The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-15
COURT Of GENERAL SESSIONS.
Before Recorder Hackett,

The court opened at eleven O'Clock yesterday
and as there were two murder cases the calendar
ready for trial the room, as s generally the on
such occasions, pretty well filed win specta-
tors nearly all of whom were no doubt drawn thther
by that morbid curiosity which certain class Of
society always evince listening to the details Of
crime,
THE Murder OF PATRICK MCCORMICK.
The first case brought forward was that OF william
Nicholson, who was indicted for the murder Of
Patrick Mccormick on the night Of the 22d Of April
last, in front OF premises No. 50 Mulberry
street, by stabbiRg him with a knife. It
appears that Nicholson and the deceased
were drinking and playing cards at gambling
when a quarrel arose between them, and Nicholson
drew penknife and inflicted the wound which
caused the fatal result Indicated after Mccormick
had first violently assaulted him.
The prisoner pleaded guilty to manslaughter In
the third degree and was remanded for sentence.
OBTAINING GOODS ON FORGED CHECK:
A respectfully dressed and gentlemanly looking
young man, named Joseph Ward, was arraigned on
pretences from the firm Of Close Hardy, clothing
merchants, OF this city. The prisoner once be-
fore indicted in this court but was discharged by
cause. 1t appears that for some time he has been
in the habit of going round TO various places
and purchasing suits Of clothes and other articles
for which he would offer in payment certified checks
on the Shoe Leather Bank Of larger amounts
cheeks were re
charged him with perpetratng this fraudulent pro-
ceedng on Messrs. Close Il Co., VIII lch having been
proved beyond doubt to the jury, they found him
guilty, and the Recorder sentenced him to Sing Sing
for three years, at hard labor.
INDICTED FOR MURDER AND ACQUITTED.
Young German named Emil Butts, about twenty
three years old, was indicted for the homicide Of
Thomas Hughes, at 81 New Chambers street, on
the oath OF April last, and the particulars
OF which were fully reported In the HERALD at
the time II is sufficient now to state that the de-
ceased was shot by the prisoner. with whom he had
had several quarrels previously When the prOsecu-
the jury that under all the circumstances and facts
which surrounded the the prisoner could not be
found guilty or any crime under that indictment,
and he was therefore discharged from custody, the
provocation from Hughes, VINO only the night before
had attempted to take his life by throwing him out
of the window, and had violently assaulted HIM at
the time OF the shooting.
FELoNIoUs ASSAULT AND BATTERY.
Edward Purcell, Edward Mccarthy and Patrick
Mcclure, three boys, inmates OF the House OF Re-
fuge were arragDed on the charge OF felonious
assault and battery on William McCopptn on the
night Of the 9th OF June, in the House OF Refuge.
where he then filled the position of night watch
man. Mr.. McCoppn sw0re that on the ab0venamed
night he was attacked by the three boys, who were
endeavorng to effect their escape, ana that of
them (which he could not positively swear) inflicted
wounds his head and cheek and eve with O
knife. Mr.. Peter j. Bellen, In whose employ the boy
Purcell had been for several years. gave evidence as
to good character.
The Jury found them guilty Of assault and battery
ana the Recorder sentenced Purcell TO SIX months
Imprisonment IN the Penitentiary and Mccarthy and
Mcclure to one year each in the same institution.
GRAND LARCENY.
Edward Wilson, who stood charged with this
crime, was discharged from custody, the Witnesses
having refused 10 appear to prosecute.
The court then adjourned until eleven o'clock this
morning.