The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-24
TIE NEWBURG MURDER TRIALS.
Trial Of the Negro John Boyd-verdict Of Man
slaughter in the Fourth Dsgrse-Six Months
Imprisonment for Killing an Irishman-
The Case Of 3uffum-3trange Scenes
IN Court-5psech by the Murderer
Ee is Sentenced to thu State
Prison for Life.
NEwBURG, May 90, 1871.


The trial OF John Boyd on the Indictment for the
murder Of Peter McGowan, was resumed this
morning. The testimony was closed win the exam
nation OF q single witness on the part or the de-
fence.
william ii. Lyon swOrn-I was at Turner's at the
time of the occurrence; / knew Boyd but not
McGOwan when the ARRAY commenced stood ut
the lunch counter taking my supper; heard
noise and turnen around and one of the parties
at the pantry; l could not distinguish whom;
the next i heard was running, and l saw
two men going towards the kitchen; I heard
three reports or pistol after the men
got into the kitchen l went towards the
kitchen but could not get In; the door held by
Augustus Prime; I went around into the dining
room and saw Cable holding Boyd; there were eight
trying to get into the kitchen; noriccd that
Boyd's che * was swollen and his upper lip badly
cut; he was very much excited, and they could not
hold him very wen; he acted very much like
crazy mar-rushed around. tr0thins ut the mouth;
he attempted to jump through narrow passage
but was caught by Cable and pulled back; the blood
was dripping all over him; after they opened the
door he wanted to go out and fight crowd OF
foreigners there who wanted 10 lynch him; he had
no pistol at that time; these parties that he wanted
10 fight were trackmen on the Erie Road.
Crossexannation-This opening was from the
dining hall into the kitchens he wanted to get back
into the hilcnell
Redirect examination- knew prisoner before
TIC occurrence; he was quiet peaceaolc man.
Inc testimony was then summca up on the part OF
the prisoner by General Niyen, ana on the part OF
the prosecution by the District Attorney y. w. Full
lerton during the delivery Of tho speeches. OF
counsel the prisoner was deeply affected. Ills heal
eyes to look upon the scene. lie is quite youthful
looking negro, slim OF figure. under the average
Stature with bright Intelligent expression ,rs OF
years. ana he Is unmarried. Ills relatives all
reside IN North Carolina, and none Of them
were present at the trials, nor have any Of tie m
visited him since his imprisonment. Az the county
jail In Goshen where for nearly ten months past he
has been confined, his conduct has been exemplary.
The usual charge was delivered ny Judge Barnard
The jury, after beng out Two hours and twenty-five
Rsrc e c0r SSh GH Sg Eva
was sentenced TO Imprisonment for SIX months III
the county JAM The announcement OF the sentence
was received with applause by the large cUncOurse
OF citizens the court room. His sentence being
declared, the prisoners ,usHv cuunclance llgntcu
W WAN Joy, aiu .'ie uJection Wnio ila'i peen ul
instant.
The case OF Robert BufTum indicted for the mur-
der OF John l.. Seayerns, was then Called. and the
prisoner was brought INTO The court room looking
pale, haGgard emac,ated and with the glare OF his
Eomiclaal mania sill noticeable In his gaze. Boyd
still occupied his char near tue par, and the Two
murderers were seated side by side. ljufum's coun-
sci, ]. Hallock DraAe. asked leave to Withdraw the
pea OF not guilty OF murder, as charged IN the In
diciment ana to enter the plea OF guilty OF murder
in the second degree, the Court and counsel having
nged tins, with the consent or the prisoner rs
beng the best disposition TO he made OF the case in
view OF the PRISONERS intermittent mama. The
Court granted the motion, and alter the usual qucs
tons had been Put TO The prisoner by the Clerk,
The Court asked Bufium If he had anything 10 say
why sentence Of imprisonment for life should not I've
passed on HIM. Buiium. IN response addressed tho
Court IN a rambling harangue and claimed that he
was as innocent OF the crime the child unborn;
thar he would not take his liberty II 1t was given
him. lie wished tue Court TO DO as 1t thought best.
After some scnseless bantcring about the plea the
prisoner was sentenced 10 imprisonment for lie in
the sing Sing state Prison.