The New York herald., 1872-12-10
POISONED TO DEATH.
Trial of DIR. Lucius B. Irish for
the Alleged Murder of Ed
ward o. Anderson.
A REMARKABLE CASE IN BRO oKlYN.
The Jury Empanelled Yesterday Description
Of the PriSOner---SceneS in
the Court Room.

DR.. Lucius D. Irish. the well-known physician
and druggist Of Brooklyn, was placed on Trial in
the Kings county Court Of Oyer and Tcrmincr
yesterday morning on the charge OF having
poisoned to death Assessor Edward o. Anderson,
who died on the 9th OF April last. DR.. Irish was
jointly indicted with Mrs. Sarah Anderson, the
wife Of the deceased, but asked for a separate
trial, and, after numerous postponements, the
case finally came on yesterday. The circum-
stances have heretofore been published in the
HERALD but in addition to the testimony elicited
before the Coroner at the time or the inquest, 1t Is
said that there Ia evidence forthcoming OF start
ling nature compared with which that already re-
ported Is weak.
Dr. Irish was brought into Court by Deputy
Sheriff Miley, of the District Attorneys Office, at
five minutes to ten O'Clock yesterday morning, at
which time the room was densey crowded by peo-
pie OF all classes. The doctor is ine-looking
man. apparently about iorty years OF age, Of stout
build and medium height. He is partially bald, but
the sides and back OF his well-shaped head are
adorned by thick growth Of curly black hair. He
wears mustache and Dundreary whskers, which
he stroked complacenty yesterday while talk
Ing to
THE THRONG OF FRIENDS
who greeted him during the interval previous to
the opening or the proceedings. He was neatly
attired In dark suit OF clothes, and huge emer-
aid sparked In his faultless shirt 'front.' His de-
meanor was that OF gentleman perfectly
| cool and apparently Indifferent to all trans
| pring about him. He bore unlinchingly the
gaze OF the entire court room, and when Joined by
his wife and sster-in-law, conversed very freely
with them. Mrs. Irish is pleasant-looking lady,
nearly the doctors own age. She was faslionably
attired and displayed considerable jewelry. DR..
Perry Irish, the prisoners brcther was also In
attendance
Shortly after ten O'Clock Judge Pratt took his
seat on the bench, and Associate Justices VoOr-
hees and Johnson followed. Considerable time was
consumed in hearing the excuses OF Jurors sum
! Attorney Britton moved for trial. EX-Judge
| Morris responded that he was
! READY FOR THE PRISONER.
He Is assisted In the defence by United States Dis
trict Attorney Tracy, Assistant United States Dis
trict Attorney Catlin and Thomas y, Pearsall
/ At eleven O'Clock Mr.. Gerard M. Stevens COM
menced calling the names OF jurors with the view
OF having jury empanelled The first name
called was Bryant Drew, and Immediately two
| box. This little circumstance
/ CREATED SOME MERRIMENT
for the time, but one OF the gentlemen stated that
his name was Frank, and not Bryant Drew, and
retired in confusion amid the laughter OF the spec.
| the proceedings with interest. The crowd in the
| court room had increased until there was not the
remotest standing room. Even the space about
4 Herman and others took in the whole scene.
At seven minutes past eleven O'Clock the first
i w.
Cumberland street. was secured and sworn in.
During the empanement OF the jury discussion
arose between the counsel as to the right to ques
ton jurors as to whether they would convict on
circumstantia evidence jeremiah Hackett was
called to.the jury box, when
District Attorney Britton asked him:-"Woud
you convict in any case on circumstantial evil
dcncey'
Mr.. Tracy did not like this course, and said that
IL amounted to no more or less than asking the
juror whether
HE WOULD OBSERVE HIS OATH
Both direct evidence ana circumstantial evidence
were legal, but 1t was not the duty oil any juror
to Judge as to the legality or admssibility Of any
learn the jurors Idea as to what circumStantlal
suds Judge Sratt Ss to juror,-po yon entertain now
any opinion in regard to a capital case that wOuld
prevent you from fnding verdict OF guilty if the
evidence satisfied you that the party was guilty2
Juror docking coniused)-l don't know, exactly.
That juror was challenged peremptoriIy by the
prosecution and iurtner discussion thereby cut OIL.
At one O'Clock recess was taken for three quar-
ters OF an hour. ]. N. Nash was secured as the
fourth juror Immediately alter the reassembng OF
the Court. Mr.. Tracy objected to the question
whether he could find verdict on circumstantial
evidence, If he believed the evidence warranted it.
James r. Rowland was then called, examined ac-
cepted, and sworn in as the fifth juror.
The entire day was spent in the
wEARIS0ME BUSINESS
OF empanelling jury, and 1t was few minutes
before five O'Clock when the last man was secured.
The jury is rs follows:-Aivin w. Bell, Herman
yosberg; George Simmons, J. \; Nash, James r..
| Uk,
jamin g. Howard, Jr., William Rafferty,, Albade
Bromley, Joseph Crocker Charles Engclman
Before the Jury separated Judge Pratt said -
| Gentlemen of the jury, desire now to give you a
caution which you must remember, and that is,
when you separate you VIII not discuss this case
with each other or allow it to be discussed in your
presence or allow any person to speak to you in
lation to 1t.
MR. RRrTroNs PRECAUTIONS.
District Attorney Britton-As the Court has in
timated the intention OF permitting the jury to
separate, request It be done, by consent OF the
counsel, which shall be entered upon the minutes
to preserve any legal question that might
arise therefron. Idesire that 1t be entered upon
i the minutes as by consent OF the counsel.
Ex-Judge Morris-Ol course, we have no objec-
/ tion.
District Attorney Britton-l want the record to
show II, that Is all,
Judge Pratt-Jurors not empaneled in this
cause are discharged for the term.
District Attorney BrittOn-There may be other
business at the close OF this trial. They might be
/ discharged until some subsequent day. l have
large number OF witnesses subpunaed in this case
and on that account 1t may be desirable to try
THE OTHER DEPENDANT
(Mrs. Anderson) when these witnesses will also be
used.
Judge Pratt-Has the other defendant been ar.
District Attorney Britton-No, not on this same
indictment; but the other Indictment Is practically
the same as this one.
Judge Pratt-Can counsel give any Information
as to how long this case VIII takcy
Mr. Tracy-If the District Attorney can tell how
long lie Is going TO take, then probably we can say
how long the case will last.
District Attorney Brltton-l cannot say. have
q large number OF witnesses. should think the
case for the people VIII take the greater part OF the
week.
Judge Pratt discharged for the term the Jurors
not empanelled, saying that new panel could be
summoned If necessary.
The Court then adjourned until this morning, at
ten o'clock