The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-24
BROOkL YIN CITY.
TIE COURTS.
SUpRs M COURT.

Owen Hand Sentenced 10 be- HANGED for abe
Murder Of janice O'Donneii.
Before Judges Gilbert and Troy. and Associate Jus
nces VOORHEES, and H0yt.
Owen Hand, who was tried and convicted upon
an indictment against him for the murder OF James
0DonneD, before the Court OF Oyer and
Terminer, last week, was arraigned for sen
tence In this court shortly after eleven O'Clock
yesterday morning. The accused Il VIII be remem-
bered, worked az the Citzens' Gas Works, South
Brooklyn, where the deceased was also employed in
August last. quarrel arose bet ween the men some
days previous 10 the stabbing array, growing
out Of the question OF the nght OF the prisoner
TO partake OF Ice water, which purchased
by ODonnell and others, at their expense There
had been some wranglng, and much bitter feeling
eliminated in the Unfortunate and fatal encounter
OF the 18th OF August, when Hand was struck by
O'Donnel as the former claimss and resented by
stabblng him twice with a sheath knife. Vie
wounded man died three days after Of his wounds.
The prisoner was brought into court, escorted by
Sergeant Rogers and an officer, few minutes before
eleven O'Clock, the hour appointed by the Court for
passing the dread sentence. Hand, though pale and
careworn from long confinement, did not display
any noticeable symptoms Of unusual nervousness
he was conducted TO his seat. He was plainly.
though neatly attlred, and while awaiting
him. The cour! room was crowded in every part.
The only sound dstlnsalSEaes yas ips eaTpss.
his clients. who were defendants, were sued for the
recovery OF $4,000, the sum IN which the plaintiff
In the latter case alleged he had sustained loss,
defendants, who are New York stock trokocs.
In was, indeed, strange legal contract
for the casual spectator 10 witness, on
rejecting the varied issues stake between the Two
causes, though OF course IN no way connected The
counsel for the brokers defending case OF finances
before jury on the one hand, ana the doomed man
awaiting quietly IN corner OF the court room the
action OF the Court which was TO decide bis fate OF
lie or death. The delay was not pIotracted more
than five minutes, however, when Judge Gilbert adj.
lourned the civil suit, and owen Hand was sum
moned before the bar
The Clerk OF the Court said:-Owen Hand, you
know that heretofore were indicted Tor the crime
| OF murder to which you pleaded not guilty. You
| were then tried by Jury OF your countrymen and
| found guilty. What have you now 10 say why SEN
sence should not be pronounced against your
| After exchanging few words with his counsel,
ex-Judge Henry A. Moore. he placed his hands on
| the railing and said In answer 10 Judge GnDerrs IN
qury as TO what he mad to say:-'I have nothing,
your Honor 70 say only 10 say that am moi guilty
\ have TO say
| Judge Gilbert then sald:-sYou were tried for this
crime under circumstances OF very great fairness,
and by jury OF your own seection they were gen
| tlemen oil intelligence gentlemen OF character who
| gave your case a careful consideration. From the
doubt that you deliberately took the life OF 0Donnell
and that In the eye OF the law you are guilty OF murder
For the plea OF selfdeence there Is not the slight
est foundation, II having been clearly proved that
| you deliberately took the life OF 0'Donne and that
you had the knife IN your hand for that purpose.
| The evidence can leave no doubt on our minds
| as TO your guilt ana the effort TO excite sym
pathy by the plea OF seildeenee Will fa; therefore,
| you may consider yourself In all probability a
doomed man. The sentence OF the Court Is that you
be confined IN the county jail until Friday the sd
day OF December next and then between the hours
OF nine O'Clock IN the morning and two in the alter
noon, You be hanged by the neck until you dead
Remand the prisoner"
a. the last words of the sentence pronounced
the unfortunate man turned a shade paler. but
braclng himself up AS II were, he strobe steadily or
TO his chair and sat down. without exhibiting any
particular signs OF emotion. On the way out OF the
court room he recognized two or three acqualnt
ances and saluted them In q familiar man
ner. While passing through Wiloughby street in
custody OF Sergeant Rogers he remarked that IL
strange how some had 10 suffer the full penalty OF
the law while Others get on so much easier; tnat
the negro who KILLED William Fitzpatrick
had been sent to the Penitentary Tor
two years and half; but ne Hand did
not care TO live now. Before entering the Jail
ne looked about him and said that be supposed II
was the last tme ne would 60 that way until he
Went TO heaven. The condemned man IS shout
forty years OF age, rather intelligent looking mar
RED and has two children he is native OF Ire aud
and came 10 America nineteen years ago.