The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-10-05
DIR. SHINE TO BE PUNISHED.
Investirstion In tho Case Of DR.. r1crrili-A
Medical jury tho Testimony Rx-
Judge stuarts Opinion Of Dr. shine
Forgery aud Frsud-Dr. Merrill Free.

Forsery aud Frsud-Dr. Merrill Free.
An investigation was begun yesterday by Coro-
ner Flynn In tho Of DIR. John N. Merrill, who
was outrageously arrested few days ago By order
OF DR.. Shine. who locked him up IN the Tombs on q
commitment purportlng To be from Coroner Flynn,
tho charge being medical malpractice. when the
case came up yesterday DR.. Shine introduced as the
jury selected TO try DIR. Merrill Drs. J. G. Morton,
H. W. Good, Stephen j. Clark, ~. r. chauveau, T..
O. Fnnell, and join O'roole.
The sister Of John Lineh,n, whose death az 10
Albany street on the nd u formed tho basis OF the
complaint against DR.. Merrill was called to make
oath TO the statement previously made by her TO
Dr. Shine, and presented by him, that their dead
relative hsd been given croton oil for pain In the
stomach.
Ex-Judgo Stunrt, who appeared a. co unsel for Dr.
Merrill, wished to make q few remarks before any
testimony was taken,
Coroner Flynn was willing to hear the counsel,
though II was irreguiar.
judge Stuart proceeded TO say that his client had
been arrested and committed TO prison on what pur
ported to be Coroner's warrant but which he had
reason to believe was n forged paper. For what Dr.
Merrill had been arrested he did not know ct the
time. but the nsxt day he was called on TO answer
charge Of medical malpractice. Counsel had i'm.
quircd at the ONCE OF Ike Board OF Mesitn and as
certained that an inquest had held the day be-
toto and an autopsy made, and q verdict rendered
thut death was caused by the administration OF
ton oil for constipation Of the bowels. Some OF the
iurymen impanelled had been questioned, and they
denied that any autopsy had been made or any testi
mony taken. Counsel said that II all this premi-
nHy inquest wna fraud and an outrage, the present
proceeding was all right II not the reverse VAS tho
case, and Coroner Flynn was In error.
Coroner Flynn explained that IL was usual with
him TO give certificates OF death. and lot the case
stand over. The examination alluded TO BY Judfe
Stuart was merely an Informal one.
Dr. Shine said that no sutopey had been made.
.Judge stuart asked Coroner Flynn whether DR..
Merrill had been arrested by his order when the
Coroner said no, but that he vas In the habit Of
leaving
BLANK WARRANTS FOR DR. SHINE
TO hlI up and use at his discretion,
Dr. John A. Robinson, Of fs4 Grand street testi.
Bed that he had teen called In consultation by DIR
Merrill In the case OF Line han, who was suffering
from pain In the bowels and liver. The patient ad-
given with calomel. with warm water Injections and
lamentations A dose Of castor oil had also been
administered, with one or two drops OF eroton OF.
Witness oonsidered II case Of bilious eoHc. Afler
that he had given certificate OF death from acute
leritonitt the result OF perforston and exhaustion
When @ked why he gave such certificate, Dr,
Merrill said that DR.. Shine had talked him into Il
with Others
DR.. shine (excitedly(-l wish TO say that never
the case.
The being declared at an end BY the Coroner.
Tie jury returned the following verdict:
1h death resulted from acute porttonit the result
OF obstruction OF the bowels
Coroner Flynn announced that Dr. MorrlI WA
acquitted and discharged.
Judge Stuart remarked that the turn OF bis client
bad come, and he would make DR.. Shine sweet fpr
hts outrage II is updsrstood that suit for false
Imprisonment and defamation Of character Ia to be
Instituted axninst Or. bhine BY Dr. Merrih.