The New York herald., 1871-07-10
THE GILLlS-GGEG0RY CASE.
Close OF TIE Trial-The Jury Stand Ten for Con-
viction and Two for Acquittal-The Prisoner
Remanded and Held for New Trial at
the August Term-The Court House
Crowded and Great Excitement.
BRIDGEPORT. July 8. 1871.

BRIDGEPORT. July 8. 1871.
This case has excited great interest from the first,
being an aggravated one, and has occupied the time
of the Court since Wednesday last. closing yester-
day afternoon, with the jury standing ten for con-
victon and two Tor acquittal. detailed account
of the murder, which took place on sunday morn-
ing, June 5, just five weeks ago to-day, was given
In the HERALD, and Il brief resume Of the circum.
stances may be interesting at this time. Peter S.
Gis, Charles Gregory and James Stapleton. all hard
drinkers, and more or less under the influence OF
lauor were playing bun at the saloon OF the latter
Oh the Sunday morning referred to. Gillis and
Gregory were fellow worknen In neighboring
tannery and an Old grudge existed between them.
Excited by rum, only 4 small matter was required
to bring them to conflict. By singular fatality
they seemed to seize tho first opportunity TO get
into fight. During the progress Of the game u
dispute arose IN regard to
THE MATTER or FIVE CENTS.
both claiming II. Loud words ensued, and fearing
the police might be attracted by the sounds, Staple
ton Jumped up from the table, seized ellis, who
was about to attack Gregory, and held him fast.
While thus holding him Gregory threw stove I'D
or some other sharp-edged substance and
struck Gilhs. inficting a severe wound on
the head. In forcing Gillls out OF the door
general squabble ensued. during which
Gregory was stabbed IN the abdomen and
died q few minutes after. Gls was at
once arrested, locked up, and the Grand Jurors n
ves'iga,ion resulted in finding bill Of murder in
the first degree under whlcnthe trial has oeen pros
ecuted. The trial throughout has been thorough
and impartial. counsel on both SIDES having been
allowed the full est latitude. The arguments IN the
case concluded at twenty i've minutes past twelve
JUDGE agANGEB's CHARGE
was given as folows:--
n M he bars ind for
degree The indictment is for the Killing OF Charles Gregory
the saloon OF james /, the duly jury to
give the case bs careful aud attention & which s
shall convicted Of murder in the st degree withou, the
OF ihe statute is that tue produce tho
vcon in yonr minds as won the evidence OF two
guilty of murder In The FRS, degree The law says that hon
sny pfeR%ed,a.ei pr Rd Hns Constitute. @air ia the @
se and al Others % n The ss1oDa dessse yS% are Isss Is %
the second degree II rot IN .n. seconi ~ ~ 1en' man,
conviction the degree. That is for you
10 determine rhe duty me our, - as 70 1ns nv %
jury. .,,.,,,,,o, ,,., soc....i
his death stated IN the Indictment and so that
the psoner gave the fatal blow w"y ana %ac9n & s,.
has evidence tnntamount TO the TESTIMONY of two od WI.
denies stapeon the principal wuess for the state and
!he STATE claims that h. testimony ,Snsi.ny coroSo. DO
prisoner himself to be ,snamoun, 70 the EVIDENCE Of
!radcons in s.Ape,ons e.,imony inya,da,e H. That
for the jury To determine The present law makes the nc
suaed q competent witness. His testimony must be
sidered by you the same as with bis
position and surroundings You have doubt OF his
give the prisoner the bepent oil that doubt To
convict IN the second degree does not require the same
amount Of in @ s t. s one Nne,: ness, can ss
sdered In finding your verdict
After q very careful review Of all the testimony
he gave the to the jury at nf'cen minutes past
three. They came IN and said they could not agree
as To a verdict. They we're sent out by the Judge,
and at haf-past four again returned, standing ten
tor mansauglter and two for acqulttal. The Jury
we're al once discharged Giliis was remanded 10
prison. and will be neld FOR new trial at the August
Term OF the court about three weeks hence IN this
city.
the evidence OF stapeton's completely Is SO
strong tnat he Will be arrested bench warrant,
and held Tor trial with tis as accessory.
Disappointment Is manifested IN ;he verdict, and
~ u the suDjec, Of much comment throughout the
city