The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-06
caJnr OF GENERAL SESSIONS.


Temporary Discharge Of tho Grand jury
Suggestive Remarks by Judge Bedford In
Reference 10 the Nathan Trasedy-The
Grand Inquest TO Hold Themselves in
Readiness to Aid the Authorities.
Before Cunning s. Bedford Jr. City Judge.
The Grand Jury came into court at noon yester-
day and announced through the foreman that they
had disposed OF all the complaints placed before
them, whereupon City Judge Bedford rose. ana,
amid profound silence, addressed them as iol'
lows
Mr.. FOREMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF TIE GRAND
JURY learn this moment thai you have competed
your labors for term. Permit me, In all snceri,y
In behalf OF the law-abding citizens OF TINS city 10
in which You have fulfilled your dutes Dut also
for the sound discretion which has guided your ac-
tiOn-promptly dscharglng when there was not SUI
1cient evidence 70 warrant finding an Indictment.
and as promptly indlcting when there was sunclent
G asys jury ars their ney are
discharged by the Court. To-day deem IL
my du 70 make an exe S n 70 ss
the object OF which Is to lay the iron hand OF the
law upon the neck OF the murderer OF u respected
and honored CITIZEN Happily Tor the ends OF JUS.
tice satisfied that Superintendent Jourdan and
the District Attorney and his assistants are doing
throw light upon this as yet, shrouded mystery. As
have reason TO have great hopes that the guilty
it prudent and not TO discharge you gentlemen,
but to ask you to hold yourselves in readiness so as
u
from this Court Tor your attendance.
The Foreman said--The Grand Jury fully concur
In the views expressed by your Honor and they
win be very happy to be present on the call OF the
Court at any moment.
The Grand Jury passed upon hundred cases,
and they were materially aided In the discharge OF
their duties by Assistant District Attorney Blunt,
WHO prepared the cases and drew the indictments.
DIABOLiCAL ATTEMPT OF A HUSBAND TO MURDER
HIS wlFE-HE CUTS HER THROAT FROM EAR TO
EAR-PROMPT CONVICTION OF THE PRISONER
JUDGE BEDFORD SENDS HIM TO THE STATE PRISON
The most aggravated felonous assault and battery
ever brought before this court was tried Yesterday
by Assistant District Attorney Tweed, which re-
suited the prompt conviction or the prisoner.
John Dugan was arraigned at the bar, charged with
appeared 10 be an inonensve and amiable looking
woman. She was the principal witness for the
people, and Testified thai she was married TO MN IN
this country In April. few days ore this occur
renee she was engaged at the st. Cloud Hotel and ON
the afternoon Of the 18th OF June, while returning from
the house where she formerly lived. and, passing
through Thlrly-hrd street, between the Eighth and
Ninth avenues the prisoner came up and asked her
for some money to go home. The vile replied that
she would give him some as soon as she could open
the box which sue was carrying. He then took hold
OF her by the hair OF the head and cut her across tho
throat, infict,ng a number OF severe wounds the
scars OF which we're inspected by me jury. he ran
at her twice and drew the razor over her throat In
answer TO questions put by Mr.. McCelland Mrs.
Dugan said she never had any trouble with her
his relatives to be affected IN their minds.
officer Suite said that Information came TO the sta
u
der his wife IN Thirty-third street. lie went there
and found John Dugan In the street with two stones
in his hand, one OF which he threw at man who
trying to arrest him, and the other he threw at
him. His hands and coat We're all bloody. The
woman was afterwards brought to the station house.
She was faint and weak, so much to be insens-
bio ana unable to speak. The prisoner was stub
born, and the same day his throat was cut, the
mark OF winch was visible. The officer stated he
did NOT see the prisoner cut his throat but that he
was taken to The hospital on Blackwei's Island,
where be was kept few days.
al ulLe niSGn nj haun a
Offlcer state what he heard the authorities Of the
hospital say In respect to the prisoners mental
dtiOn. Although not strictly legal his Honor per-
United tie officer make the statement. warden
in tie hospital told the officer that Dugan trying
to act as If he were Insane, but he did not believe he
was.
His Honor facetlously asked the counsel II he
wanted that In evidence, which query caused sup
pressed laughter In the court room.
John Dugan was placed upon The stand and said
he might have his wife's throat but he could
lell he did not remember anything about cit.
The wife was recalled by the Judge, and, In answer
TO q question: said that her husband never acted
like an insane person before this occurrence. He
asked FOR money many times and she always gave IL
The Jury rendered q verdict of assault, with intent
| to xiii, without leaving their seats.
Judge Bedford, in passing sentence. sad:-
| John Dugan had your wiie died, you would have
gHestionably have followed; so that YOU would have
| expiated that crime upon the scanold. For had
OF %"ae Yo Your Me Ssr tesy
ing, turned round and begged Inc for Gods
sake, IN case you were sS CONVICTED to put
her life In case you should not be imprisoned For
her sake, and for the protection OF society generally,
and as an example 10 all other desperadoes shall
send you TO the State Prison for the term Of ten
years.
ALLEGED ROBBERY.
Patrick Kearney who was charged by Emma
Dryer with rODpng her OF watch on the 18Th of
July at drinking saloon In Oak street, acquitted.
Mr. Howe, who defended him, called number OF
respectable gentlemen 10 prove kearney's good
character and It was also shown that the statement
OF the complainant was unreliable.
= James Conway, Michael Ward, John Kelly and
John German tboysA were tried upon charge OF
| grand larceny In stealing clothing from the
| house Of Natnaniei gilbert No. 2l7 East Eleventh
street, on the 18th OF july The evidence was in.
sunlcient to sustain the charge, and the jury rem
John Burke was charged with stealing q horse
| and wagon belonging to Myers Samuel, on July 2S,
discharged. AS the testimony against Burke was vey
slight, on motion Of the prosecuting officer he was
Frederick segner was tried upon a charge of felo
NOUS assault perpetrated upon Frank Segncr, his
stepfather. who, It was shown, used offensive IAN
guage and attempted to strike him with bench.
| whereupon the prisoner seized knife ami stabbed
| the complainant In the back The jury rendered IA
verdict of not guilty.
| Assistant District Attorney Tweed addressed the
Court and said It afforded HIM great plea
ar STATE the 'Aa pnrct tse aac
was unusually heavy every case had been
disposed OF. lie expressed his thanks to the jury
| for the fidelity ana sound discretion they had eAer
| cised In the consideration OF tho cases.
Judge Bedford responed by saying thai with that
duty to discharge the Jury from luther attendance
| His Honor directed the court to be adjourned TIL
Monday, the 10Th inst, SO as to enable him to co
| they be required to Investigate into the Nathan
| murder.
IMPORTANT POST OFFICE STATEMENT.