten o'clock the prisoner standing in
mont OF The premses No $50 East Twelfth street. In this
cty and We shall show that he had been generally abu
sye his language and other ways 70 the passsrs BY
The people viii prove that the deceased urged by the
kindest motive and anxious 20 shield the prisoner from
the consequences Of his mpfndent conduct approached
him. and demonstrated in calm and friendly manner
aganst his rudeness, admonishing him Of its impro-
priety, and begging him ia gcntlc words 70 desist
We will also show that instead OF needing this advice
In the same phiIanthr0pc spirit in which was given,
che prisoner II nerved 70 mischief instantly drew
forth knife and plunged deep nto the bowels o. me
poor man. whose object was one OF pure Oehevolen"eI
whose only impulse 70 do good act and rescue tho
was suddenly struck from earth, and died in his own
gore sIife but rallied for the instant, ~ the light
fickes up In the waning taper Here, gentlemen Q.
and the kindhearted husbandman who carried 70 his
home the CONCEALED ANIMAL gave II shelter, gave 1t
warmth and restored Its vitality and In return the ser
pent Infused the poison Of death into the veins Of ts
benefactor Gentlemen have given you the brief but
painful detail, Of this case t. they Dc proved Is am
be reasonable doubt in your minds the imperative
duty imposed upon you under full appreciation OF the
soemnty OF the oath which has just been administered
to each and all of you is TO render verdict of guilty,
which will necessarily deter others from the perpetrato9
Of similar Outrages = ..'<S
Dr. Wooster Beach testified that he made post NOR.
tenn examination of the body Of John Abrams and
found cut the abdomen which penetrated the ntes-
tines and allowed the blood to escape. In his opinion
the wound was the cause Of death.
John Fee James McManus James Harvey, Ann Lynop,
Mary Graham Mary skely, Mrs Abrams and officer Ken
nedy were examined for the prosecution The facts
IN small compass. 1t appeared from their testimony
that the prisoner using abusive language towards
the passers by when the deceased kindly demonstrated
with him and requested him to go into his house. He
refused and Immediately drew knife and stabbed
Abrams in the abdomen, inncting wound which re-
suited in his death forty eight hours afterwards Mrs
Abrams the wife Of the deceased testified that Mary
Graham for her and told her that Mr. Abrams and
Mr. Keefe talking together and perhaps they might
quarrel when Mrs. Abrams replied that she not
afraid of her husband quarreling when she came out
she said to the deceased "Come up here and don't talk
to that man, you don't know him." the de-
ceased turned round aud said, sWhat is he doing
with knife his hand insulting folks going past?
She replied sThat is none OF your business" As he
was going towards the door Keefe called him some
name whercupon the deceased told him to go into the
house, go to bed aud put his knife away. Immediately
after the prisoner stood back and made thrust at Mr..
Abrams who put his hand his stomach and said,
sOh am stabbed" She said 70 the prisoner "Oh, you
villain you killed my man" eyes" said he, sand
will give II TO you or any else who comes before
me" making dart at her II also In evidence that
he threatened TO stab James Harvey and some Of the
witnesses testified that Keefe under tho influence OF
liquor.
The hour for adjournment having arrived the Assistant
District Attorney said that he had other witnesses 70
examine before closing his Messrs Townsend and
Anderson assigned ny the Court 70 defend Keefe
with the defence which will probably occupy the whole
Of the day.