The New York herald., 1869-10-21
COURT or GENERAL SESSIONS.

Grand LarceDtes-Alleged Highway Robbery
by Y0urhs--A Boy Committed for Contempt
Of Court and subsequently, Released.
Before Cunning 8. Bedford Jr City Judge.
At the opening OF the court yesterday James
Thompson, who pleaded guilty to an attempt at
burglary In the third degree few days since. was
sentenced to the Penitentiary for one year.
James Smith, who was charged with Durglariousy
entering the premises OF John J. Shaier. No. ll3
Alien street, on the 80 inst, pleaded guilty to an
attempt at burglary in the third degree, and was
sent TO the Pententiary for six months.
Henry BorwiH, charged with stealing nineteen
pairs OF pantaloOns on the 18th is the property OF
John Suchner pleaded guilty 10 an attempt at grand
larceny. He was sent to the state Prison FOR two
years.
Johanna wenthart was placed on trial charged
with stealing Sl25 In money and watch, on the 2lst
OF September, from Michael Farley, who swore thar
he met her In the Bowery. The accused told dlf-
ierent story stating that Farley promised TO marry
jury rendered q verdict or not guilty.
MichaelAKayanagh and Joseph White tboys) were
charged Win ROBBERY IN the irst degree Mrs. L. $.
Keys testified that while she was passing through
Ihrtysecond street, on the 18th inst, boy sprang
upon her and grabbed her chain. She pursued him
and would have caught him mad II not been that TWO
boys held her arms.
little girl named Julia Schultz stated that she
Nas loy5ipg oqt o. 9 WINDOW when she saw
that White WAS one OF the boys who detained Mrs,
Keys when she endeavored to capture kavanagh.
Sne positively identified the prisoners.
John WILKINS was then called as a witness by Dis
trict Attorney iutcnings, but the boy obstinately
refused 10 take the necessary OATH The prosecuting
officer and Judge Bedford examined him at
length, finally ellcitng the fact that young CON-
panes oil the prisoners threatened personal violence
If he appeared as witness, and that his brother,
Klaus wilkins, residing IN Eighth avenue, told HIM
that he must not swear in that case The Judge
endeavored TO persuade him to consent to be sworn
cautlonnn HIM that II he persisted In re-
fuSing 10 40 SO 1t would be his duty to lock
him up for contempt OF Court. The boy, who had
reached the age OF sixteen years, was mmovable,
n M IN.
drawn until the obstinate witness would give his
testimony. This course was pursued and the
prisoners were remanded for trial. Mr.. Howe, their
counsel offered to take the boys statement instead
OF MS sworn testimony, but the Judge deemed It
proper maintain the dignity OF the court The
period OF the afternoon the brother OF the boy was
brought before Judge Bedford, who cautioned him
as TO his statutory rights and also Informed him that
II Were true that he instructed the youth to refuse
TO testify IN court he would send the matter before
the Grand jury and have him indicted for tamper-
ing with witness. After considerable discussion
the Court permitted the elder brother lwho was
thirty years old) and the youthful obstinate witness
to go home. they having promised 10 appear next
term and TESTIFY under oath when the case was
called up for trial.
John Manchester was charged with robbing John
Buckley IN saloon, the 2lst OF September, OF the
sum Of twenty-one dollars. The evidence was so
conflicting and unsatisfactory that Mir. HutcninRs
virtually abandoned the case and the Jury acquitted
the accused
Oscar Wilson, who was indicted for petty larcen
IRON the person IN stealing watch from Henry
Houss.lng on the 5th inst, was tried and declared
not guilty. The testimony for the prosecution was
weak and only circumstantia and the accused hav.
ing proven on excellent character the Jury promptly
rendered y verdict OF acqutta.