The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-07-23
THE F1oNEScB SCANNED INQUEST
The Coroner's Court again Crowded with
Political Loungers Brilliant Defence OF
his Client by John GYaham-A Liar on
the Mltmcsa Hinnd-A n aniahinR Yerdicf.


Political Ioungers brilliant Defence Of
his Client by John GYaham-A Liar on
the Witness Notwithstanding Verdict.
The investigation into the circumstances at
tending the death Of Florence Scanned was eopcuded
BY Coroner Flynn yesterday afternoon. The court
room was again crowded with the same hard
visagcd gang of played.ou, politicians and
roushs who were thore the day before The
testimony Of six or seven witnesses was taken,
which was merely corroborative and unimportant.
During tho examination OF the frst witness the
counsel for the Scanned party objected 70 any test
mony as to what Scanned did before the occurrence.
MIR. John Graham then arose, and, with inimitable
GOODNESS. made perfect onslaught upon Dunphy.
Scanned, and the whole OF the brilliant eoteyie lie
said that he would not allow John scsnne, and
cane OF ARMED RUrTIAHs
from the upper part OF the city 10 come into that
court room and ovorawo that investigation
Neither would he permit the counsel for the scan.
mel party to attempt 10 mpesch his witnesses as le
did not represent the people, and John Scanned was
not party TO this case. There are only two sides
to this nquiry-the people and the prisoser and "
John Scanners advocate continued In his in.erGp-
tons, he would send over and get nom the Distric,
Attorney a dlsayowa OF his advocacy. When
Young the detective called, and sworn as 10 the
days ago to having seen Donohue in the act Of 6rnV
the fatal shot, the Scanned counsel again objected
MIR. Graham offered to slow that he suggested this
witness to show that
FLOOD WAS A COMMON rHIEF,
and had been in the rcnitontiary six months for
stealing, and that his general reputation was that of
vagabond and that he was not to be believed un.
der oath. Mr.. Graham ridic lied the idea Of such
mans going around protecting the purity Of the
ballot box. The Cororer ruisd out the testimony,
as II nal not been offered at proper stage of the
proceedings Mr. Graham also took occasion to 20
after Dr. Slime with sharp stick lie told him
and that he did not take down verbatim all OF the
witnesses answers The Doctor was not Little
confused at this Just and we'll mered rebuke.
DR.. Chas. 7. Roberts. the physician who had at.
tended Scanned rom the time OF his removal rom
the hosoita testified that IL the shot had been fred
from the desk at tire end uf the bar the wound
would not have been In the left side.
ruE PERSON VINO suor him
stood In the rear and TO the right OF him. he must
have dropped instAntaneously, probably into sit
ting posture. The testimony Of a man named VIM.
Ainsley was most remarkable. lie went into the
house ofDono hue with Scanned saw no clubs used
saw no lighting and heard but one pistol shot fired.
He said that Donohue reached deliberately the
bar TO Scanned and fired. His testimony contra.
dic,ed that admitted by the scanpel party, and q
smile apparent upon the faces Of all inside the
railing, caused by the audacity of the witnesses as.
sertions. Mr.. Graham assliled his eredibility.
The dntsn0rten deposition was ,hen read to the
Florence Scanned said that could have shot
him unless be lad been Behind the bar, and he only
le believed no one but Thos. Donohuc shot him.
This closed the testimony In tue case. but a, the de-
Florence Scanned at Bellevue Hospital 10 DR.. Beach
was read, In which he confessed that
He DID NOT KNOW WHO snor HIM.
Mr.. John Graham then arose. and though a dis
courteous Is, attempt was made TO PterrSp. and Dis
Scanned party, he said In substance that he thought
that this was case that called for some serious re-
marks from tie Coroner for whatever verdict was
rendered he believed that the hours OF his client
| would be numbered. His enemies only wanted the
signal for his assassination. lie counseled him TO
advise the jury that they must decide which state.
| meDt they would believe-the one made when the
deceased mans mind wa perfectly unimpaired or
| sinking fast. lie alluded TO facts which could and
| could no, be manufactured; and among the latter
YVES the important one that Donohue was shot from
behind, Tor he turned and the shot entered at the
| back part OF the arm. Mr. Graham then urged the
| Coroner TO ADVISE the jury OF the
| THREE FORMS OF VERDICT,
and conteuded that they must select either Of two
| yerdicts II Florence Scanned was shot by Dono
hue, ii done in selfdefence; or he came to his
The Jury in their verdict must judge OF the credi
bity Of the witnesses, Of the influencing motives
and 4 The testimony gwen VA reasonably probable
cluded by saying that person has reasonable
ground TO believe that his life is in danger he is per
| iectly justified in nring in sef~ieienee Alter few
remarks by Coroner Flynn. during which he tool
| occasion TO compliment Mr.. Graham the fin,
points he had made, the jury retired. AMER benl
out An hour they returned, and amid the most pro
found silence -.
RENDERED THEIR VERDICT,
which was that Florence Scanned had come 10 his
death from pistol-shot wound, caused by a sho
bred By Thomas Donohuo. The verdict cause
much asonishment inside the railing. as the test
mony was REGARDED as totally insufficient TO impl
cate the accused man, The prisoner appeared some
what moved when asked what answer he had 4
| make TO the verdict, but Mr. Graham at once steppe
| arI nd a
| ANSWER FOR DoSoUus.
| Ihave given truthful statement OF this occurrence
10 nv evidence before the Coroner's jury. AccOrdln
| 10 my knowledge and belief had no hand IN ocei
sionng Florence Scannels death, notwithstanding IN
verdict OF the CorOner's Jury. believe TO be wron
| aud Uni Justified BY tine evidence ~. $500. ,,,-
| No specified charge being made by the jury In the
| remarkable verdict, the prisoner was recommitie
| TO the charge OF Capt Cameron until consultaiio
could be had " 18th the District Attorney. lii state
that Donohue will either he bound over to await III
action Of the Grand jury, or will be discharged o
| the ground OF justnable homicide. The case WI
| then adjou rned until to-day at II o'clock.