The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-11
TIE LATEST SHIP TRAGEDY.
The Alleged Murder on the High seas-The Ac-
cused Discharged

YESTERDAY OOm missioner Shields held an examin-
alton into the case OF Charles E. Haywood who was
charged with having Killed John McGier on board
the American ship Dexter Of Boston, on the 18th Of
Nay while on voyage from Leghorn TO New York.
THE TESTIMONY.
Edward J. McGioin metropolitan police officer,
deposed that he had heard man had been MUIR
dered on board the Dexter he arrested the prisoner
and brought him to the United States Court.
p. Fl. Taylor, master OF the Dexter, testified that
the prisoner killed McGier board OF the Dexter
on the 18th Of May last; the deceased left the wheel
at eight O'Clock In the evening; when saw him
next he was taken back to q room where was ana
saw that he was cut with a knife; the knife
touched the liver; the wound was about three
tourths Of an inch In depth; the defendant always
obeyed orders and SO did the man who was killed.
Observation-Disclosures was powerful man; he
weighed about 200 pounds; he was a solid, well.
built man; did not hear OF any other dispute be-
tween these men At any other time.
Henry d. Perry sworn-I was a seaman on board
the Dexter; Mc0ier complained that he had lest
matches; he accused haywood OF taking them; Hay
wood SAID he did not take them; McGier said ~
know you did, get yourself heeled ana spurred, for
! Will put head on you IN the morning." he told
Haywood to take rest on 1t, for he sure 10 get
~; at eight O'Clock In the evening McGer was re-
tieved al the wheel he asked Haywood AFTER coming
this difficulty; Haywood said, mo. Jack; l am no
dghter;n MGGtsr collared and buitsd Haywood, who
drew big knife and McGier got his HIND cut; he
went out on deck and got an iron Delaying pin; he
lnit Haywood two or three times on the arm with
the pin; did not see Haywood struck on the head
he then struck McGier with the knife ana after
striking him with the knife drew 1t out OF him and
hung It under bunk.
Oss-examined-This first trouble about the
matches was at eight O'Clock in the morning, and
the hight between The men occurred at eight clock
In che evening; the deceased was the strongest man
on board the vessel, from the captain down; the
defendant was good shpmate, quiet, peaceable
man.
Patrick O'Brien sworn-Ee testified as to the
dispute about the mate les the same as the other
men. In the evening the deceased changed his
clothes and put on heavy pair OF boots; lie came
into the fOrecAStle and challenged the defendant
70 come out ON deck and settle the difficulty they
had had In the morning. Witness described the fight
exactly as the other Witnesses Qa, and added that
McGer hit Haywood On the arm With the IRON be-
laying pin: he was making at Haywood second
Lime Win the pin when Haywood struck him with
was small One IL was on the LETT side; the man
DIED IN c0n4equence OF the wound.
Francis LIE Soto, Peruvian, corroboracd the
testimony given above, as also did seth Snow,
another member Of the crew, who added that
McGer hit Haywo with the Delaying pin IN the
lace and closed up his eye; then 1t was that Hay
wood used the Knife, which he used only once;
McGler was then taken aft where he died Ia about
twenty minutes
There was no summing up, either BY the govern
nlent counsel or by counsel for the defence.
The Commissioner There Is no evidence upon.
which can hold The defendant. The testimony
shows that no was provoked 10 this fight by McGier
and that he acted In seif-defence all through the
affair. The defendant is discharged.