The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-02-27
HOMICIDE.
KILLING OF DAVID HENNEssEY, a
SPECIAL POLICEMAN.
Arthur Guerin Arrested on Suspicion
TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES.
INQUESr POsrPONE

the facts In en- important perjury case, when an |
officer came in and told the recorder that Dave |
Hernessey had Jest been killed in the Court |
House building near by. The judge, Lawyer |
Hughes and the reporter Immediately started for
the scene. They found Mr.. Hennessey lying dead
in the ccfeehouse In the rear Of the building, the
street entrance to which is on ST. Anne street.
The coheehouse is called the Eighth District
Court and is a small room, fitted up for the ac-
commodation of the youpg men employed
about the courts and sherif7s Office, snd
the lawyers and frequenters Of the build
ing. Hennessey was lying stark and stiff on
his back, bis eyes still open and one leg drawn up
under the other. His breast was partially ex-
posed, DIR. Cspdevielle having been called in
moment after the shooting, and having found de-
ceased in his last gasp. At this time only one shot
wound was spparent-the one immediately over
the heart. In a little WHILE DR.. Avils, the coro-
ner, came in with his assistant, which latter be-
gan Immediately to perform his duties. The
search of the deeeased's person showed the fol
lowing result A deriDger in each pocket of the
pantsloons, a revolver at the back, and clasp
knife, open, immediately in front, the blade and
the handle each about four inches long. There
was leather belt or strap around the waist hold
ing up the pants and affordng a support for
the revolver and the knife. In other pockets
were papers and memorandum, and several
cartridges for pistol. The body was then placed
upon door which had been taken of its hinges,
and borne cut into the yard, where it was raised
upon two wooden horses. Doctor Bsyon, city
physician then began to operate, In order TO dis
| cover the nature Of the wounds. After barring
the chest of deceased IT appeared that he had re-
| ceiyed two mortal wounds, the one penetrating
| the upper portion Of the heart, as well as the
| upper lobe of the lung; the other in the right
SIDE, penetrating the intestines, and lying in the
| immediate vicinityof the skin Of the back. Both
balls were extrcsted and are now in possession Of
| Doctor Avila. The lungs of deceased showed
| that he was far gone n consumption, both being
| full Of tubercles.
| Deceased was man about thirty years OF age,
| and stout and we'll made, though evidently in
bad health. After the autopsy, the body lay in
the court yard, decently covered, but presenting
ghastly and horrible spectacle.
Sergeant Malone, an excellent officer of the po.
| lice arrived few moments after the fatal occur
| renee, and found a revolver behind q safe in the
bar room, three chambers of which had been dis
| charged, and two still loaded. 1t will be seen
from the evidence which ensues that three shots
| we're fired, two taking effect in Hennessey'S
body
| Mr.. Arthur GueEin was arrested, shortly after
the homicide, On Royal street, and surrendered
| himself to Mr.. Joseph Jacobs special Of the
mayor, without offering any opposition. We hear
be had q revolver in his pocket. He is now in
prison. Mr.. Joseph Fernandez. the bsr-keeper at
the Eighth District Court - was also arrested
important witness, but has probably already been
released on bis parole. The following is the testi
| mony so far as brought forth before Doctor
Avila last night. The other testimony will be
taken today at midday
James Brooks (resldiRg on Mdrigny street,
nedf. Morales street, Third District stgOrH -
About O'Clock P. NJ. was ia the coheehouse
when the difficulty occurred. The deputy sheriff
| of the Seventh District Court came in and asked
Us to take drink in a cOffeehouse on. st. Ann
street, between Chsrtres and Royal streets, (Mr.
Freeman and myself, Mr.. Randolph and Mr..
Nixon,) Nixon vent out, Freeman and myself
were standing at the table eating lunch whilst
eating Mr.. Guern and deceased came in Guerin
asked US to take drink, which we did. Guerin
stepped over 10 the table and commenced eating.
Deceased and Freeman were IN oonyersauon.
What it was about don't know. Guerin then
turned around and said "lets take another drink !"
We went up to the bar and took our drink. as
we were about drinking heard the report of o
pistol. Pistol shown.) Cannot say If it was the
same fred. jumped back Immediately, and said
| "In the name of God what are you doing, aud
| what is the matter ~ Heard three shots. Was
so excited l did lot see who did the shooting.
Left Immediately aisE se spo 9o NJ Dick, who told
rns 10 20 to the coroner, to whom reported the
fact as well ss to the police station TO Sergeant
| Malone. That is all know about the matter.
By member Of the coroner's jury-"Do you
know whether deceased and Guerin were on good
terms?"
They appeared so to me-"
'Whcm do you think he was addressing when
be said, What did you do that for""
al cannot say to whom deceased was speak
ing" ,,
, Nixon deputy sheriff, and Mr.. Randolph invited
me to take q drink and st the same time invited
Mr.. Brooks, who was inside at the time. NIXON
aud Randolph then left the bsrroom. Brooks and
| stayed for lunch after they left At this time
deceased and Guerin came in on friendly terms.
No angry words were spoken between the parties
, present. Then GueTn invited Brooks and me TO
! drink. We then stopped and had some conversa-
. | tion between ourselves that is myself, Brooks,
deceased ard Guerin. Then / invited Gaerin to
take drink, as well as the others. We went TO
the bar and drank. Then stood at the bar and
+. | drank on friendly terms. At this time heard
! shot fred and deceased fell on the floor and said,
"My God, what are you doing that for ~ At the
ssme time l saw GueTin raising bis hand and
! swinging 1t around. took the man TO be
! | crazy. But 10 say what he had In his
possession, cannot. After that the deceased fell
7 | down. / saw it: bat TO say whether the shot
! | came from-whsther from Guerin or from out
| side-is more than can tell, because when the
shots were fred l showed GueTin to one side and
/, | said " What the hell is upg" and went behind
/, the bar alongside of JOe the barkeeper. This iE
| all know about the case. Think there were two
shots fred. The door was opened and we ell goi
| excited ct ence. ! saw Guerin make motion
but saw nothing in bis hands. Can't tell whom
/; | deceased was addressing when he said My God
. what are you DOING Knew deceased, Gnerln
: and all the parties. Thought they wers all on
! friendly terms. Not an angry word passed. No
!. one else but the four spoken OF and the two bar
keepers were in the cOffeehouse at the time. Al
that was looking at was Hennessey when be fell
The shots were fred in quick succession, just al
/ cuick ss lightning. Never saw the pistol noH
!. pro duced before. Know nothing about 1t.
Z joseph Fernandez slCoYn-Reslde on Crap
u house drink ing with me. Afterwards Mr.. Free
!. man came in, and then Guerin and the de ceased
y | All four had drink together. They were talking
: there about an hour and half or more. The.
!. drank twice together. Brooks and Guerin wer
y at the lunch table talking together. Freeman an
Hennessey were at the foot Of the counter tslkin
together. Freeman called Guerin 10 take drink
AL al