The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-06-18
THE GOLD STREET TRAGEDY.
KINGS COUNTY OYER AND TEamIxEa.

The case of William 7. Skdmore, indicted for the
murder Of William B. Carr, who was shot with an air
gun early the morning Of the 2lst Of May last near
the corner Of Gold and johnson streets came up for
trial yesterday morning in the Brooklyn Court OF Oyer
and Terminer
1t will be remembered that AZ the above time de-
ceased walking along Gold street, near the corner
Of johnson, when the prisoner. who had been seen
by officer Dyer, OF the Fortyar precinct, lurking
about the place some time previous to the tragedy, DIS
charged air gun at him. the ball taking effect in the
brain. Officer Dyer had the slightest suspicion that
tho man would commit such treacherous aud terrible
act and astounded hearing the dull report
OF the piece and seeing the unfortunate Carr fall heavily
TO the pavement and the prisoner rapidly from the
place The officer followed IN close pursuit. discharged
his pistol several times and chased the fugitive the
post OF officer Nash who succeeded in arrestng him at
the corner OF Prince and Woughby Streets The air gun
was afterwards found Carr fingered insensble for few
days. when death ensued the City Hospital, whittier
ho had been removed after being shot, skidmore was
committed by the Coroner to await the action Of the
Grand Jury. and his indictment followed.
APPEARANCE
It having been made pretty generally known through
the columns Of the HERALD and otherwise that tho trial
was Sc. down for yesterday the , cour. room was
opened or Skidmore had been brought from
the jail. Shortly after ten O'Clock the prisoner
OF police officers and Immediately became the
Of all eyes, He appeared wholly indifferent as to what
going around him and boldly faced the crowd
present Skidmore ia a man between thirty-ive and
thirty six years old little over medium sized, with
somewhat rudy compexlon, dsrk Drown mar ana !.
determined but he Is not really such villanous look
ing fellow many who have not seen him believe His
face one but the like Of which be
the any day at almost every corner although
his air is that OF a bold and caous man. He COM
neced with the police force about eleven years. at
and is house carpenter by trade. Hs wife died about
eighteen mouths since, leaving hve Children the eldest
Of whom girl about fifteen sixteen years OF age
After convorsing with those about HIM for few mo-
ments, skdmore turned to the members OF the press
"a fair shown He alluded 70 the state
monts published IN the HERALD of yesterday in ref
entirely correct, with the single exception he
the party who first applied tho Coroner to
ms wires body dsnterred ana not relative as Sc.
been harshy treated by the newspapers in of which
he had been termed "highwayman."
shortly before eleven O'Clock the court opened,
when District Attorney Morris moved the trial OF tho
indictment against the prisoner
Judge Barnard-iS the prisoner ready for trial
Skidmorc, who was now before the bar. No, sir.
THU CONFLICT BETWEEN COUNSEL.
At this point Messrs jerks and Townsend, who had
been employed by the prisoner came forward together
with Messrs Pcarsal and Hughes the regularly assigned
counsel by the Court The former gentleman, II ap.
OF the latter by the prisoner Who 1t will be vemem
bered. refused to consult with hessrs. Pearsal and
Hughes.
Mr. Jenks-If the District Attorney move for trial we
are here to make application for the posponement OF
District Attorney Aorrs-we are ready to hear the
application.
PLANTATION TO his connection with the case Mr. Town.
send and himself had offered their services TO the
prisoner with Intention Of dscouresy to the courage
gentlemen who had been assigned by the court On
the morning Of Wednesday last the court had becn kind
enough to accede to the wishes of the prisoner ap-
point him dr. Jenks) and give him day 70 determine
as 10 whether he could undertake the csseor not He
awaited himself Of the permission Of the court and
as no would mot be able 70 conduot the case alone Not
being able 70 then Mr. Townsend Mr. Jonks visited
tho jail and bad consultation with skidmorc and left
at bis tMr Us, Office, on the following morning at nine
O'Clock in order TO consult as to simplifying counsel to
he waited until ten o'clock he appeared before
his Honor stating that he would be unable to undertake
Messrs. Pearsa and Hughes 10 whom all honor should
be given. Mr. jerks sad he had only acted in accord
o e,ps ,b 70 ns %
qucnty desired him TO undertake the case, and
he conferred with them again Ho sent for
Mr. Townsend, who consented To assist in the and
went 70 the prisoner Thursday On tho following
day, Mr. jerks said, he notified Messrs Pearsa and
Hughes and requested Their assistance and they had
not given him He did not at all intend 10
obrudc in case against counsel who were courageous
enough accept tho burden and II Skdmore desired
Messrs. Pearsai and Hughes TO defend him he had
objection. Although the prisoner had been assigned
counsel by the Court Mr. jerks thought that Skdmoro
had right choose whom no desired. These state
made in all honesty and fairness, and Mr.
jerks intended dscourtesy whatever to the
who had been assigned TO defend the prisoner by taking
the course that no did.
Mr. Hughes stepped forward and said that he pre-
moreis intentions.
Judge Barnard remarked that he would never in the
world tho proposition the prisoner had
a perfcct right TO choose his own counsel He would
listen also 10 any motion TO postpone.
Mr.. Morris said hc desired TO be hoard in the matter.
He had afdavits he desired read. Mr. Jenks said
not prepared TO make motion until he recog-
nzed counsel to which Judge Barnard replied that
any application through him would be listened 10. HIS
Honor would look to Mr. jerks the solo counsel Of
the prisoner as far as the motion was concerned.
On being then asked 70 whom desired counsel
skidmore replied ~ wish You to act as COUNSEL
speaking to Mr. jerks. Tho latter thereupon applied
Morris about directing the officers 10 guard the
prisoner during the Interview when he was interrupted
by Mr. jerks, saying the Court directs the officers
1aughtcr) Mr.. Morris made reply In a low tone,
the exclamation bully being heard, and added that
Mr. jerks was commencing with insults, but would end
ArPlIcAnox FOR rcsrroSxxkv
Counsel and prisoner remained closcted for short
time oniy and on their return Mr. 1enss made app'sa-
VII, sworn TO BY himself, which stated that in his
opinion Il would DO impossible to prepare defence at
tho present term Mr. Townsend also read aiidavit.
sworn TO BY HIMSELF setting forth that such facts had
been disclosed to bin by the prisoner as to render
postponement necessary, so that important witnesses
could be secured Mr. Morris replied by reading the
aldaviis OF Constable George Cogsn. Thomas Cassidy
and townsend had refused 70 un iertsko the case aud
the day Mr. T. called the jail and said he
going to undertake. IT, because there money In II
now The afidavit Of Mr. Powers, OF the District A.
torneys Office also road, setting forth that list OF
Witnesses furnished by Skdmorc had been all snbpm naed
Mr.. Morris read hts affidavit reference pro-
cecdngs which have already taken place. and that Of
Mr.. Hughes with Mr. Townsends statement in regard TO
tho money he had received and that he did care
who defended skidmore. Mr. jerks read the affidavit
OF Skdmore himself, stating that tho latter had fur
nshed the list OF witnesses 10 Powers upon his repre-
sensations that earthly hope for postpone
Of the and that he had given tho list
counsel Mr. Townsend argued in favor OF tho applca-
ton for posponemcnt, and quoted authorities
on the point
ARGUMENT or DISTRICT ATTORNEY MOTIFS.
District Attorney Morris arose. and in a lengthy
speech argued in opposition the granting Of the ap
pication. Tho prisoner had negectcd full opportunities
for his defence, and Mr. Morris apprehended that the
Court would not exercise It's discretion against the
people BY granting postponcment OF this The
Court would excuse him he talked little plainly for he
thought that either IN court elsewhere things
should DO called by their right He did not be-
leve that his Honor could call recollection any CIR