Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-02-24
THE COURTS.
Trial of James Beckett for the Murder oi
Gabriel Thornton.

0acrlel n0rntOu
CRIMINAL Court, ChiJ Justice Cartier
The trial of this case was res umed this morn
ing.
District Attorney Darlington opened the case
for the prosecution, briefly STATING that there
were two questions in this case -one OF identity,
and the other of the degree Of the offence-was
Gabriel Thorntorn killed al the time and place
stated, and did the prisoner at the bar Kill him,
and was this, from all the facts in the case, muir
der or manslaughter. Gen. Terry reserved his
remarks.
DR.. Albert s. 4. Kiso was called, and testified
10 the fact that the wound over the left breast
OF Thornton was inflicted by some sharp in
strumenf- IN the neighborhood OF the heart, and
was mortal wound, and caused b. death.
Maria Hendt rson called, and testified that she
and deceased were coming nome from chu,eh
on the night in question, about ten - CoSk, Arm
in arm; that deceased had his umbrella hoisted,
and he ran against Beckett, when d. struck
Thornton, and Thornton dropped the umbrella
ana Kicked Beckett, and Is. then said he would
XIII thornton, and drew something ont of his
breast and struck the deceased With il and then
ran down Fourteenth strecL south of the ave.
nue.. Witness idcn died Beckett the man
VINO struck the blow. He had on light coat,
pants and nat
Arnd Jones testified as to the man who
struck the blow, and the knife; II was just such
a knife as the one exhibited. She failed to
recognize the prisoner as the one who struck
the blow. Was scared but knew that the man
who struck Thornton was a light man, had on
light clothes, and ran down 14th street after
the blow was struck
I'm. II. Lee testified thai he was a hack dri-
yer; stood sometimes ut Wizards Hotel; know
the prisoner well; have known him for twelve
years. On the light of the homicide saw
Beckett going down 18th street, near the side
door of the hotel. He asked witness for chew
OF tobacco. Witness gave II 10 HIM. He was
dressed in light clothes. Shortly after that he
heard somebody crying murder across the
street 1t was over on the corner near the
lamp, II was burning. When Beckett left wit.
neSc, he went over towards the southwest COR
ner Of 1ith street and Pennsylvania avenue,
down towards the canal.
Other witnesses were sworn, and testified TO
the same effect rs the preceding witnesses.
Police Officer Chas. Leach, sworn.-Arrested
the prisoner. Found him next morning after
the murder in bed; recognized the coat; noticed
a cut on his arm. Prisoner said he cut IL in the
Monument lot catching dogs,
CIRCUIT COURT, Justice Wylie.-Drury Co.
vs. Sceoolman; Mr.. Merrick asked TO have his
appearance stricken OUT ordered by the
court. Boteer VS.. johnson & Bryant; Judg.
ment confess Wolff Mccormick VS.. Will
son. defendant demurred to the evidence of
plaintiff; Court sustained the demurrer, and
instructed the jury to find for the defendant.
Taylor VS.. w llliams; motion for new trial filed
by consent of counsel. Mccarthy VS.. Common,
Schloerb VS.. Butger, McGhan VS.. Clephaue, and
Chas. II Ross * Co. VS.. Jno. j. Bogue contin ued
Same VS.. Donnelly Offutt; continued, with
leave to the plaintiff to amend declaration
Donohue use Shorp Anime Morris; John
Ryan VS.. Johnhardt; J. W. Schunckers VS.. L.
Z. Crounse and Richard ]. Ryan VS.. Conrad
Brrnkert, continued. DIury & Co. VS.. School
man; verdict for the plaintiff. Thomson VS..
Whitney; continued. Morsell VS.. Hamilton:
continued, with leave 10 plaintiff to file new
declaration. keefer VS.. Taylor; rule on defen-
dant TO plead. Angus VS.. Brady; Judgment on
award. Lewis Va. Sykes a. Chadwick; judg-
ment by default. Mayor, &c, OF Washington
VS.. Mary Riley; Bradley and Drury; for selling
liquor without a license. The defence claim to
have a hcence; verdi CT for appellee a few days
since. Judgment e hirmed by the Court. Ad-
Journed.
EQUITY COURT, Justice Otia.-Wilson VS.. VIII
son: order confirming report of auditor. Fow-
Ter We Dennis ct al; order by Justice Wylie
allowing certain papers withdrawn to file in
bankruptcy case. In re Geo. w. Lanckton and
Louis w. Sinsabaugh; order laying rule on
bankrupt, and for in JUNCTION.