The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-23

Diekey FouEaa uuury Of Murasi n Tic
First Degree.
The Last Acts in the Tragedy-Summing
Up of Counsel and the Judges
Charge-TheOry OF the Defence
The Verdict - Scenes About
the Court Rom.

The entire morning and most OF the afternoon OF
yesterday was taken up by counsel on the
part OF the defence and the prosecution In summing
up addressing the jury, who have been 40 patient
since last Thursday as to evoke general comment,
IN the OF John Dickey trial for the murder OF
his wife, Mary Ann Dickey In the Bergen County
Court of Oyer and Termlner. at Hackensack, N. J.
Crowds thr0nged the room. and made ingress and
egress matter OF lmpossbihty. ana among these,
although the day was very stormy, were many la
dies, who listened to the arguments with evident
interest.
Ex-Judge Charles II. VOORHEES,, who has displayed
signal ability In the discharge OF duty assigned
him by the Court the defence Of Dckey, proceeded
at nine O'Clock to address the jury and consumed
thu entire morning. He was Ingenious elaborate
and eloquent holding thar, from circumstances and
facts deduced, the principal witnesses OF the
State-Wiiiam ]. Mooney and Margaret Jane
Dickey, the prisoners daughter-could not be be-
lIeved; IN word, their statements were manufac-
tured for the occasion and that the wounds received
by Colin Colquhun and Mary Ann Dickey, from
which they died, were given them while they were
In the commission or about to commit the act or
adultery. This theory the counsel claimed that the
testimony Of DR.. Crary established without doubt
TO be the truth. In conclusion he asked for verdict
Of acquttal or one OF manslaughter.
M. NJ Knapp OF Hackensack, for the State, then
followed occupied the attention Of the jury for
two hours and o half Step by step, piece py piece
he reviewed the testimony adduced during the trial.
and held up the statements of the witnesses Mooney
ana the prisoners daughter to them in every aspect
lie reviewed the characters OF Dickey established
by the evidence, and characterized the attempt OF
counsel on the other side to besmatter the dead
with scandal to backen virtue that q murderer
might 20 free as Infamous, disgracefui ana fear
fnl and calculated to wreck society. This gentle
mans argument was listened TO with GREATNESS
nd a a InaI tn Nina
OF family obligations, the tyranny Of husbands the
heroic girl, Margaret, and her murdered mother,
logical, conclusive aud eloquent, and seemingly
made great impression upon the jury.
Judge Bedle then commenced to charge the jury
upon the law and evidence in the case, abiding to
every portion OF the incidents Of the CRIME as de-
veloped. and &C five O'Clock the Jury retired to
deliberate upon verdict scores being about the
court room at that hour hoping to soon be able 10
know the last act OF this fearful tragedy
The scenes in the court room after the jury retired
were impressive and suggestive. Men OF gray hairs
and years threescore and ten. with youths or
tender age, remained hoping to soon know the
fate Of the man whose crime has made them for the
past week to shudder. At Six O'Clock Judge Bede
adjourned the court until the jury should agree and
the villagers by Inc ringing OF the court house bell
supper had hardly been eaten at the neighbOring
the bell Announced that the fate Of John DcEey had
been decided upon. At twenty-five minutes past six
O'CLOCK the court room, crowded in every nook and
corner, with District Attorney Ackerson and NJ. M.
Knapp, representing the State and the counsel for
the defence present the jury, one by one with
solemn faces and measured steps, took the places
that since last Thursday they have so patiently
flied. Judge Bedle, IN kindly voice.
told the Sheriff to bring up the defendant DicKey
The venerable clerk OF the court, Mr.. Bauvet stood
at his desk, serious and contemplatlve. DickeJ
came up in minute and took his accustomed place
and. for the first time during the serious ordeal
manifested his nervousness by excessive twitchlngs
OF his face. The jury were called, when again the
Court spoke, advising 'the defendant to stand up"
Dickey Obeyed the order and the jury arising to
their feet, Clerk Blauvelt put the question, "And
how find you, gentlemen Of the jury Is the prisoner
guilty or not guilty I"
equity OF murder in the first degree" came from
the foreman, Garrett A. Herring, amid silence in
dlcatve OF the interest that had been excited and
maintained during the entire trial. The convicted
murderer was remanded at once, and IN the act OF
his leaving the room IN charge OF Sheriff Van Blar-
com and an officer, manifested some emotion and
extreme seriousness. The sickly smile and meagre
tears told more OF the workings Of his heart than
human foresight had yet before the ingenuity to
conjecture.
The Court then, in q few expressive sentences.
again thanked the jurors for Their patience and
attention. and discharged them.
Bergen county never in Its experience has known
trial that revealed much of heartessness, SO
much Of cruelty aud iniamy-the nfamy after wife
has been slam by the hand OF her husband 10 at
tempt TO hide the crime behind 0 foul smirch upon
the lair name Of the wife OF his bosom and the
mother Of his children.