The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-18
A MURDEREss ON TRIAL.
A Family Flight after the Burial Of their Fa-
ther-Gin and Buschery- Novel Scene.

ihrr- Gin and Buichery- Novel scene.
The Court of General Sessions, New York,
presented Yesterday a novel spectacle-t was
q trial for murder of woman in the first de-
gree. Shortly after the opening of the Court,
Mr.. Sparks called in loud voice for the pri-
e0ner Ellen Rebecca Ust The turnkey of Tho
prisoners dock removed the iron bolt oponed
the small door, and the accused who s short
woman of about thirty years, walked forth.
She had an infant in her arms. She took seat
beside her counsel, Charles 8. Spencer, Esq.,,
and throughout the trial twitched nervously In
her seat. She watched the case with the closest
attention. rNI Iallgei f- aolls .fsftf
District Attorney William M. Tweed, Jr.,
arose and opened the case for the people. He
said that the prisoner at the bar was placed ON
trial for the murder of Thomas Barrett on the
18th of September last at No. l70 West Broad
way. He hoped that the jury would not be
verdict by sympathy for the prisoner, who was
a woman, or for the innocent babe which she
held in her arms He asked for o verdict OF
murder in the first degree.
Mr.. Tweed having resumed his seat. the first
witness for the people, Mary Ann Dunn, took
the stand. She testified that on the 18th of Sep
tember, at about o'clock in the evening, she,
in company with the deceased man and her
other brother, William Barrett, and John Bar
rett her cousin, and also the prisoner aud her
| sister, Fanny Nolan, returned from Calvary
| Cemetery, where they had been to attend the
| funeral of her father, who was buried on that
| soners apartments to get supper. The prisoner
| and her brother, William Barrett, were occupy
| ing them and living as husband and wife, After
| they had finished supper Fanny Nolan took her
| departure. A few moments afterwards witness
arose and asked John and William Barrett to
accompany her to her house, No. 8 Staple street.
/ Thomas Barrett took offense at his not being
| invited, and addressed some profane remark
to witness. At this she (the witness) crossed
1 the room and struck him the shoulder
i with her parasol. He repeated the remark, and
| she struck him in the face q second time. He
then jumped up and seized her. At this juno
ture William Barrett interfered. Barrett still
holding her, said, ''Oh, can lick you any day. y
The prisoner, who had been spectator, then
said to Barrett, 'If you can lick him lean lick
yop." The brothers began q struggle and
cliIfcbed The prisoner took up hazel stick,
about as thick as q broomstick and about as
long, and was about to strike Thomas Barrett,
when witness wrested it from her. Then the
prisoner ran into the bedroom, and, raising the
lid Of trunk, took out a large bowie knife, and,
stealthily approaching Thomas Barrett and vii.
liam Barrett, who were still struggling, plunged
the knife into the stomach of Thomas, who in
stantly cried out, Murder! murderi / am
stabbed" William Barrett then caught hold ol
prisoner Witness ran out of the room for an
officer, and when she returned met the prisoner
and Thomas in the hallway of the house strag
Cling. T AZ .4 GotaW ~ o1rtasf