The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-23

A FelOni0us Assam upon u Keeper of the
House Of Refugc-ThevYouthfu Despcra-
docs Sent to the State Prison by Judge
Bedford.
Before City Judge Cunning s. Bedford.
The only case of general public interest disposed
OF yesterday in this Court a charge of felonious
assault and battery preferred against two youthful
desperadoes, named Thomas Mclaughlin alias John
Ryan, and Michael Lawler, alias Martin Reynolds,
inmates OF the House OF Refuge The Grand Jury
found another indictment against Mclaughlin. The
complainant In this particular case was Thomas II.
Meledy, one Of the keepers of the House OF Refuge
on Randall's Island, who testified that on
a me St aio,. OF b.. this month number
the House OF Refuge, among whom were the pris-
oners; ne gave chase, and when they got to the
Laughlin cut him on the cheek, on the ear, and in
two places on the back or the neck with sharp in
to How profasey The COMPLAINANT upon s,9 cross
examination, said that they attempted to escape
between three and four O'Clock in the afternoon !;
| when he got to the river bank Mclaughlin was In
the water; he thc witness) had a small club in his
hand but did not use 1t upon any Of the boys.
Daniel II. Sprague, the Vice Principal Of the
school, called to prove that the prisoners were
inmates of the House OF Refuge.
Michael Lawlor was called by Mr.. McClelland and
| examined In his own behalf. He said he saw some
boys run, towards the gate, and followed them
towards He river but ne had not time to reach the
other boy to go on the bank while standing there
he saw boy named Driscoll and the prisoner Nc
|
two or three times in the face but he Q.awler) had
nothing to do with the stabbing, and did not hold
| the complainant
| Thomas Mclaughlin was also sworn, and ad-
mitted striking the complainant but denied hav-
ing struck him with knife.
The jury convicted them OF assault with q
dangerous weapon, with intent to do bodily harm,
and recommended Lawler to the mercy of the
Court.
Judge Bedford said :-Gentlemen, always like to
pay all the Difference can to the jury when they
recommend party to the mercful consideration OF
| m
| this LAWYER is, and If you still recommend him to
mercy will consider it. Some time ago these two
account of their youth the District Attorney
very properly took plea which enabled me
About ten days ago superintendent jones'
wrote me a letter. which is on file with
the clerk stating that they Were desperate reck
the stab wound upon the complainant, of which you
have this day pronounced them guilty but two days
afterwards, on the 10TH they nearly killed another
| keeper. have been ofcially requested to put
them out of the way-to send them either to the
| State Prison or the Penitentiary. think as mat
ter of law, well u matter of fact, that LAWYER
Is just as guilty as the one who inflicted the stab
wound. Where the inmates Of an Institution are
so reckless and desperate il would be bad
precedent, considering the antecedents OF these
| prisoners, to put on record recommendation to
mercy by the jury, because subordinatiOn is the
salvation of every institutions that II you with
| draw that recommendation to mercy will my
! discretion In the matter.
The Foreman OF the Jury-It Is withdrawn.
Assistant District Attorney Sullivan-There Is
anOIner lnulcJuenJ against Mclaughlin, DuJ VIII
not try 1t.
Judge Bedford shall send you, Lawler, to the
State Prison for five years. Mclaughlin you
only sixteen years Of age, and shall send you to
the Penitentary for five years.
Larceny In n Clothing Store-The Youth
ful Thieves Sent to Sing Sing by the
City Judge.
John Barker and John Mclaughlin were tried upon
an indictment charging them with burglariously
entering the tailor shop Of Simon Fisher, No. on
Frankfort street, on the night OF the I'd OF this
month Clothing valued at 800 was taken. The
testimony was not sufficient to sustain the charge
OF burglary but the jury convicted the prisoners OF
grand larceny the goods having been found In their
possession. The officer informed the Judge that he
never saw the boys do any work. His Honor SEN
fenced each Of them to the State Prison for three
years.
.Adolph Beer pleaded guilty to having an obscene
photograph in his possession with intent to dis
pose Off, and was sentenced to the Penitentiary for
six months
An Acquittal.
Patrick Mcdonald was tried upon charge OF
stealing pocketbook containing SAT, from Thomas
Fitzgerald, on the 22d of November. There was no
legal testimony to substantiate the allegation, and
the jury were directed to find verdict Of not
guilty.