New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-18
THE LAFON HOMICIDE.
TIE SENTENCE PRONOUNCED.

THE SENTENCE PRONOUNCED.
The old Circuit Court Room of the Court
House in Newark. crowded yesterday with people
assembled TO hear the argument OF counsel for new
trial in the OF Thomas LafoD jr who was convicted
on Thursday indictment for the granddaughter
OF Joseph Herring The intense interest mani.
tested during the progress OF the trial inside tho bar
and standing close around II hundreds OF fashion
ably dressed ladies The seats usually reserved for
spectators were filed to OVERLOOKING and the ases and
lobbyways were crowded immediately upon the open
ing OF court officers stationed throughout the build
ing preserve order and suppress any manifestation OF
feeling Mr. Joseph T. Bradley opened the argument for
the defense and in forcbe address, stated tho points
upon which exception taken to the Judges charge
TO the jury He claimed that tho charge excluded the
case from that branch OF defense In cases OF homicide
which are ranged under the head OF homicide by msad
venture 1t excluded the defendant, Also from that
right which is the natural protection OF father IN de-
Tending his child. master his servant, &c IL gave
wrong impressions, also. concerning the culpa-
bilty Of tho defendant, because he intended
20 do bodily harm, although not TO the
extent which accidentally resulted Finally II refused
to consider that the deceased the aggressor In
most unustihable and brutal assault Mr. Bradley was
followed 10y CORTLAND Parker, who sustained these
ceptons TO the charge. Mr. Ttsworch, county prose
cutor claimed that the objections unfounded, and
that the law laid down In the charge explicitly and
fairly Mr. Parker replied 10 tho prosecutor after which
the jud ges retired anteroom In short time they
returned and stated that the motion refused The
prosecutor then moved that sentence he pronounced
Amd much excitement Mr.. Parker presented the aii,g-
nation Ruth Lafon, the mother Of tho defendant
who stated the language OF young Lafon immodF
ately after committing the deed A communi-
cation, numor0usy signed by prominent oitiz-
ems asking for a mitigation Of tho sentence.
WAS presented Mr. Parker then proceeded TO make
an eloquent appeal 20 the Court for mercy claiming that
Lafon intention OF taking life, that the fatal blow
was accidental and that 10 committed state Prison II
would his prospects and kill his pare3s The Court
eIsued during which LafoR seemed much agtatcd aud
intense anxiety evident upon tho OF the
ladies present. Al length the Ave Judges returned and
Judge Depue addressing tho prisoner requested him 10
arse lie did So standing with folded arms The Judge
reviewed the case briefly, stated the extreme penalty
and that the unusual pleas for mercy had not abeep
without avail yet 1t impossible for the prisops. 10
escape tho punishment he much dreaded He tIrpg
nounoed That the prisoner be fined $500 and
Imprisoned the Prison for the term OF year
and further until the OF prosecution paid lafon
sa down In the midst OF much excitement Tho audience
received the sentence with mingled applause and hsses
and many ladies were weeping. The prisoner was Inn
medatey given into the custody OF tho Sheriff and the
Court was adjourned. Thus onded tho most exciting
criminal trial that has occurred In tho Essex County
Courts for twenty years. Willie very general
patty IL pressed for DR. LafOns family the masses,
Is said dissatisfied with the lcency Of the sentence