The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-09
MURDER ON The HIGH SEAS
Trial of John Conroy for the Murder Of
Capt. Low, of the Ship Polar star.
He is Found Guilty but Recommended
to Mercy

A man arraigned for trial for his life for the
murder of iellow-being occupies a position
which, no matter how aggravated may be the
circumstances OF the crime, how indubitable the
evidences Of the prisoners guilt, yet appeals to
our innate sympathy for our fellow -creatures and
excites our regret, not that punishment should
follow crime, but that crime itself should follow
the indulgence of evil passions, and that to that
indulgence human nature should be so prone.
The deed may have been done, the victim may
have long since been consigned TO EARTH or the
waves, the bereaved ones may have even began
to feel the soitening effects of time upon their
sorrow, the accused one may for weary months
have lain in prison and in his remorse, if
really guilty, suffered thousand times the pain he
INFLICTED upon his victim. and yet the law demands
but this one -justice-ineXorable Justice.
If guilty, punishment; if innocent, freedom to
walk forth under the clear light of Heaven untar.
nished in reputation. But the stake for life or
death Is a terrible one, and therefore it is thai
when We see one on trial for his life, we nvari-
ably pray that he may prove TO be innocent of the
accusation.
During the latter part of the month of October.
the snip Polar Star arrived at New Orleans from
Liverpool, from which port she had sailed under
command of Capt. Low. But before the vessel
entered the Passes. the body of her master had
been for fortnight slumberDg upon the bed of
the Atlantic. He had been stabbed, murdered
buried in the sea. In irons, when the Polar Star
arrived, was one vf her crew, John Conroy
charged with having inflicted the fatal wound.
be was delivered TO the police authorities snd,an
sffdavit WAS made against aim by the mate of the
vessel, before Recorder Becker, who for lack of
jarisdiction transferred the case 10 United States
Commissioner Marren. Before the latter Conrov
was arraigned on the 29th of October when the
case " as set for a hearing on the 9th of NOvem.
Der at 1880, A. NJ, or which day, after taking
testimony previously published 10 the CRSsCENrl
TIE commissioner committed the accused, without
bail, for trial before the United States Circuit
Court, upon charge of murder on the high seas
Conroy has since that time been confined in the
Parish Prison,
When the grand jury met 1t found a true bill
against bim at once, and the case was fixed for
trial on December Sd. 1t was, however. post
poned to the 9TH, and again to the Sth, (yester
day. when the following jury was impanelsd and
SWORD, viz Charles Lafue, Jas. Cochrane, Wm,
NigeTs, Thos. l.. Nibrey, F. H. Bostick, a. Kear-
ny, }. Cauldeld, f. v. Mccarthy, J. B. Noble,
David hcCOard, l.. A. Snser, Nelson Maritsche.
he district attorney then read the indictment TO
the jury, Conroy, under guard of deputy marshal,
taking his seat with his counsel Gov. Weller and
A. Is. Long, Esq. Conroy is bushy haired, light.
complexioned man, about thirty years of age, of
medium stature, and with a countenance not over
intelligent and indicative of strong animal pas
SONS. His manner when arraigned, was cool and
collected-it may even be said, Indifferent. When
called upon by the judge to answer guilty, or not
guilty. be replied mot guilty, your honor" and
then the trial began. Nine or ten witnesses,
including the mate and several of the crew
Of the vessel who had been witnesses Of the
tragedy in mid. ocean, gave their testimony,
which was to the effect that the prisoner had ap-
preached the captain suddenly from behind. and
stabbed hun with a sheath knife, had then run
out upon the jib boom and only descended to the
deck when summoned by the mate with loaded
caIbine in his hands. 1t was contended by the
defense that Conroy had committed the deed
when lsboring under insanity. He had been of
moody temperament, and at times was violent
and brutal: He would walk the forecastle, as if
ON guard, for hours together, with marnspike
IN bis hand, as if to attack some imaginary foe.
his WAS the gist of the evidence brought to sup
port the plea of insanity. Mr.. District Attorney
Tory, at the conclusion of the evidence, SUN
med up for the prosecution Mr.. Long argued for
The defense very eloquenty, and then the district
attorney concluded NE argument. The judge
cautioned the Jury that should any rational doubt
Exist in their minds regarding the prisoners san
ity at the time the deed was committed, that
doubt should be In favor Of the prisoner.
AT a quarter past three the jury withdrew. 1t
ives then that Conroy waiting for the verdict
which should set him free or pronounce him a
murderer, showed much emotion, and was evil
deptly deeply agitated. The fatigue incident to
sitting for five hours, combined with his anxiety
" 1hk Ia s @ RSs or nan an
hour dread silence IN the court room. Without
on the busy street the hum of business the rat
Ting of drays, the loud conversation of hundreds
was TO be heard, as unconscious of that one in
suspense SO near them men went about their av-
ocatioDs. The minutes dragged slowly during the
hour alter the jury bad retired. Ii was twelve
minutes after four when they returned and took
their seats. Guilty, or not guilty ?" was the
question on every tongue, as the foreman of the
Jury replied TO his honor's question. Guilty. your
honor, with recommendation to the mercy of the
couri.n
The prisoner was then led away in custody of
he oeputy marshal, the judge pOstpoaing the de-
livery OF his sentence.