The New York herald., 1870-02-22
JACK REYNOLDS LAST DITCH.

hVOu anu EXCItoO lTlul Sc0ne-
Testimony for the Prosecu.
tion Closed-Insanity the
Only Defence.
'Jack" Reynolds, alias Breen, was yesterday
placed on trial in the Court OF Oyer and Termner
for the murder;of william Townsend on the 29tn OF
January last. Judge lngraham presided. The cir
cumsances OF the crime alleged yet fresh In the
public mind, though, owing to the long list Of deeds
already on the criminal calendar, It would not be
surprising II the remembrance OF the one at issue
were dimmed and confused. The strange yet sig
nifcant expression which fell from the prisoners
lips Immediately after his arrest-'Hanging for muir
der ID played out In New York'-has greatly excited
the public interest and curiosity. Indeed, consider
able Importance has been attached to the re-
mark, and for that reason, perhaps, as much
a. any other, the trial has been anx-
iously looked forward to- The court room
was yesterday morning crowded to the doors,
ana az the prisoner, Reynolds made his appearance
the greatest excitement prevailed. The motley
gathering that accompanied the unfortunate man
from the T0mbs followed him with hound.like per.
sistency, hooting 1t him as he went along. Long
before his arrival, however, not q seat in the
court was left unoccupled. The most deter
mined efforts on the part Of the officials
were almost powerless to stem the cur
rent and when the prisoner, nandcuned and
surrounded Dy prison authorities, TOOK his seat
beside the counsel assigned an overwhelming rush
was made to the ratings to crafty the curiosity OF
those who glared upon him. The seats behlnd were
heard TO creak considerably, and SO great was the
desire to gam admittance that fhe hinges Of the
entrance door were almost carried away. Subdued
cries or discontinue were heard throughout the
room, when at length the presiding Judge directed
that the door should be closed, as the room
tanned probably one-third more than 1t ever did
since It's construction. constant muttcring was
kept up behind, caused by the inconvenient POSI-
tions upon which many Of the spectators were
per cned.
The prisoner preserved the same unconscious,
careless, vacant and seemingly idiotc look that
characterized his appearance when last in court.
lie was shabbily attred, and had quite neglected
aspect. Shortly before eleven O'Clock District At.
torncy Garvin announced his readiness to proceed
with the trial. Mr. William +. Howe assigned by
the Court, appeared on behalf Of the prisoner.
Judge lngranam directed the jury to be called.
The Clerk then proceeded to call the roll. Fully
two hours were occupied in obtaining jurors there
being thirty or forty challenges ON the part OF the
prisoner. At length the following gentlemen were
sworn In, viz.:-GeOrge A. Terry (fOremanL A. q.
arck MosI h. d
l. Aldrldge, A. W. Comm, g. W. Lowery and Charles
Jones'
O'Clock the court proceeded with
THE TRIAL.
District Attorney Garvin opened the case on the
part OF the prosecution. He said the prisoner was
charged with the highest crime known to the law,
and the examination OF the case the part OF the
jury would involve not only their feelings. patience,
Judgment ana best consideration, but II would in
volve the interests for time and eternity OF the
individual now on trial. The crime with which the
prisoner was charged was committed under circum-
stances OF great atrOcy, 30 much SO that the whole
public mind was not only amazed but astOunded at
pcrD0sr8te0.
The community had been from day to day from
month to month astonsled by the character OF the
crimes not only IN TINS metropolis but In the neigh
boring ciues. Crime was spreading over the cOun-
try man hardly walked upon the streets or
approached his farm In the country when he was
Baulted with personal violence whether III the form OF
murder or Tor objects OF plunder. He now asked the
loved best well for the interest OF the citizens
TO give COURAGEOUS verdict In this case, and let the
nected with the CRIME OF murder IN the city Of
New York can be punished by jury. In this case
dered his house the Goth or January last;
that the poor miserable prisoner came into his room
na s anG an s snaar Sen aa
away; have not room enough for my own family;n
ana has q gons 1as the
which he died within the space OF twenty minutes.
II the prosecution could show such state OF facts,
and the jury were satisfied 1t was true, and they
reason to doubt the statements or the wit.
nesses he would ask for verdict Of murder In the
Lydia Townsend, a young and delicate girl, thir.
teen years Old, and daughter OF the deceased
was The first witness examined by the District
Attorney:-I have got one brother, q child;
my other sister ls eleven years old; In the lat
ter par, OF January lived at No 1872 HUDSON street,
my father was tailor, and also kept o grocery store
IN the basement; there were fve steps Leading down
to 1t; remember the 2sth OF January last; on the
were sitting in the basement; the witness
never saw the prisoner before that day;
O'Clock; he entered without rappng; my father
was sitting in the BACK room he went right In and
sat down on chair; ne SAID, 'You know me; am
your brother; want to stay here all nlght;r my
father sald NO. Sir; you are not my brother; won't
you please go outs l have not room enough for
my iamlly;" the prisoner then went out into the
store and sat down; my father said, 1T IS OF no use
you must 20 out" az the same nme laying his hand
dragged my father out the steps.
BY the Conrt-Was u light or dark at this time?
W1tness-lt was dark.
Examination resumeu-The store was lIghted
Harriet was present when this occurred; tnen
went out ana when returned my father was dead
came In from the steps aud sat down on the bench
IN the store he was stabbed in the et breast; the
some men Game to take the man away from my
father, and when my father came IN went up stairs;
i saw the prisoner afterwards at the Police Court;
the prisoner Identifying hin) is the man; left my
father sitting on the bench and when returned he
was dea1.
NAMED with my father the steps; that was litter
he stabbed him, and continued to hold him; some
men then came and took HIM away.
Harriet Townsend, eeven years old, was next ex-
amined--My fatners name was William Townsend;
on the G9tn OF January remember the prisoner
coming into our house in Hudson street; MY father
asked him What he wanted; the prisoner said he
wanted to stay all night; my iather said he had not
room enough for his own family, ana asked him ir
he would not please 60 Out the prisoner then went
out and sat on the milk can in the front roon my
father told him 1t was no TO stay, whereup0n the
prisoner got hold OF him, dragged him to the steps
aud stabbed him; man strove to get the knife
out OF the prisoners hand, ana took him
away; my father then came, sat down on the bench
and afterwards went into the room and told me TO
BRING my mother; when IreIurned my father was
dead; saw where my father was wounded IN the
breast; he was also cut across the wrist.
Cross-examned-l saw the prisoner stab my
father; after he stabbed my father the prisoner re-
tanned hold OF the knife; several persons tried to get
the knife from him, but he would not let them; ne