The New York herald., 1871-03-22
THE SCHMIDT MURDER.

Close of Coroner Schirmer's InycssiGafiOr-
Verdict A2ninst tho Fugitive Murderer Tho
Prisoners Held ms AccessOries- Gathering Of
Nineteenth Ward Rou2hs.
Coroner Schirmer's investigation yesterday morn
ing into the circumstances attending the murder Of
Israel Schmidt, who was deliberately shot through
the head OH Sunday afternoon the 5th inst, at the
saloon s45 First avenue. by pistol in the hands OF
Thomas Whelan, a well-known offender, brought to
the City Hall precious gang OF Nineteenth ward
roughs who filed the court room nearly to suffoca-
tion. Almost to man they were friends of the pri.
soners, and exhibited the greatest
INTEREST IN THE PROCEEDINGS
After the evidence OF Captain Gunner and olfcer
Hamilton, of the Nineteenth precinct, had been
taken two of the defendants were sworn ana ex-
amined but their testimony was in such direct con-
tradiction OF the statements previously made to
Captain Gunner, in presence of officer Hamilton,
that the jury placed little II any evidence upon it.
Below Will be found q report OF the reliance ad.
duced ana the verdict Of the jury.
THE EVIDENCE.
John Gunner, captain OF the Ninetcenth precinct
deposed that at about six O'Clock on sunday even.
ing, the 5th INST. he heard that there had been
disturbance in First avenue and went there with
several officers, and found that Israel Schmidt had
been shot through the head: found no one who
knew the parties, but several said they could
identity them; Murray was the first one
arrested, and the others were taken the
next morning; they all confessed to being or the
party present when schmidt was Killed; Mahen,
Martel Farley and McCarty said they saw the shoot
ing, aud Murray said he saw the shooting by Wne-
Ian, and Murray further said McCariy did the
staobIng, and told him so in presence OF officer
Hamilton.
JOHN HAMILTON, AN OFFICER
of the Nineteenth precinct, deposed that he heard
the prisoner tldurray) tell captain Gunner That Mc.
Carly did the stabping.
AT this stage OF The proceedings the counsel for
the prisoners made q motion that one OF the de-
iendants be examined and permitted to give his
version OF the affair, TO which Coroner Schirmer
assented. John Maher was accordingly called to
the stand, and gave MS evidence He swore that on
and went with them TO several lager beer sat5oaS,
and Was eventually Joined by the other priStyners
wentinto Scnmldts place ana
DRINKS WERE CALLED FOR;
he took cigar, and when near the dc or heard a
shot fired and saw Whelan run out Of tb, door with
pistol 10 his hand; then lett the pls ce and went
home; all the party were under t0'e influence OF
liquor.
At the request OF Mr.. KNITTING Edward Parley
another OF the defendants, was examined. ON ,6e
afternoon OF the bth instant he was invited by
Whelan anu TWO OF inc other Defendants to 60 and
take drink with thems and afterwards they
went into Scuni9t pace he toook nothing, but
wa, W ou, ,s,n h Upon which he heard the re-.
ade ~ tsspr ssc,n y, Ill the party rushed out and
a,,or po % nW 10 In his possession; do not re-
neuiOeI nv. .eiIng Ca ptan Gunner that whelan done
tne snootiig, ano did not tell him 80.
cnue ,vau cos,nA no further testimony 70 o1er the
,, osiw cred brief charge to tue jury, IN
"pi0n "e wv" tacteri:ed the act OF kuins senm'ht