The New York herald., 1865-03-01
ALLEGED WIFE MURDER.
Trial OF Frank Ferris Charged with
killing His Wifc-TestimOny for tho
Prosecution, &c.


Prosecution, &c.
COURT or GENERAL SESSIONS.
Before Recorder Hoffman.
Yesterday the traliof Frank Ferris indicted for the
murder Of his wife, which charged TO have been
mitted the 9th Of September last, at No. 80 James
street, commenced in this He represent
ed by Mcssrs Anthon and VIM T. Knitting Jr, who, as
the first juror called, nterposcd challenge 70 the
array OF jurors which ovcrrued This matter hay
ing boon settled the counsel nterposod further OBJ
stacle and the has boon extensively published
In the newspapers there very little difficulty in OBJ
tanning jury.
District Attorney Hall then gave succincs narrative
Of the facts the prosecution expected prove and the
order in which they would be presented and made some
interesting remarks upon the subject u insanity sug
gcsed by expression which foil from the lips OF ono
Of tn jurors called who said he did not believe any
murdered another in his right mind.
Assistant District Attorney Huchngs proceeded 70 ex
anime tho witnesses for the people.
The rst witness for tho prosecution Dr. Cushman
Hospital examined the body Of Mary Ferris after DEATH
and found compound fracture OF the skull and
tho p Of s
have becn inflicted with an axe; death was caused BY
compression and concusson Of the BRAIN resulting from
Dr. Magce also physician attached 70 the hospital,
said he was present when Mary Ferris WAS admitted TO
the hospital about ton o'clock the evening Of the 9th
Of September 1884 she was in dying condition With
very extensive confused iaceratcd wound In the SCALP
which communicated with very extsnsive fracture or
the skull cxtendn the the back Of the head
she was insensib0; the conclusion the cause OF
DEATH which was brought about by blow. The was
shown TO tho witness who said that such instrument
might have produced the wound Tho deceased appeared
70 be healthy
O6icsr Kennedy being sworn and examined said-I saw
the prisoner and hts wife standing the sidewalk oppO
sto their house Ia James street evening Of the 9th
Of September between and O'Clock tho prisoner
wanted 70 60 up stairs and she did not want TO have him.
tho witness told hm not TO 90 up stairs, but he
did witness left and patrolled his beat and In about
thr equarters OF an hodr after, hearing cry of
"wach" he ran up TO the nth story OF 80 James street,
the door OF the room fastened but Ferris beng
told 10 opon H. did 80; witness then found the woman
lying tho floor and by her side; the prisoner
had other clothing than his panaloons the pris
on and his wife all covered with blood the witness
took charge OF the body brought to the station house
and goa doctor, who stitched her hoad from VIII ch
issued great quantity OF blood part of the brain fell
tho floor afterwards, there blood ON tho axe;
small knife was found upon tho noor; the woman was
taken 10 the hospital the prisoner did say anything
but appeared 10 DO In lrghtful condition.
Mary Bradley sworn and cxamincd-Testincd that she
resided nj 70 Monroe street, Mira Ferris washed for hor
for Ave years. and did so the day preceding the kill
ing hor at the hospital that evening" when she was
bleeding freely from the head; returned 10 the hospital
tho next day, and remained with her until she died
house and after asking II his wife was there down
on his knees, closed his hands and by his virn
Mary aud by his Jesus Christ h, would n his wi Mary,
and no would kill himself afterwards: the witness
asked him what would become Of hts poor chIdr n,
~ which ho replied 'I.et them 10 the island
whore better children Than they wero wcnt,u he
no onoc thought hc finished hor and the next limo he