The New York herald., 1869-06-26
COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS.
Before Recorder Hackett.

ALLEGED CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.
The Grand Jury brought IN number Of indct-
ments, to which the prisoners pleaded not guilty.
Among the bills was one for murder in the first de-
gree, found against John Purcell, for the alleged
shooting OF william Herman. The prisoner when
arragnea stated that Judge Stuart his counsel.
The calendar was composed principally of indict-
ments for the alleged violation of the act to prevent
cruelty 10 animals. Assistant District Attorney
Blunt conducted the prosecution oi the cases with
marked ability and despatch.
John Klauss and William c. Roche were tried upon
indictments charging them with brutaly treating
tam the charges and they were acquitted.
PeteS McKenna was tried on charge OF cruelty
treating his horse 6y driving MIN through ne Sne
! foot was diseased that corruption was oozng
from it, rendering 1t impossible for the horse TO use
that foot. The jury rendered verdict OF guilty and
the Recorder imposed fine OF twenty-five dollars.
william Kiernan, who was charged with cruelty
treating his horse, and John Kicker, charged with
similar offence, severaly plead guilty. they were
each nned twenty-five dollars.
Mr. Bergn. the President OF the Society for the Pre-
vention OF Cruelty TO Animals, and Mr. Blunt were
To exchange congratulatory smiles at the sue
cess which had crowned their unweared labors IN
promoting the humanitarian objects which the socle
DISCHARGE OF THE GRAND JURY.
Later in the day the Grand Jury came into court
and the foreman having stated that they had finished
their business the Recorder discharged them, with
the thanks OF the Court
ALLEGED ARSON.
Samuel LANG. who was acquitted on Wednesday
OF arson, by variance between the proof and the
indictment, was placed at the bar. Mr. Hutchings
stated that the majority OF the witnesses in the case
former residents OF the state Prison and Peni-
tentlary and believing them TO be disqualified he
abandoned the case. Mr. kiniZIng appeared Tor the
accused
SENTENCE OF THE BROADWAY PIcKPocKErs,
John Roach and James Mcconnell. VINO were con-
yicted OF picking the pocket OF Mr.. McCready IN "A
Broadway stage were arraigned for sentence. Coun-
sci for the prisoners made speech TO the Court
motion Tor a new trial. and In the course OF his re-
marks he alleged that the minds Of the jury were
poisoned by certain articles which appeared in one
OF the penny papers. The Recorder denied the mo
ton, and sentenced Roach and McConnell ~ impris
onment IN the state Prison for three years.
THE ALLEGED BURNING oP THE TwENTY-THlRD
STREET STABLES.
Assistant District Attorney Hutchings rose and
said-May It please the Court, a complaint was made
before Justice bowling on the 1th day OF this month
against william T. sheldon, John n. Briggs. Robert
l.. Briggs and Henry Z. Ross IN regard TO some sta
Sixth avenue. william y. sheldon, although on the
papers rs prisoner, Is, IN fact the princI-
pal witness for the prosecution, whatever that
prosecution may be. 10 has been impossible for
the District Attorney 10 obtain the attendance before
the Grand Jury Of one or two other Witnesses who
Ere MsfsSa H la akeT aSans these kSf O S SeS H
The answer always Is They are out OF town
sick.n Judge Bowling, in accordance with his duty
IN fact having no other duty TO perform upon these
aihdaylts, there being probable cause, held them
ana sent the papers TO ths court They were balled
IN the sum Of $4,000 Mr.. william =. Earle going
bail for one the Brggses and Mr.. Francis A. Palmer
President OF the Broadway Bank, bail for the other
appear rs William T. sheldon whose evidence is the
foundation OF the whole superstructure OF this
lie Is now In court, Your Honor has cOnversed
with him, as have. lie stated to your Honor that
the statement he made before the late Fire Marshal
Baker was not true, and you required him to make
affidavit TO that effect. will read the affidavit
which be has made, and which has been sworn 10
before your Honor:=.
Cify and COUNTY Of Nslr William r Sheldon, being
duy sworn the statement made by him before A. 4.
Baker and Ben amin +. Clayton June D. 1879 relative 10 the
hrng and burning OF the Brggs Brothers stables Nos lb
and III West Twenty street, and running through
West Tweniyfourth street. the evening Of the Goth OF
Dowlng the 1th day june ls6q Ia William r.
sheldon further that for the 1--WE he has been
times insane caused by disease and pos0ns aud at such
time had knowledge OF his actions that be had
quantities Of simuants and the statement made 10 the
said tire Marshal Baker made while under
excitement caused by the Of stimulants furher
he does not believe that John H. Briggs Robert L. Briggs OF
either directly Indirectly, with the nrng and burning
OF said premises. And William r. sheldon further that
he himself entirely innocent OF knowledge
participation In the hrne and burning premises aud
iurher that he was In bed and asleep at the time % he Ere
W. =. SHELDON
subscribed before me this ash day OF June,
h69-JoHN X. HAcKErr, Recorder.
Mr. Hutchings rcsumed-lt therefore becomes my
duty, as matter OF eXoneraton 70 these TWO gem
tlemen upon this AFFIDAVIT, to move TO discharge
re Recorder order Hackctt-1he motion Is granted and the
bail IS discharged.
Mr. HutchinVs-As regards Sheldon, do not know
what Will DE done with him yet.