The New York herald., 1869-06-24
COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS.
. Before Recorder Hackett.
Alleged Arson.

Alleged Arson.
In the case OF Samuel Lang (cOlored), who was
placed upon trial on Tuesday afternoon, charged
with arson in the first degree, In firing the house
No. SO Laurens street on the night OF the 9th inst.
the Recorder, upon the assembling OF the court,
said that he had considered the objections raised by
counsel for the prisoner The testimony showed
that the fire discovered the basement OF this
house, occupied by Sarah Brandon, whereas the in.
dictment charged that the premises were occupied
by CarOilne Henderson. His Honor directed the
jury to render verdict OF not guilty ground OF
variance between the proof and the Indictment
John Roach and James Mcconnell were placed on
trial charged with larceny from the person. Natnan-
iel L. McCready, the President Of the Old Dominion
steamship Company testifying that on the night Or
the 9th OF last February he was robbed OF pocket
book containing money and checks valued at $3s2
that he rode down In Broadway stage, and on ar
irving at the theatre he was about getting out when
and niece The moment Mt. McCready reached T the
vesbule OF the theatre he discovered that his pocket
book was gone. boy named Yullngs came up and
gave some Information which led him to proceed to
the Shakespeare saloon, opposite where the prison
ers were found at the bar drinking. The boy picked
mp pocketbOok In the saloon which was identified
found that nifty dollars was distracted from it,
Mr.. McCready positively identified the prisoners as
being In the stage at the time. sitting near him,
while the boy iungs occupied seat at the other
A clerk named John c. Spencer. who was sitting
In the saloon when the defendants entered testified
that he saw one OFT hem pass pocketbook or men,
0randum book to the other, anu soon after young
man came In and pointed them out the oficer az
the parties who picked Mr. MsCreadys pocket The
young man Immediately went TO chalr near by and
exclaimed, "Here Is the pocketbook," picked 1t up
and carried 1t to 0fncer Young who arrested them.
boy engaged In the saloon gave similar testimony
and ofiicer Young testified that when he arrested
Roach he asked 70 he searched TO see II he had the
pocketbook.
Valentine Hinton and Jacob Clyder were called
and examined by counsel for the defence. They
stated that they lived in Brooklyn, and drink
ing 10 the saloon at the time the prisoners H.
and that In their Judgment 1t was impossible for
Mcconnell or Roach to have thrown the pocketbook
which the boy said he found there. Counsel pro-
posed to show by Hinton thar the general character
OF the boy Yulngs was bad. Ii appearing, however,
that Hinton never knew OF Yuings lore the even.
ing In question and had only heard something after
wards, the Recorder declined TO admit the testi-
mony. The prisoners were called and asked only
one question. whether they were in any stage that
night, which they denied. Mr.. Hutchlngs recalled
Mr.. McCready, who swore positively tnat they were
IN the stage, and Mr. Spencer TO contradict state
ment made by Hinton that there were five or SIX
men reading In the saloon. Spencer sw0re that he
was the only person at the table reading.
After q brief and able speech by Mr.. Hutchinge in
behalf OF the prosecution, Recorder Hackett deiv-
cred an elaborate and clear charge. The jury wish
out moments hesitation, rendered o verdict Of
guilty.
At the request Of the prisoners counsel the prIs-
oners were remanded TIL Friday for sentence