The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-18
TIE DolaN H9MicDE IN PHILADELPHIA.

EFrcm the Philadelphia Ledger, Nov III
Yesterday, N the oyer and Termlner before Judges
Pierce aud Paxson, the case OF Robert Collins,
charged with the murder OF Denis Doan on the 9TH
or July last, at Slxteenth and Pine streets. was
crowd that followed Mr.. Collins and the two ladies
With HIM we're examined as witnesses, and they in
part sustained the statement already published as
the case OF the Commonwealth. Beng excluded FROM
the court room, and examined singy and ont OF the
hearing OF their companions. their statements differ
ed some particulars. one boy alleged that the
crowd consisted OF but twelve or fifteen boys while
James Hancock. the large boy put the number at
| twenty or twenty-five, ana when examined at
length admitted that the boys were Jostnng Mr.
Collins and the ladies and were noisy. put denied
that he saw stones thrown, although he admitted
that he heard some OF the Boys say tnat stones
used. lie also admitted that offensive remarks wer
used In the crowd. but denied that thera were any
pistol shots from the crowd.
The proprietor OF the Ice cream saloon where the
LADIES and Mr.. Collins FIRST took reIuge was exa-
from thirty to forty boys and that when Mir. Collins
and the ladies' ATTEMPTED TO leave the saloon they
were saluled by q shower Of bricks. The ladies ran
back into the saloon for refuge and he went cut ana
ordered the boys away. some oi them ieit, aid Mr.
Collins and the ladies then made q second attempt
TO get away. The proprietor did not follow them TO
The result, ana testified ne heard taree or -four
shots in the street but supposed IL was incidental
the celebration OF the national anniversary.
the deience alleged that br Collins was actuated
BY seIf-defence. He was coming along Pine street,
foot and trpped one OF the ladies' aud for ms lie
was kicked BY the prisoner. After Tits there
rally OF boys, and after he came from the saloon
where he sought refuge he WIS assaulted by a
shower OF stones and bricks aua one OF the ladies
was so seriously injured .nat she was confined TO
her house for two weeks 1t was then that he drew
his pistol, dschargne one shot Into the ground ana
tho other into The air to frighten the boys, as he
asserted 70 tho lady who renamed with him, the
other having run away.
The case was closed at ten minutes past seven
o'clock. District Attorney Gibbons and Mr. dwight
addressed the JURY for the Commonwealth, and
nessrs. Richard Ludlow and Joseph A. Bonhara pre-
seuting the Case Tor the Prisoner At eight O'Clock
the jury returned verdict OF not guilty, and tlo
defendant was discharged.
Editorial comments from the Philadelphia Press Of
November III
collins, who SHOT boy TO death some tina ago
was yesterday acquitted by the court. This case
was extraordinary. Tie man was set upon by boys,
kicking him. at the time he was walking with two
ladies, With whom hs entered an Ice cream saloor
81 hIle there the boys gathered their forces which
was easily done by means OF watcnword or some
Clue signal, aud The mans exit from the saloon was
a signal for another attack Wiki stones. ne drew a
pistol, and when reconstructed with oy one OF the
ladies' said he did not intend TO ere OF tben but
only 10 lrishien them. one shot was Fred into the
ir seems killed ore o. tue hos whstasr'
directly or by ricocheting Is left 70 pre-.
Sumption. 1t vas quite natural chat puzzle
sympathy should be against the prla0uer put whe n
the case is examined, II was not an assault unor q
weak aud helpless boy Tie crowd igas more than 4
which made Il Formidable as an aduls mob. NJ
DOUBT IL was strictly obedieDt 30 the Impulses aud
seaennss y,s o. i, secret aofgazso9 too many Of
man was murdered by similar crowd OF iuvcnile
roughs Some OF them were trlcd and found guilty
All these things go TO show that sedefance mar 10
Unsuitable even though the attack come from bows
we do not extenuaIe the illegally OF Collins carly
ing weapons.
But another feature about the case ia worthy NJ
notice. Tne boys when on the stand. plainly ey,r,ced
desire to conceal the true state OF the casa Thrv
had apparently get their hearts on convlcEnu tire
prisoner. When one or them displayed more than
usual stuDbornness no was admonishcu BY the Dis
Tict attorney 10 vein go unusual an 20 sstound
even the counsel for the defence the lawyers present
anu The Court. lie asked Tor the Common wealth no
Unfair advantage over tho prisoner. Justice was the
aim OF tho INV and he felt II his duty 10 exnnea
doubtful witness, no matter which side he was on
This was due TO the dignity Of the tst to- to the honor
Of the code, TO The rights Of the prisoner w, thanh
District Attorney Gibbons for this borli,sheli 20
timely thrown into The rutted practice OF the criminal
served. jealousy OF opposition; desire to win. no
matter how INSCRIPTIONS the means; Disregard OF
me Prescriptions OF law-aii these have denraded
ouY criminal practice and mate JUSTICE upop nlorifs
well niQh On iniposspil!ty. Let new ordcr date
IRON yesterday.