The New York herald., 1871-03-09
COURT Of GENERAL SESSIONS.
Before Cunning s. Bedford, CITY Judge.

Before Cunning s. Bedford, City Judge.
A BAKER IN A HOT PLAcE-HE IS ATTACKED By
FOUR MEN AND KILLS ONE WITH A BAYoNET-
PROMPT ACQUITTAL BY THE JURY.
The only case Of general public interest disposed
OF yesterday In the Court OF General sessions before
Judge Bedford, was charge Of homicide preferred
against Adam Langfried. who stabbed James FIngle.
ton with bayonet the 1st Of last August innict.
ing wound which resulted IN his death fifteen min
utes after 1t was inflicted.
MIR. Fellows conducted the case for the people and
the accused was represented by Mr.. william F.
Howe The first witness for the prosecution was
Patrick Reilly. who said that he and the deceased
were bakers; that on the morning OF the 1st OF
August between twelve and one O'Clock they,
in company with his brother, Michael Reilly,
and Thomas Sands, were returning from spending
the evening at trends house IN avenue b; that
when they were passing the bakery OF Langrled they
smelled fresh bread and his brother said, 'Can not
you bakers meaning the witness and the deceasedl
go down and get o LOAF OF bread;' the witness aud
Fingleton went down to the bakehouse and asked
Lanxfred for loaf, which he refused give; they
returned to the sidewalk. and, after converse
tion, entered the bakehouse the second time; the
deceased went over TO the box and in the act OF
Taxing one 0l a sae oaves s when 'ne defendant ran
q piece OF wood used in the manufacture OF bread,
the blow having been Intended for Finglet0n light
enSued, and when Langfried went Tor the musket
Reilly up stairs followed by the deceased, who.
when he reached the sidewalk, pointed his finger
down to the defendant and said "I'll Kill you;' as
soon as he said that Langried plunged the bayonet
into his heart Flngieton lived about fifteen minutes
Cross examlned-Iam am baker, but had Deen out of
never on the Island; knew OF the deceased Delng
arrested lor nighway robbery; we mad been drink
were the only men who went into the bakehouse; l
did not beat the defendant with stick.
Thomas Sands, VINO was in company with the
Relllys and the deceased that night, said while he
was waiting on the sidewalk he saw Fingleton and
Reilly running up out OF the bakery, followed by
Langfried, with gun and bayOnet, but did not see
him stab the deceased.
testified that he was awakened by q great noise;
got out OF bed, looked out Of the window, aud saw
| man spring on Langfrled and knock HIM down, out
| did not see The deceased stabbed.
James McCabe was also aroused by the noise and
saw three men run out OF the bakery, one OF whom
said. "Langfried, Will shoot you;' with that the
| defendant came out with gun and musket and
| stuck one OF the men with bayonet
come out .of the bakehouse enraged and heard one
OF them threaten to kill the accused, VINO then made
wards saw the deceased dying on the Sidewalk rom
the effects Of wound IN the left breast.
Oncer Bssett, who arrested Langfried, said that
he saw the deceased fifteen minutes after the occur
| renee lying in hallway q few doors from the
bakery but did not see him die; he knew the de-
iendans 70 De quiet orderly and highly respecta-
oncer Kelly was Joined by other oficers after the
| stabblng and testified that Reilly said he would
| make charge against Langfrieu for assauting him
and staDblng another friend; LanGfred then said ne
bakehouse with his comrades and for taking bread;
Langfried acknowledged that he had stabbed the
man, tnat ne was sorry, but that ne was cOmpeleo
to do II In sefdefence This officer also gave the
accused an excellent character for quleness and re-
| spectabilhy.
Oncer Kcllaghan testified tnat he arrested the de-
| ceased for highway robbery and knew hlm TO be q
| violent man.
| Mr. Howe made few eloquent remarks in open
Ing the case, In the course OF which he alluded 10 an
editorial that appeared In the HERALD at the time OF
| the occurrence, In which the writer In commenting
upon Langfrieds defence OF his person from the
wantOn assault OF the hghwayman, expressed re-
| gret that he had not killed the other ruiilans.
aS "
/ ceeded to tell how these men entered his place at
midnight in No. 446 Second avenue while ne and MS
two workmen were making bread The -FOUR men
| took up pieces OF wood and struck him. and Reilly
held him by the body. lie hallooed .Watcn y ana
they tore hts pantaloOns, Alter reaching the slde
| walk he say them returning to the basement, ana
when he saw OF them IN the act OF putting ms
hand In the side pocket and hearing him say, "Ill
| shoot you " he stabbed him.
Peter Riches, the workman OF the accused, cor
| rODOrated his statement.
Mr.. howe said he had thirty witnesses TO prove
the excellent character OF his cient but Judge Bed
| ford intimated that 1t was not necessary.
After few words from Mr.. Fellows Judge Bedford