The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-26
TIE JERSEY CITY MURDER
Trial Of Dennis McGrotty for the Murder Of
Robert Hartman-An Old Grudge Finally
Settled by the Fist-The Jury 70
be Locked Up Till the Case
is Concluded.

Yesterday forenoon Dennis McGrotty was placed on
trial at the Hudson County Oyer and Terminer Court
III jersey Cty BEFORE Judge Bedle for the murder Of
Robert Hartman In q district of the city known a
Lafayette ON the evening Of the 81 OF May last The
prisoner. who was seated beside his counsel, ia q
man OF stout build. rather tail, with r,g1d
features, wears a uxurant goatee, IL about
thrtyfve years of age, ana was dressed
quite respectfully. He wore very anxious express
sion during the trial, hardly moving except when
he would snift himself on the chair from lassitude
No one except person possessed OF a morbid
Imagination would detect the murderer IN the man's
expression.
Attorney General Gilchrist and District Attorney
Garetson appeared for the State, and Leon Abbettk
william I. HOFFMAN and Dennis II. Sheridan for the
prisoner.
long time was occupied In empaneng Jury!
There were forty eight jurors the panel, aud the
prisoners counsel soon exhausted the twenty per+
emptory challenges allowed by the statute
Mr.. Albeit arose, and in very able arguments
contended that he stu had right 10 chal>
lcnge for principal cause and favor. He
claimed the right to question a juror as
To whether he had formed any opinion as to the
guilt OF the prisoner which would require evidence
TO remove and II such were found TO be the case the
prisoner was clearly entitled to challenge that juror.
csion OF the supreme Court such an opinion In the
mind OF a Juror be grounded ON malice in
order TO disquafy him.
Mr.. Albeit asked that the Court note his excep-
lions his objection was overfuled and the Court
reserved the point.
The following jury was at length empanelled:-s
Morris b. Patterson. foreman; John Litchold, Ma.
than r. Valentine, Samuel Il. Townsend. william A..
jacques, Jacob Van Buren,, Benedict a. Handy, An>
3rha tI (,urrv
Jr., Edward Moore, James Duncan.
The first witness called wa' Benjamin F. Libby,
who deposedi rec0l.ect Tie II t1t o. the "a Of MayS
] was standing in the Darroon OF the Lafayette
House talking TO Robert Hartman phe deceasedt
when Dennis McGrotty Cne prisoner came In; Hart
man said, 'Here, Denny, what have you got against
meS" McGrotty replied, Nothing; what have you
got against meY' Hartman continued. "wen. you
are all the time talking about me ~ to which
McGrotty replied, mo more than you have
been king about me;' Hartman then sait, somel
what exciteiy, 'Wo, let MS come out ana settle It.
door and down the steps, MeGrotty following; 1
heard a scunle when they got to the foot Of the
other; McGrOtty struck out and mt Hart.
man. when the latter fell and raising him
man then laid back ON the ground; when 4
saw hum lying ON the sidewalk; Islepped down and
took hold Of HIM by the hand; he could not speak3
told person TO 40 for the doctor, and Hartman
was laid on table; a man named Thomas J. Sy-
sonerv by tie hand the prisoner struck Hartman
with the right hand the blow was not q very vio-
lent or uncommon one; Hartman rce.ed and fella'
his head striking ON the sidewalk.
Q. Did you ever see those before? "a set Of brass
knuckles was here banded 10 witness.) A. Yes;
saw them on Hartman's left hand, which was laid
across his breast be lay on the table; when the
prisoner and raised Hartman TO place him on z
chair at first, the prisoner stood on HaItmans lett
side In such position thai mis- Jeff hand lay on
| Cross-examined by Mr. Abbott-Cannot state posi-
| lively who struck the nrt blow; Ia conversa ION
with the Pm soner remarked that It sad affair."
call for wafer baihe his head, waich he said
was bleeding; when | saw the prisoner and Hart
, man standing on the sidewalk 1 saw no brass
| knackes on Hartman: never heard any serious dis
pute between the pliso Ter and Hartman; tlere werc
| u few angry words; Hartman said on one occasion,
| denny must so out oi doors"
Thomas j. symons. deposed-0n the night OF
May saw Hartman and Mct;rotty descending the
stairs outside OF Keisers hotel when near the side
| walk McGrotty struck ar Hartman but missed his
aim; Hartman rcsrcated, throwing up his hand;
McGrotty asked Hartman whether he had been talk.
| ing about hin; the latter replied IN the negative,
right arm: he then cinnr to The lamprost and VAS s
| told by McGrotty 10 come on Hartman thereupOn
placed his coat on me post over McGroty's and ada
| by McGrotty his head was thrown violently back
| wards by the Dlo1. and lie fell on The sidewalk;
McGr0tty started for The street, but took him bacl
and SAID he should not go; sent for medical Aid,
| and Hartman was taken INSIDE when some OBJ
served tnat he was dying saw brass knuckles dur
| ing the COroners inquest.
| Cross.eXaminod- PRISONER assisted In carry
|
| hold OF The prisoner with my teeth; worked with
| Hartman aud was aclu anted with him sixteen
mont tbs McGrotiys hean was bleeding that night;
| never sald any Thing against McGroty "particu-
larry" (iieie coun scl endeavored TO elicit what wit
| ness had said against the prisoner but the Court
0verruled the question: Witness swore that he had
| not seen Hartman strike Gt Mctirotty
DR.. keaing was ten exalnined-I saw deceased
| on the sidewalk on the 81 OF Mayj examined him In
the hotel and found his head fractured; saw brass
knuckles on Hartman left hand; did every thing In
my power 10 relieve MIN.
| Cross-eXamned by Mr.. Abbott did not know
| that night wheth's the mans brain sustained any
pressure, and therefore took no means 10 relieve II;
| Dr. Avery said that the mans skull was fractured,
but dld not even then treat the skull for fracture.
! The next witness was George Taylor. who testi.
| Ged:-On the evening OF the homicide heard Hart
man exclaim at the hotel, "If you have anything
against me, Denny take it out here" McGrotty said
Come out o. doors;' they then went out anu made
| use Of language which could not hear; Denny
| struck Hartman, who fell Oh the sidewalk; Denny
said "Give me a fair sight when he went into the
| street, and afterwards exclaimed IL Will now 20
| away bu, Sym0ns would not permit MN.
| The court hercnpon adjourned till this morning.
Directions were given by the Court to the sheriff
10 provide quarters for the jury OF Aliens Hotel and
| they Will not he allowed 10 separate or converse
| with any outsider In reference to the till the
trial II concluded. Three cODstADIes were appointed
| 10 carry Out this order.