Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-02-25
THE COURTS.
Trial Of James Beckett for Murder.


CRIMINAL OoURr. CHEF Justice Cartsey.-
Yesterday, after our report closed
JOHN Wilson, policeman, was sworn.-Who
testified to making the arrest with Offieer
Leech, and finding clothes and hat that CORES
pended TO those exhibited in court The testi-
mony for the prosecution being closed, Gen.
Terry, for the prisoner, indicated the line Of
defence. Testimony for the defence was then
commenced.
Nary Paine, mother Of the prisoner,-Swore
tnat the day previous 10 the homicide he was
differently dressed from what other witnesses
described. Witness had never seen him with
the coat on which was exhibited in Court
Officer Leeck recalled, and said that the priso-
ner vas putting on dark pants the morning of
his arrest.
Catkarine Kisos testified that he had on dark
pants all the day of the homicide: the same he
put on next morning: had hurt his arm in the
morning; witness had tied 1t up for him; never
saw him wear the coat exhibitedln court; never
saw the knife before he generally hung up his
nat and coat down stairs before he came up; he
had been home some time when Bell came in.
Eliza Worthineton testified that the prisoner
said he had had some difficulty about his dog
the day OF the killing: don't know whether his
arm was hurt or not; prisoner took dinner
nome that day, also supper; did not see his
arm wrapped up.
Stephen XcDermot, clerk in Kidwelrs drug
store, where the deceased was carried, was ex-
ahmed as to the declarations of Maria Hender-
son, AS to the color of the man who struck the
oiow. he said some one in the crowd asked
VINO did 1t. and some one else answered a light
eoiored or yellow man; nearly white; don't
know VINO asked or answered the question.
EdrdTd ID. Price testified that a colored girl
In the crowd said it was white man, which
remark was reiterated by colored man. who
sand he had on light clothes, and had run away;
the night was very dark.
John Ben had known Beckett some IS years;
was An the neighboThoOd of the homicide that
night and man ran by, pursued by soldier
and another man; did not see his face; could not
swear what KIND of q man 1t was, whether white
or black. Witness thought if it had been Beckett
and he had taken particular notice he would
have known him, but he ran by too swiftly
The question arose as to the admission Of the
subsequent acts and conversations of the ac-
eused as affirmative proof of his innocence.
The Court said this question was treated as if
one proposition was the corrollary of the other
The acts and words Of a prisoner previous to
and conemporaneous with an act may be given
In evidence. and any act Of the prisoner subse-
quently, as distinguished from his declara.
lions. may be given to show his innocence
The Conrt said the prisoner could not manu-.
facture evidence, and refused to permit the sub.
sequent declarations of the prisoner In evil
dence; but said his conduct might be taken in
evidence for what il was worth, viz That the
prisoner remained in the bailiwick and was
found IN his bed after he was advised that he
was suspected.
Anna Worthipgton testified that she lived Mt
the same house with prisoner she was awaked
by his coming in the night Of the homicide; he
slammed the door and went directly up stairs;
he did not take his coat off; don't know who
the coat belongs to, don't know whether il is
L nil l.ancaStPrS or not
7o-ddy.-Mr. Darlington opened for the de.
fence, and reviewed the testimony and argued
that the question of identity was clearly set.
tied, and as to the extent Of the crime it could
not be doubted that 1t was felOnious homicide.
Gen. Terry, for the defense, arose and
opened his case, saying there Were three ques-
tons for the Jury to decide: LIST, Was there a
homicide; 2nd, Whether it was homicide iusti-
fable, manslaughter, or murder; and Sd, Is the
prisoner the guilty party: and argued each of
the points in detail. At the close Of his speech
the Court took a recess.
The jury, after an absence Of 25 minutes, re-
turned verdict of guilty If mansluwghter. and
the Court discharged the jury, with his thanks
for their attendance during the term.
The prisoner was called up for sentence, and
protested that he was innocent when asked by
the Court If he had anything to say in extenua-
ton. The Court said that the charities of the
law only saved him from the seyerest penalties
Of the law, and sentenced him to the Albany
penitentiary for years, the severest penalty of
the law.
EQUITY COURT, Justice Olin.-Wilson VS.. Will.
son: order confirming report of auditor. Fow-
Ter VS.. 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,
II -day-Power VS.. Power order of final rati-
fcation of report of Auditor Territt VS.. Ter
rift; order OF final ratification of Auditors re-
port. Barrand VS.. Ransome; order ratifying
Trustees sale and referring 4th and 5th reports
order appointing Cheseldine trustee to sell
unimproyed lot
ORPHANS COURT, Judge PuceU.-First and
final account Of George w. Samson, admins
traitor of Robert Newman, deceased; first ac-
count Of Edward Simms, administration of Jo-
seph Reynolds; and first and final of Thomas
r. Baden, administrator C. t. a. OF Eianor Ba-
den, deceased, were approved and passed.
Burey Daughton was appointed guardian Of
the orphans OF Samuel Warner and Mary C..
his wife; bond S3,oO0-sureties, VIM. j. Shep-
herd and David Danghton.
Harriet L. Marsh was appointed guardian of
the orphan child of Alfred J. and Harriet
Webb; bond S2,0O0-sureties, A. T. Cunning.
ham, NJ. K. Walsh, and o. W. Marsh
CIRCUIT COURT, Justice Wylie.-Blanchard
W.. Clark; Riddle and Mattingly-Bradley; the
testimony in this case being closed, the counsel
asked instructions from the court Still on
trial.
EQUITY COURT, Justice Wyie.-Yesterday,
Paul IT al. VS.. Smith ct al: order overriding
exceptions and confirming the report Of the au-
ditor.