The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-05
COURT Of GENERAL SESSIONS.
A Dishonest Domestic Sent to the State
Prison for Five Years.
Before Judge Bedford.

before Judge BEDFORD.
The most interesting case disposed of in this
Court yesterday was an Indictment for grand lar
ceny against colored girl named Emma Seymour.
The complaining witness, Mrs. Ella M. Bennett,
who was dressed in deep mourning and appeared
to be very respectable and intelligent, stated that
on the 2eth OF July she employed the prisoner
as domestic She only remained two days
and left early in the morning, without the
knowledge OF Mrs: Bennett, and soon after she was
hose Missing When the
arrested she was wearing the suit and the water
Mr. Mott was assigned to defend the girl, and, in
answer to the question whether Mrs. Bennett
loaned the articles to Emma she replied in the
6Gcer O'Brien, Of the Twenty-second precinct,
stated that Mrs. Bennett had made her complaint
the prisoner came there for lodging he arrested
her and sent for Mrs. Bennett, who Identified the
dress and cloak which the prisoner was wearing.
This closed the case for the people, Emma Sey-
mour then went upon the stand and had the au-
dacity to tell the jury that Mrs. Bennett and her
SEYMOUR would look better In white OF q green
dress at ball which she was going to attend. Her
tha That i a n COOL she
went to the niger dance "a wearin' Of the green"
and didn't get home till morning, having gone
down to the Eighth ward on q drunk. When she
heard that Mrs. Bennett had officer after her
she went to the station house and gave herself up
The jury did not believe the colored damsers mar
rative and rendered q verdict of guilty without the
slightest hesitation.
Judge Bedford, in passing, sentence, said:-The
jury convicted you OF grand larceny. When you
were arrested and brought before the committing
magistrate you promptly acknowledged your
guilt. Today IN your own behalf you enter the
witness box and under the solemnity of an oath
deny your guilt, thus committing wilful perjury.
The Legislature year or two ago saw fit in their
wisdom to permit prisoners to testify In their own
behalf. While do not dissent from this action,
still must say that nine prisoners out of ten abuse
endeavor to stop this frequent and terrible perjury
c con may say daily In our courts Of jus.
who commits In his or her own behalf wilful per-
Jury shall get the extreme limit Of the law. Be.
sides, dishonest domestics must be taught lesson
and shall commence with you by sending you to
the. State Prison for five years.
Judge Bedford's Views az Regards wit.
fiesses Held In the House OF Detention,
A respectable elderly woman was brought before
Judge BedfOrd's notice who had been detained
IN the House of Detention for three months as a
witness in case of homicide and who had been
discharged short time since. She asked for CON-
pensation for her loss Of time. The Judge allowed
her $50, stating that he thought that 1t per-
feet outrage and the refinement of cruelty to keep
poor, innocent woman who happens to be q wit
ness locked up for three months, and had he known
Of her confinement he would have taken her word
for her appearance on account OF her respecta-
bility 1t was but yesterday the Judge also had oc-
caslon to discharge respectable colQfed man who
had been in the House of Detention for ten weeks
awaiting trial in an ordinary larceny case.
Judge Bedford intends to examine the list of cases
where witnesses are confined in the House OF
Detention and will give them preference in future
great hardship is infiicted upon poor but respect
able and Woodworking people, who are unable to
give bail for their appearance as witnesses to
prosecute prisoners who are influential enough to
procure bail.
Another Burglar Sent to Sing Sing.
George Thompson, charged with entering the
premises of Sebastian Nickel, 2O4 avenue A. on the
Sd Of August and stealing three coats valued at
$780, pleaded guilty to burglary in the third degree.
served a term In the State prison, and could not,
therefore, show him any lenfency. He was sent to
the State prison for four years and nine months
William Snyder, charged with stealing SAT worth
of clothing from Raphael Funai, 22O Bowery, on the
18th Of August, pleaded guilty to an attempt at
grand larceny, and was sent to the State Prison for
two years aud six months.
+. r"ta Forgery.
John Grinlth pleaded guilty to forgery in the
fourth degree the allegation against him being
that on the 1st Of August he presented forged
order for fifteen doubleswing baskets to a sales.
man Of the Archer Pancoast Manufacturing Com
pany, purporting to have been signed by Thomas
Ii. Van Tine. he was remanded for sentence. '0''''
Acquittals.
Thomas Durand was acquitted Of a charge Of
attempting to burglariously enter the hair estab.
lshment Of Herman Lehman, 1918 Broadway on
the 18th OF july An officer thought he saw him
run from the door and followed him. The accused
was put upon the stand by Mr., Hummel, and told
very straight story, to the effect that he was run.
ming after a car when the officer arrested him,
having been out late at party He proved good
character, and the jury rendered verdict Of not
guilty.
verdict Of acquittal was also rendered in the
case Of Thomas n: .Sayers, who was charged with
stealing q 500 bin from colored sailor, named
at store In Coenttes slip. Mr.. Hummel, in cross
examining Johnson handed him o IS, a So and a 81
BILL to test his knowledge Of the various denomina-
lions of bank notes, and the witness pronounced
them all to be SIS bills. The accused denied the
charge and his statement was corroborated by the
clerk In the clothing store, which, coupled with
proof Of excellent character, resulted in verdict
OF not guilty.
James Doylo, charged with burglary in the third
degree In entering the liquor store of Patrick
Mcdonald, SOP Ninth avenue, was tried and &C.
quilted.
COURT CAleNDARs-THIS DAY. N-f7s-
SUPREME CoURT-CHAMBERs-Held by Judge