The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-01-11

mOnUSO untAI iW DNOONLuWs
Trial OF JOSEF Mathews for the Murder
OF John Keevy-Conclusio sion OF the Case
for the observation-disclosures ation OF
Witnesses for the Defence, Sc.
KINGS COUNTY COURT OF OYER AND TERMISER.
The trial OF Joseph Mathews, indicted by the Grand
Jury for the wul murder of Johu Keeyy, the 18th
OF September last, up yesterday morning. at ten
o'clock in the Court Of Oyer and Terminer, be-
fore Judge Gilbert and Justices Hoyt and Voorhies
Al an early hour the court room was crowded
70 excess, great interest appearing 10 be manifested
in this trial The circumstances of this murder il will he
remembered appeared the HERALD At the time OF the
occurrence. The prisoner Mathews, who present
during the trial yesterday, is tailor by trade, native
of Ireland aud about fortyv fifty years of age He
has rather wild cast of countenance, which would by
give indications to the psychologist Of prone
to the commission of the awful crime with which
he is convicted During the proceedings of the court he
exhibited the greatest continually shifting
about his seat. and changing color repeatedly
It appears that the 18th of September last Mathews.
accompanied by Keevy went to New York for the pur-
pose of purchasing cloth to make a suit Of clothes
for the deceased. While there they drank fire.
quenty, both. il would appear, bccoudng inoxi-
Gated Upon returning home deceased went into
the grocery store of Frederick Buse corner Of Clas
son avenue and Butler street. and sitting Their,
In company with two other men. when Mathews was
heard calling for his wife outside the door The deceased
told him Ia in. when the accused entered. with
in his hand which hc discharged Kecvy the shot
taking effect in his left side, infcting mortal wound,
from the effects OF which he died in three DAYS after
Considerable difficulty was experienced by the As
ssant District Attorney in ompanellng jury owing TO
the fact that two-tiirds Of those examined having
formed IN opinion guilt OF the prisoner ana
were Therefore. disqualified from serving on the Jury
About haf-past eleven full jury was obtained and As
sstant Disric, Attorney james try having duly in
structed them as to The nsturc OF base the cxanue
ton OF witnesses was proceeded withN
James Hart, being duly sworn deppsed as follows
] live in Classon avenue: know the prisoner; knew
John keevy me deceased snew the grocery store on
the corner OF ciasson avenue aud Butler street; saw
Kcevy on that evening Ia the store and door
when first saw him he was standing outside The door
this was about six ocook or half past SIX; next saw
h m between seven and eight o'clock in the store Mr.
Mooney aud the man VINO kept the store. Frcd liuse
were in the store at the time was sitting down and so
was keevy TINS was IN the rear part OF tho store on
Gibson avenue; there are two entrances 10 The store
one on csseon avenue and one GU Butler street: the
store fronts ON Butler street and also Casson
while we were sitting la the store we were speaking
about matter that had taken place before that
when Nc Matthews came to ne door aud called his
vile down stars ~ understood DID NOT sec him,
bat head his voice Mr. kcery then asked y That was
Joe, and told BIN TO come IA 'la, he wanted him. the
prson,r sa,d 'he' y was hp sn' 'net ne w"n'd shoot
said this the door, FAR could hear: Keevy
told him 10 have sense Mathews hnd gun with Inn
asked Mathews what he was doing, going round and
making fcoi OF hmsef with gun, and then asked him
III ~as loaded he said, 'fcs and cppped; when
Mathews came ia nrs ne went ul TO keevy with the
gun raised and pointed nj keevy, the decreased Keevy
put out hs LETT hand to catch he gun and then the shot
fred when kcevy caught hold Of the muzzlc or the
gun u was aoout the length OF his arm from him;
saw cap on the gun; u wa. single bsrreilcd gum
would not Know = again; when tue shot wa. fired
keevy got M nnd GOT mold OF Mathews. putting his
one arm round his mex aud holding the gun with his
other hand they then i's-'ed for while, Mathews
sa o Mathews 10 e co. snd he said M" % ,od S s%
10 ei u go again SO be said con'd have u nj tins time