The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-02-26

by finger and thumb tightly grasping the neck.
But bruises on face. especially tia head. BY any
smocths substance. They could have been made
long, not deeper than scalp Cut on scalp might
have been by iall NrA Murphy was weakly
woman. Do not think Q fall alone would have
produced all these marks. though several falls
might"
On Cross.exsmination-He testified to Muir.
phys good character. He alwsys found him hon.
cradle, Industrious and generous, and never
quarrelsome, and know Of no citizen Of La
Sale who, in my opinion, has been more honor.
able than he has been.
Edward Murphy testified the same az to his
brother, except that he had heard his father
tell his mother to "get out of that" when he saw
her In the yard that evening. And that she
went around the house. When his father had
gone dswn town, Mrs. Murphy requested Ed.
ward to get her some quilts and she would sleep
in the garden, as she dare not 20 in the house
while Stephen was angry with her. That he
and sister tried to fix place for his mother, un.
der bench, in the yard. But fearing she might
be discovered, and it would look too much like
hiding, they changed her to another place. That
by his sisters request he remained up in his
room, at the window, watching for the return of
his father. and when he was coming, he (Edwardl
was to notify his sister, who was in bed in her
room. That he gave her notice on the approach
Of her father; and then got in bed and pretended
to be asleep. Murphy came home; got light
came up stairs; looked into the faces Of the boys,
and then went into their sisters room then i'm.
mediatsly down stairs; soon returned; repeated
the apparent search for something, and thea
went down stairs. Soon after he heard a noise
and his father e1clsiming: "Stand up! And
then sound as ii he was slspping something
This was repeated several times. each time whan
he said, "Stand up" the blows followed. Then
he heard his sister say: "Oh father, don't kill
mar And he replied: "Oh, won't hurt your
ma, 60 to bed"
A half dozen other witnesses then testified to
the appearance of the body, and the character of
the deceased as q tidy, careful woman, as we'll
as the general good reputation of Mr.. Murphy.
Here the prosecutor rested his case.
THE DEFENCE.
In behalf Of the defence the testimony was
mainly to show the excellent reputation of Mr.
Murphy. That he had always been q public
spirited citizen, interested in schools, and ever
ready to contribute his share towards tho com.
mon good.
Nicholas Duncan testifed-That he had been
justice Of the peace twenty-five years, and had
an intimate acquaintance with Stephen Murphy.
He had never been charged with any offence be.
fore him, directly or indirectly, and was peace
able man. On the night of Mrs. Aurphys
death, Mr.. Duncan was there and saw the deceas.
ed, and the prisoner, Mr. Murphy, was kissing
his dead wife's face, and lsmenting her death
with every evidence Of sorrow-of bitter grief.
Mr.. Ready aud Mr.. Borpgasser vouched for
the prisoners most e1celled reputation.
DR., Corcorsn, on o.th, said he had known the
parties several years. Was in bed the night of
the death Of Mrs. Murphy, and at sboat ten
o'clock in the night was awakened by loud rap
ping at his door Went there and found MUIR
ply in much excitement. He said: "Cone quick
hurry doctor-coms to my house, my wife has
one of her sick spells" I said, "Yes. Go, and
l will soon be along" dressed quickly, and on
getting into the street found him waiting for me,
and ne seemed much annoyed at my seeming de.
lay, aud he urged me to "hurry, hurry up" 1
went there and found Mrs. Murphy in the front
room. Examined her heart, wrists aud lungs,
but found no sign of life, and told Murphy.
"Your wife is dead" He exclaimed piteously,
"Oh, no! impossible" And manifested most
sincere grief, crying bitterly and evincing deep
sorrow.
Officer Palmer testified as to Mr. Murphys
good behavior while in Jail.
After the argument of the counsel, I'VE have |
not space now for synopsis of either of the four
addresses to the jury, the Court gave the usual
instructions, defining murder and manslaug liter, |
and the jury retired, and in couple of hours
returned the following
VERDICT.
I'VE, the jury, find Stephen Murphy guilty of
the crime of granddaughter, in the killing Of Mar.
garet Murphy, Aug. 25th, last, and fix the penal. !
ty thereof, seven years in the penitentiary.'
During the trial, Murphy seemed much excl.
ted, and frequently shed tears, especially when
Witnesses spoke kindly OF him or of any of his |
family.