The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-03
COURT or GENERAL SESSIONS.

Opening OF the September Term-Em-
panclling the Grand Jury Two
"Bowcry Boys'' Sent to the State Prison
for q Bold Robbery.
Before Judge Bedford.
The September Term Of this court opened yester-
day. His Honor City Judge Bedford will preside
during the fore part OF the term, and his Honor
Recorder Hackett the latter part OF the month.
There was a 1ull attendance OF Grand Jurors, so
shat there was no delay In empanelling the Grand
Jury. Mr.. Charles II. Contot selected to act as
foreman, and after the jurors were sworn they
discharged till this (Tuesday) morning, when the
City Judge Will deliver his charge.
Assistant District Attorney stewart appeared
by jury, he arranged for the trial Of number of
cases placed upon the calendar.
The only Indictment which the jury was called
up0n 10 consider was one against James Sullivan
and Edward S. Mathews, charging them with steal
ing silver watch rom Israel Kotzberg on the 9Th
OF July. The complainant, who spoke broken
English stated that on the afternoon in question,
between two and three O'Clock, he was passing
through the Bowery on mis- way to see his brother.
1n-laW in Chatham street, when the prisoners
seized him by the arms and held him for i've
minutes. while another man took silver watch,
which was attached toa chain, out Of his pocket
and ran away. lie hallooed Police and one OF
the prisoners said to the other, "kill him - he
they ran away, but the policeman succeeded in
catching them.
Mr.. Price, who appeared for the prisoners, cross
that number OF people were passing through
the Bowery at the time, some. of whom joined
IN the chase after the thieves and screamed for the
police. He was asked II there were not a crowd
around man who was selling soap; but he en-
phaticaily said there was not, and said that
although but year in this city he never went
where people got cheated. When examined
Through tile interpreter, the complainant said
when he sworc that the prisoners held MIN in broad
daylight In the Bowery for I'VE minutes, lie only
guessed at the time.
onlcer Edward Miller testified that the complain.
ant and other citizens were chasing Sullivan and
Mathews, and he ran after them three or four
blocks and finally caught them I'm liquor store:
KotZberg idenuned them as the young men who
held him While he was being robbed OF his watch !;
Mathews WAS running when he was followed and
did not appear TO be lame.
This was the case for the people. Sullivan was not
placed rYon the stand 10 swear IN his own behalf
but Mathews ilmped to the witness box and ex.
hbited an apparently innamed leg to the jury.
HIS story was that two weeks before he was ar
rested he came from Boston,, and that on the day
in question man was selling compound SOAP
eighty or ninety people standing AROUND o among
parently bidding for the soap. Mathews stood on
The sidewalk, and III few minutes the complain
mt said, "My watch Is gone" lie made great
noise and crowd gathered around him. He said
TO Mathews, "You have got my watch" and com
mence1 70 call for the police. A couple OF young
man and you had better go away" SO he
GJathewsl walked around the corner aud the
policeman came up and arrested him.. lie said that
ne 'lau lad ley, ana II would not have done for
him to run. Before Mr.. Stewart had finished cross.
examining him. however, he admitted that he
Officer Miller was recalled, aud rcasserted that
Mathews was not lame, did not limp, and that he
This closed the evidence, and, after brief sum.
ming up speeches and clear charge by the Judge
thc Jury rendered verdict OF guilty without lcav-
ing their seats.
Judge Bedford, in passing sentence, said AS
soon as you were brought 10 the Station house the
sergeant knew you. know all about you. YOU
10 wih thieves. This was reckless robbery,