The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-10-29
the spIaITuALlsT MURDER.

The Trial Of Jacob Van Arsdaie at somer-
Vile, N. j.
Tho trial OF Jacob Van Arsdae for the murder Of
Jasper B. Baird was resumed yesterday morning in the
County Court OF SomerviIle N j. The attendance was
exceedingly large, numbers being present from the
remoest parts OF the county; in fact the court room
was insufficient to accommodate the crowd that sought
admission. This being the only murder trial IN the
records OF the county for seventy years there
natural curiosity among tho residents TO witness she
present proceedings and hear the arguments In the case
Mr.. H. NJ CASTOR, District Attorney, opened for the
prosecution in speech OF over four hours Duration
He reviewed the sought 10 prove that tho
prisoner vas OF mind that he acted
throughout term Of forty years az testified by
many witnesses in no manner calculated to give tho
impression of his being demented; that in fact he was
insane than tho OF men, but that his TOM
per naturally OF violent and ungovernable charac-
ter When The prisoner said Mr. Gaslon left his work.
shop he lett behind the body Of Jasper b. Baird. NO
noise was heard from there, me- for the deed was
premedtated, and the boy doomed TO be tho sac
rnce for some ancied insult offered 10 the prisoner
He entered the house after The corporation OF the
bloody deed, not in the manner insane man would,
but deliberately proceeded up stairs 10 secure his
clothes and valuables After being sed he confessed
his crime to the Sheriff II was argued IN his favor that
the decisions under which he labored rendered him
irresponsible for his acts out decisions false eccen-
trio ideas will not justify the commission Of murder,
and in the OF the prisoner whatever deluson he
may have labored UNDER he is still guilty the most
| perfectly developed man.
Alter Mr. CASTOR concluded tho court took Of
| an hour. On reaSsemblng,
| Mr. Bartne opened for the defence in a speech OF
much eloquence and ingenious argument He contended
that of insanity very oitan lead those who
are subject them TO wreak their unreasoning anger
their best friends In the instance OF the prisoner
this the case He maintained that positive insanity
influenced him upon the morning Of The murder,
ard that, as possible motive could DO d.
vined for the commission OF the ac, the only
intelligent assumption is that HIS mind was IN
condition of alteration IL stated that
the prisoner was inconsed at seeing tho little co'ored
girl sitting his accustomed place a. the table but
evidence prove THAI sue bad often sat there
BEFORE and that the winter his little colored
girl WAS taught with rest OF children how 10
play checkers by the prisoner at the bar After COM
hitting the murder his action not that OF sane
man, to whom self preservation by escape would have
been the paramount consideration He made no effort
TO leave Immediately but went into the house and
substantially informed Nrs. Bard oil what he
| had done. But II he medtated the deed how
| different would have been his plans and
| his conduct He could have consummaicd
his purpose in the night, for the boy slept 1t the same
room him; but instead OF that he selected the time
when all the family around and when escape was
ply steal inpossibiiy. Mr.. Bsrtne concluded at
| late hour IN the evening.
To-day the Attorney General and Chancellor William
son occupy the time OF the court.