The New York herald., 1867-03-23
COURT ur GENERAL SESSIONS.

ConvtcttOn Of John j. Skcehan Of Murder In
the Second Dcgrce-He il Sentenced 10 the
State Prison for Ten Years.
Before Judge Russell.
The trial Of John skeehan indicted for the murder
Of Thomas Weight, OF Twcntyeighh street and
was concluded yesterday.
Thomas Flynn, sworn and examined by the Assistant
District Attorney testified the night in question
he was in company with the prisoner and Annie Eagan
the first he Of the deceased and hts friends that
three or four coming down the behind
his party; Of the party when they up sang out
Halloo, you fellow with the sleek hat on, bold up
there" they halooed again, Haoo you fellow with
tall hat on hold up there when the decea sed his
friends got up he he deceased) spoke up and asked ~
wonder II be would sell that hat the prisoner spoke
up and said, 'GentIemen do you aude TO me ~ they
al turned round and got n front Of us and the deceased
spoke up and said, swell, think folks ought TO 60
along the street without being insuted SO then put
my hand on Sweeny's shoulder and said, "Frend, we
going about our business let go he spoke up,
'What do you want, will give you punch in the
snootn and with that he struck at me; lodged the
blow and he hit me on the shoulder; jumped behind
ing the blow my hat fell o the girl said, "Oh my God,
what are they going to doY' In the meantime ] hal
Iooed swatch two or three times pretty loud the police
man up in two seconds; the deceased
seemed 70 be drunk and TO be the most anxious for
nght
II
cry of watch"
This was the case for the prosecution.
Mr. John Sodgwick proceeded to open the defence,
the prisoners good character number Of gentlemen
who knew Skeehan for number Of years testi6ed 10
to the general good character Of the accused stating
he was peaccable and honest
Mr. Sedgwick and Assistant District Attorney Bedford
then summed up the evidence, after which Judge Rus
sol charged the jury.
The jury at Ave O'Clock rendered verdict Of murder
in the second degree, with strong recommendation to
mercy Upon the rendition Of the verdict the foreman
went to Mr. Sedgwick and stated that the jury were
ready 70 sign petition to the Governor for the pardon
Judge Russell imposed the lowest sentence the law
allowed, which was ten years in the State Prison.
Recorder Hackett sentenced the following prisoners
George Henderson. alias Robert Sampson, who pleaded
guilty 70 burglary the third degree, was sentenced TO
John Williams guilty Of grand larceny, was sent TO
Sing Sing Prison for four years and SIX months
James johnson alias Eagan who pleaded guilty 10 an
assault with intent 70 STEAL was sent 70 the PenensiaEy
The City Judge passed the following sentsnoes:-
Michael McGnn, who pleaded guilty 70 attempt at
grand larceny was sent 70 the sase Prison for two years
Edward Haggerty, tried and convicted Of obtaining
money under false pretence was sent TO the State Prison
Hugh smith, who was convicted Of asimilar offence,
arragned Tho Court said that the conviction could
not be sustained .. the Indictment was bad and juds
George Schneider, guilty Of assault and battery, vas
fined SIS.
samuel Starr who vas convicted Of petty larceny,
from the store OF Syms Brother brought 70 the
bar number Of anidavits in mitigation OF punish
mont were read which led the Judge to suspend udg
ment
On motion Of counsel, Charles Worms and Samuel
Strauss who indicted for in the third degree
honorably discharged and the bail released,
the City Judge rcmarkng that there was nothing in the