New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-10-19
THE COURTS.
TRIAL OF OWEN HAND-MURDER IN THE FIRST
DEGREE. 4.

TRIAL OF OWEN HAND-MURDER IN THE FIRST
DEGREE.
The trial of Owen Hand for alleged homi-
eide in stabbng James ODOnner at the South Brook
Hn Gas Works, the 18th OF August last. opened
for the prosecution yesterday Judge Gilbert presiding
in the Court Of Oyer and Termiuer by DsrictAtorney
Norris who stated the particulars The following is the
testimony OF James Green: Was employed in the gas
house last August ana know James O'DOnnel ana owen
Hand on the nth OF August they were OOth tee; one
worked at one side Of the house and the Other on Ine
ODOnnen appeared to be little under the influence oI
liquor, and got excited when spoke to him. ABOUT
went and told ODonuen to go TO his
own side Of the house, or ana an xard He heard
them again Quarreling and turned back TO separate
then Hand sag d u go e bome oDohnc went to his
part Of the house and commences 70 CnagG , rnis
there was nail OF water there did not know Hand
wanted drink watched them closely ana IN lew mo-
ments saw o Donnel make pass at him with his hand
Hand fell back few steps and then made passes
at him; the laet was made WIN all ms might; IL
up to separate them; and Hand threw *, knife Re
away and said There I've killed Din has;o
ODOnnel sitting the knife he used taken from
long box where towels and soap ae Kent Hand nad no
necessity 20 1t in his business he stated that u Dc
longed TO him. common sheath kuife was shown 70
had stabbed oDounell he walked hurredy away. ana
went up TO look at the wounded man. his bowels were
prOtrudng at the time, and started for COACH
Jalnes Krwen testified that he was standing by
ODonnen When Hand stabbed him. saying b bnepe . Se
a
sabbng took place that he would SEM ODonnelPs soul
10 hell OtheT witnesses also testified 10 having heard
FXJuase Moore then paced the prisoner Hand on the
for the defense and he testified az follows: THINK
am 40 years OF age; am married ana have FAMILY
nell for six years; the day the ARRAY occurred we
work IN the gas-house hcwas at the east SIDE
and The west sides after dinner no came round 70 me
tnk. and then he struck me; said to Green
II cannot get peace here. d better go holne ana
reen ordered OD0nne home after some time went 10
get drink OF water ODOnnel was there, and he SAID,
You son Of b--h, we got you now IN kill YOU"
and then cut him did not know ODonnen Oh ere,
only object in there was 10 get drink OF water;
had q ght get drink of that water; was
working m tie place of a who had paid for the ice
owned Tie knife; found II in John Green's ooN
had got the kne to cnt the haiis on my Toes nS
towel kept there after used 70 cut the mans on
nav toes cut corn for William Lynch, and then as 1t
was time to go work closed II ana put II IN my
Crossexaninntion-I got the knife ont OF the box the
day before tile stabbuc sharpcned it TO cut Lynchs
cUTD never took home, and did not sharpen II there
do not recOiec Green asking ne whose knife 1t was or
that had something which would send o DOnneus soul
hell in two minutes II he struck me; after stabbed
HIM turned round and threw the knife ont OF my hand
and said, " Eve stabbed him. and yOu do what you
like with me-" Icauuot thai looked back TO see
me several times; got excited that cannot tell
how lOng the light lasted he got up from ms seat ana
he followed about IL feet; suppose struck him very
hard with the knife. Re-direct-l had some tax win
Kirwln about ODOnue said never had any dniculty
pered Recros--I had some difficulties with him before,
and also with other parties.
ExJudge Moore In summing up for the defense sara
the crime did properly within the definition oil
murder in the first degree. He read ODOnnelPs uylnR
statement, which he said that the stabbng had been
done by Hand without any cause or provocation Ine
counsel deposition dd not contain the whole
TRUTH O'DOnne was not in mt condition at the time
ndge Gilbert then charged the Jury as their duties
In the case and they retired and after hours absence
brought in verdict finding the prisoner guilty OF mnr