The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-06
COURT or GENERAL SESSIONS.

Before Cunning D. Bedford City Judge
Alleged Observation-Disclosures Acauittai of
the Defendant.
The trial of Hugh McGlon, charged with being
instrumental In causing the death of Thomas Bell.
was commenced.
From the testimony OF two witnesses called by
the observation-disclosures GIL and John Fitzgerald
1t would seem that the defendant was an employe
IN Deviin's dstillery ATT Pearl street; that on
DAY motning February ., ne went into the street
with dog Tor the purpose OF lighting with another,
anu when returning 10 The store Bell came up the
street and went into the barroom; McGlon accused
struck Bell with his fist or hand; the deceased iel
ana after ne was down the accused gave
maae use o some '%o one se d
not Kill me' Bell lay the moor two or three hours
ana was quite drunk. John Fitzgerald, who keeps
liquor store at the corner OF Baxter ana Worth
streets, stated that Bell came TO his place Sunday
evening about seven O'CLOCK and was besmeared
with blood: he did not examine him carefully TO
see II there were any wounds upon nm.
Dr. Vandewater testified that Bell was brought
TO the CITY Hall Hospital on the 18th OF February,
suffering from compression Of the BRAIN and he died
upon the same evening; the only wounds oDserv-
aole were Two black eyes.
proven, and by direction OF the Court the jury rem
dered verdict OF not guilty.
The special Sessions Middle.
In the course of the morning Mr.. Howe called His
Honor's attention to the case or James Miskel,
charged with escaping from the Penitentlary, Tor
WHosC uooHaBV HO Hou dppilcu VII sTouuu VI
the irTegularty OF his conviction in the Special Ses
slOns The lOoked.for decision involved the liberty
OF 400 prisoners, IN behalf OF many OF whom OF
habeas corpus were applied Tor In the Supreme
Court.
Judge Bedford replied by saying he was In hourly
expectation OF receiving certified copy OF the de-
the jurisdiction Of theSpecla Sessions. soon
as he perused 1t he woUd render his decision, early
next week.
Minor Cases OF Larceny.
James Johnson pleaded guilty to an attempt at
burglary in the third degree. the allegation being
that on the 18th OF March he entered the premises
OF Thomas Farrell, pastor of st. Joseph's church.
and stole S27 worth OF property. be was sent to
the State Prison for two years and six months.
George Higgins, charged with stealing an over
coat, on the 10th OF March, from William King
pleaded guilty to petit larceny, and was sent to the
Penitentiary for six months.
John White rendered a similar plea, which was
accepted, the charge against him Delng that on the
2otn or March he stole an overcoat from the house
want him punished severely, and the Judge ac
coded to her request by sending White, who was .
very dark skinned African TO the Penitentlary for
one month.
Thomas clifford indicted for stealing $50 from
Michael o Brlen on the 9th of March, pleaded guilty
TO an attempt. similar plea was taken from John
Brown, who was charged with stealing an otter
Cough.
At The request of the complal nants judgment was
suspended In these cases.
AcquittaIs.
William Clancy and Harry Dooner were tried and
acquitted of o charge OF breaking into the liquor
store OF William McGrath and stealing SIS worth OF
cigars.
George Letters. boy Jointly indicted with these
youths, pleaded guilty and was sent to the House Of
Refuge.
Lizzie Shulz. an unfortunate woman charged
with robDtng Thomas MCGUIRE OF a silver watch,
while IN her company at room in Houston street,
was found not guilty.
An Ex-COnvict and an Alleged Young GAR
roter Acquitted.
James O'Bren, daring looking youth, was
tried upon charge OF robbery. The complain
ant, Thomas McGrath, testified that while walking
along Madison street on the night OF the 10th of
December the prisoner and two young men showed
him from the sidewalk into the street, and shortly
afterwards O'Bren took cart rung and struck him
on the top OF the head, INJECTING a wound one and
half incn long; after doing that he grabbed the
chain and stole his watch and ran away. The COM
planning witness said he knew o. BrIen Tor five years
and was not drunk. Upon cross-examinatio
McGrath said was triea In this Court and acquit
ted OF an alleged robbery
Orfcer Harris testified that he arrested the pris-
Oner on the 22d OF March.
James O'Brien was sworn in his own behalf, and
said that NcGrath ran alter him with q knife and
believing that he intended to stab him he the pris
Oner) struck him with cart ring but did not steal
The jury deliberated for a long time and believ.
that there wasa legal doubt rendered verdict Of
Assistant District Attorney Sullivan. in his cus
tomary afabie way, SAID that while he respected
the verdict OF the Jury called His Honors attention
TO the fact that O'Brien mad served two terms on
the Island, and was supposed to be the leader OF q
MT. McCelland rose and in vehement strains and
violent gestculatiOn expressed astonishment that
the prosecuting officer would revlle the jury In dis
charging their duty by acqultting prisoner.
The Judge In dlscharglng O'Brien. said he was
acquitted OF this specific charge OF robbery. The
motive OF the District Attorney In calling attention
to his pad character which he endorsed was to
warn MIN In future.