The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-13
OFFICIAL CORRUPTION.

Trial OF q yVestchester County Justice on
Charge OF extraordinarily I'm OBJ
tanning Vftncssos-Hovv tho Alleged
Crime was OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF n
Tonabs Lawyer-TaH Swearing ALI
4 Around-The Jury Not Agreed Upon q
Verdict at Late Hour.
Since the notorious Buckhout trials no case has
occasioned such intense interest throughout West
chester county as that Of Henry A. Fulen, Justice
81 lG4 p-ace, who was yesterday tried in the
. Court 81 Over and Tcrminer at White Plains on an
udlctmen. Or alleged bribery and corruption in
. lilce Iac curt room was crowded at an early
haur 81 Larong OF anxious spectators, nearly all
or wro1 eagerly retained their seats dur
/ ing one entire day, Notwithstanding the
fierce heat which made the atrnos-
: phere decidedly uncomfortable. Much difficulty
: had been experienced by the prosecuting
attorney In securing the attendance OF two Of the
principal witnesses for the people and alleged
consprators In the act Of official corruption, JUS
tice william +. Brown, OF Morrisania, and Abe H.
Humme of New York, and only brought them to
the witness stand by causing bench warrant to be
issued for the former and an attachment
served on the latter to insure his attendance at
Court. The accused was defended by Messrs.
Chauncey ShafIer, Francis Larkin and Odlc Close,
while District Attorney Briggs conducted the prose-
cution.
The first witness called for the people was Abe
III.
lie received fee OF 500, three-fonrths or which
he gave to Justice Brown, IN DelmOnicos on Wash
ington's birthday, with the understanding that
was be used in trying to effect the release OF the
prisoners then held at the Town Hall at MOrrsana
on charge OF attempted burglary. On .cross-cx-
animation Mr.. Hummel would not swear that Jus.
ticc Fuller knew that the money was handed over
to Brown by him.
William r. Brown, Justice OF the Peace in Nor
rsana, testified that he had known the accused in
tImatcly for some years; that by n preconcerted|
arrangement Fullen and himself met Hummel at
fiocf
MEL as previously agreed upon, handed him $500,
which he quietly transferred to Justice Fuen, with
distinct understanding that Fullen should release
the two prisoners already alluded TO.
Mrs. Leonard, wife OF one OF the prisoners, testi-
fed TO having met Justice Fuen In the lookup at
i the Town Hall, and offered him diamond ring if
he would discharge her husband; that having taken
the ring and looked at Ii, Fullen returned the
trnket 10 her; that she subsequently agreed TO give
$500 TO IIummel in order to effect the release ofthe
prisoner; she also went with Hummel to Del
monicos on the day that the money was paid tOl
to Fullen.
Having been placed on the witness stand the ac-
cused positively denied any knowledge Of an agree
ment to receive money or other property in con-
sideration OF his discharging the prisoners and
swore that lie had never received solitary cent
! from Brown for the purpose indicated at that or
any other time.
The defence then called number Of witnesses
whom were individuals OF no character or credit
able standing in the community. One OF them, al
justice OF the peace, named Haupiman who has
been known to persistcntly denounce Fuen as one
OF the worst and most unprinciped Of men, aston.
shed many present by testifyng that Fullen's gen.
era character was good.
In his address to the Jury Chauncey Shaffer made
powerful appeal in behalf OF his Client and was
followed by District Attorney Briggs in an eloquent
and vigorous summing up OF the testimony. JUS
tice Barnard then delivered lucid charge, after
which the jury retired and in about two hours re-
turned into Court, stating through their foreman,
that they unable to agree Alter some further
instructions from the Court the jury again went
out, but with little hope oil unanimity UP to late
hour last night.