The New York herald., 1870-10-06
Murder Trial in the Court of
General Sessions.

The Court OF Oyer and Terminer was crowded yes
terday morning, 1t having been announced by Judge
Ingraham, presiding on the previous day, that the
murder cases on the criminal calender would be
called and the parties accused put on trial. The
spectators who thronged the court room were almost
entirely OF that class who furnish our criminal
calendar with daily records OF crime. There were
also number OF women, no doubt relatives OF the
unhappy men who rendered themselves in moments
Of passion and frenzy amenabc to the law.
THE CASE OF QUINN AND MCCARTHY, FOR THE MUIR
DER OF DAVID REIscHER.
Judge Ingraham took his seat on the bench at the
usual hour, and Immediately after District Attorney
Garvin aud opened the business OF the session
by calling the first on the caendar-Tne People
vs. John Quinn ana Thomas Mccarthy, charged
with the murder Of David Reschcr on the 18th OF
September last. Mr.. Howe, counsel for Quinn,
forward and stated that his client desired to
plead guilty OF mansaughter In the first degree,
which was accepted by the Court.
McCarthy's counsel stated that owing TO some
arrangements he had been compelled to make he
was not ready with sufficient evidence for his client
who was accessory to the crime, and as he was de-
slrOus Of producing q complete defence ne asked
the Court to allow him sufficient time TO prepare
therefor.
lhe District Attorney conferred with the Judge on
the matter, and they agreed grant his request.
APPEARANCE OF THE ACCUSED.
Quinn, the principal offender, Is but twenty years
OF age, with q remarkably lengthy, thin and beard
less face, aud somewhat repulslve cast OF
trauon OF this crime was employed ON the sloop
Lady OF the Lake, running from Kip's Bay To Wal
liamsburg.
Mccarthy is a much stouter man. having but little
in his appearance which indicates angry violent
passions. he mas full face, wears blonde mus
thieves who infes the neighbOfhOod oil Foryseventh
street and First avenue. BY trade he s tailor, but
has also worked o boatnan on tue East river.
Roth DrsOuer5 will DfODaOlv n
Friday next
Judge lngraham then called up for trial the case
or the People VS.. Tn0mas Sheridan, for the mur-
der OF Daniel Michel. 1t will be remembered that
the murdered man was asealled as he was returning
to his home 51O East Tlirty-second street on the
25th OF June last, and that MS assaant was tile
prisoner Sheridan.
TESTIMONY IN THE CASE.
From the evidence taken at the ante-mOrtem ex-
animation II appears that deceased the day IN
question entered Naumans lager beer SAIGON In
Thrty-second street. with the intention Of taking q
glass OF beer. As he was leaving he was mes by
several raians al the door, VINO drove him back
again into the saloon, where he was compelled to
seek the protectIUn OF the bartender. At length,
thinking his assailants had left he ventured FORTH
but was again At acked and compelled to seek pro-
lection from an olcer Tor considerable part OF his
way home HIS assaiiants, however, were watching
his movements, and as soon as the Oficer had leiu
HIM they attacked MIN q third time, which resulted
In his death from stabs then and there inflicted on
HIM by the prisoner At the bar.
SHERIDAN PLEADS GUILTY.
Mr. O. L. stewart, counsel iOr the prisoner, SAID
that ne had instructed his CLIENT Sheridan, to with
draw his former plea OF met guilty. and replace
II by pleading granddaughter in the third degree.
Sheridan then made ms pea to The Court. His
counsel asked The Judge II he would OBJECT 10 taking
his clients verbal statement IN reference to the
CRIME with which ne Was charged, and on ceceIving
an ntimaton that the statement could be taken Jne
prisoner was placed on the stand and gave the
Judge his account or the murder.
sHERIDAN'S STATEMENT OF THE MURDER.
He said that when Michel, the deceased, came out
Of Naumans he struck him (Sherldani a severe blow
on the mead with club, rendering him nsensiDle
he felt q pain afterwards In the back part OF ms
head and from that ne concluded Michel had beaten
him while he was down.
After recovering his senses he went after Michel
to the Second avenue, and saw him walking with
an 0llicer The officer went away, and he then
crossed over and asked Michel Tor an explanation
why he had struck him. Michel, he SAID without
answering, then struck him again win the cuD:
that they subsequently struggled together, bui
Michel, being q much more powerful man than
he, threw MN down and held INN there Tor some
time and he, the prisoner, thioKing nls Lille in
danger, drew his pocket knife ana stabbed him IN
in the abdomen in seli-delence
Sheridan IL about nineteen years Of age OF me-
dlum height, slightly built, with ligh hair and blue
eyes. He has an appearance the reverse OF inviting
The Judge ordered hlm to be brought up Tor SEN
tence on Friday morning, the 7th ipsI, until wEicn
time the criminal business OF The court was ad-
j0urned.