The New York herald., 1870-03-16
COURT or GENERAL SESSIONS.

Before Cunning s. Bedford, Jr., City Judge.
CoL0RED MAN SENT TO SING SING FOR STEALING
BOOKS
AT the opening Of the court yesterday John Gibbs,
IN aged colored man, pleaded guilty TO grand lar
seny. He was charged with stealing q quantity OF
valuable books, on the 2sd OF February the prop
erty OF John Austin stevens. Jr. Judge Bedford In
passing sentence sald:-
Gibbs, you have been indicted FOR grand larceny:
you nave pleaded guilty; you nave committed
great outrage. 1t appears Chat you were employed
as porter AZ 63 William street, that during the last
three weeks you have caused to pe removed some
$3,0UO worth OF books owned by j. Austin Stevens
Jr, tearing the covers OF ana otherwlse ulsH
them. Some OF these books We're VI great value and
perhaps can never be replaced. Your crime Ia a
great one and the sentence OF the Court four years
N State Prison.
AN AGGRAVATED CASE OF ARsoS-PRoPosED DE-
FENCE OF INSANITY.
Margaret +. McGuire was placed at the bar
charged with arson IN the second degree having set
nre TO a dwelling hoase with the Intention OF burn
ing up two little children.
MIR. McClelland, her counsel asked for q postpone-
ment OF the trial, to give him time obtain CON-
mission from abroad sho wing the insanity OF his
CLIENT He frankly admitted that 1t was the most
aggravated case Of arson that occurred In this
city, but claimed that the girl perpetrated the act
wien laborinG under mental arrangement He Of
fered to give the District Attorney plea OF arson In
the third degree, simply to save time.
Assistant District Attorney Fellows said that his
duty to tue public prevented hi taxing that plea,
although the prisoner was woman.
Judge Bedford remarked That he would only take
pleas from sane persons II there was any doubt
regarding the mental condiLlon OF tie prisoner ne
would give her months OF time to prepare the de-
fence rather than u assume lhe responsibility OF
sending to the State PRISON upon plea offered
Tue eirl was resnanded add tue counsel was in
structed to prepare the necessary aIidav which he
dd, and the case was set down for the June term.
Viii be remembered that this prisoner as brought
nv n N lf IN
degree was aoOut being accepted when the City
Judge discovered from perusa OF the testimony
that the case was SO horrible that would have been
improper 70 take any other pea than arson the
second degree.
BURGLARY.
James owens was tried and convicted OF burglary
IN Tie seconu deg he having the 10th OF Jantl-
any buis arousy entered the apartments OF James
Gallagher, ~ Downing street, and stolen CLOCK. The
defence attempted to establish an aD, but the jury
dld not place any Confidence III It, Inc prisoner was
young man and Mr. Hummer Appealed for
lenlehcy. his Honor sent owens to the state Prison
for Lwo years.
AAorHER CASE OF GRAND LARCENY
Mary Z. WllA,n was placed AT the bar charged
with stealing $24O worm oi ladies' wearing apparel
the 24th OF february, the property OF Mrs James
Hunt his case was carefully Investigated py tue
City Judge owing 20 The Iact that The accused was
the wife OF very respectable cEizen, that she ala
not steal i0r the purpose ot gam aud tnaL atnouyh
Saere were seven complaints against hes nearly al
tne property was recovered by detectives to whom
frankly confessed her quit. Sue had beautiful
nLLe Qlri IN her arms was also accompanied bJ
her husband. Mr. Howe made an eloquent appeal
y,
The prisoner affected Almost spectator tears.
Mr. FeuOws cunsenLed unaer ali tae circumstances,
to take a plea VI an attempt TO commit grand lar
ceny and Judge Bedford sen enced ner to tne fenl-
Senuary Tor one year. AS soon as the Judgment was
PRONOUNCED. the woman ianted and Was bol ne from
the court room by The Oihcers.
4 HORRIBLE CASE or YOUTHFUL DEPRAvITY--A SON
ATTEArTs TO MURDER MS FATHER AND ORDERS A
COfFiN-JUD0B BEDFORD SENDS HIM TO THE STATE
PRISON FOX NINE YEARS AND SIX MONTHS.
Michael Hallohan, Jr., reckless looking youth,
was arraigned and pleaded guilty TO an assault
at o5 Beach street, ne having cut his throat with
razor lnnlctlny q terrible cash upon IL.
Captain Petty made an Interesting statement to
the Judge respecting The case. lI appears that the
faLner came ~ tpe station on the evening In Ques-
tIon, and having horrible cash IN his throat one
the man 10 Bellevue Hospital, where he remained
several weekaA The boy WAS arreBaed about mid
night and wncn brought inLo the station house APP
peared to De inC0x icated. After he assauted ms
fatner ne went TO Ill undertaken IN feari street,
and ordered co1in, with q suitable Inscription,
staung tnat his tsiher died tnat morning. The
c0Iin was sent 10 the house, when the undertaken
asceflaled that the dead manh was III the hospi-
tai. Inc father stated TO the captain that his son
was very Sad boy. that on previous OCCASION ne
struck him on the head, and frequently pawDed
ci0LninQ to procure rum. Jhe captain said that
young Hallohan was q irst rate workman ut UNI
breii2s, and he kept from drink he could always
earn goOu wages.
Judge Bedfvrd, In passing sentence, said:-Cap-
tain Petty gives you yery bad character, you hav
ting made previous attempts 10 take your own
lalher's liie Through the advice OF counsei you
have pleaded gulty. Had your father died from the
effects of these wounds the Grand Jury would nave
indicted you for murder, and as sure as you stand
theie. pleading guilty 10 this offence you would
have been convicted Of that crilne, and yo4 would
necessarily have eXpiaed your crime upon The scai-
fUid. do not see my palliatng circumstance what
ever III your case, ana oar ather has asked me TO
De Is severe I'm you as l pOssiDly eau. Ou not
on,y attempted to murder your oNu father, out
aceoIding W Captain fetty you are tniel' anu