The New York herald., 1869-05-31
THE MCCONNELL MURDER TRIAL.

Commence nena or the Proccdinss-The Open.
ing Testimony.
Pursuant to adjournment the trial of William A.
Robinson, charged with the Mcdonnell murder
opened at Jacksonville, H., ON the morning OF the
2.th, at eight O'Clock.
THE COURT ROOM CROWDED.
The fact that the testimOny--and consequent real
interest Of the investgatiOn-had commenced, at
tracted very large number OF persons TO the hall,
watched with the most marked attention.
THE PRISONER
maintains the same Interested yet composed de-
meanor that has characterized him all along. though
occasionally he appears to be monentarily bothered
by some drag delay IN the case, and his light blue
rough places In the evidence made smooth and
he can again devote his attention to the proceed
ings
REQUEST CONCERNING WITNESSES.
Upon the coming In Of the court Mr.. ketchum W
the counsel for the people asked that the order ex-
cluding witnesses from the court room he not
forced 40 Rs the family OF the deceased are con-
concerned.
cede TO the proposition.
TESTIMONY OF MARY RYAN.
The FIRST witness called was Mary Ryan, who was
a domestic IN the Mcconnell family al the time M
the tragedy. Her examination was very searching.
ellcitlng the following facts:She was up nrsf that
day. prepared breakfas. and rang the bell for the
family: all came: she saw none Of the family be-
fore breakfast but Mrs. Mcdonnell, nor any OF The
family after breakfast she ate her own breakiast
cleared on the table and went into the Generals
Office TO do the charnberwork; did not mud him
there: he came IN IN about ave minutes aud
sat down TO read n letter which was on the table;
she went up stairs. and while there heard the milk
mans bell: came down. got the milk went up again
ana soon afterwards heart heavy fall, and then
ight footsteps In the hall below did not know what
the noise VAS thought the footsteps were MRS Nc
Connelrs: came down 10 the Generals again. found
HIM his face and hands. on the noor, In pool OF
blood about nis head: there was no sign oi lie IN
the General when she found him.
TESTIMONY OF MAJOR GEORGE NJ NCoNNELI-
The next witness was George VI. McConneil soD OF
the deceased The only statements he male tending
To prove the charge were that during the month vf
MAY 1857, lie had made for his atber list OF ms
notes, the date when due. and upon whom
by William Robinson, for s42o due on
demand which note had Deen m his
possessIon until lust before hrs death, and cannot
now I've found although all other notes IN the list
were found undsturbed in drawer "a ms Iainer's
once. he found upon the table broken pencil anu
interest book open at pages 12 and llS tue former
containing u calculation OF the interest on ta", aiiu
the other o interest on $500, and pencil marx
upon the former page opposite tue amount o' s4OO
An examination of the bank account does not
show payineDt OF s400 on DecetnpeF 10, wnen Rob-
inson callns to have paid on his note but pay ment
OF sO by one Elliott IL entered as having been made
ON the 10Th of December. which was never made tO
Murray Mcconnell In person. but TO George. and by
him 10 hs father at date prior TO that of the eny.
TESTIMONY OF MRS. N'CONNELL.
Mrs Mcdonnell was the neat wItDess called. Her
testimony mainly cOrroboratlve VI that given Uy
the servant, Mary Ryan.