The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-12
MURDER TRIALS.

All Cases OF Homicide To BE Cleared
from tho Calendar-Trial OF Charles
COrdes To Commence To-day i'm the
Oyer and Terminer-Modical Examina-
ton as to the Sanity of Bleakley-A
Murderer Who Is Not Insane. m
At the reassembling yesterday morning OF the
Court OF Oyer and Terminer-Judge Brady ON the
bench-there was the same large crowd in attend
ance as during the progress OF the late Scannel
trial. Aside from the general morbid curiosity
that always attracts 50 many to murder trial, 1t
was the general expectation that King the alleged
murderer OF ONen, would be placed on trial. 1t
having been announced when the trial OF Scannell
began that his trial would Immediately follow.
The case OF King, however, was not called. This
OMISSION the reason Of which, though unexplained,
no doubt could be satisfactorily explained
If at all necessary, did net leave the
Court, though, without business Plenty ofindicted
murderers are still confined In the City Prison
awaiting trial. As 1t was, there was jury, so the
only thing that could be done was the calling OF the
cases OF several and arranging for the speedy trial
OF one OF them.
CASE OF CHARLES CoRDEs
This was the first case called. COrdes, as will be
remembered, Is indicted for the murder, in NOvem
Der last, in Hudson street. Of John Dom, the killing
growing out as alleged. OF a dispute In regard to
MIR. william F. Howe. counsel for Cordes, said
that he was prepared to proceed with the trial at
once bat rs there was no jury present 1t would be
Impossible, OF course, to commence the trial till
jury was In attendance.
Mr.. Lyons Assistant District Attorney, said there
would be a jury the next day.
IL will be ready then" remarked Mr. Howe and
the trial was accordingly set down Tor this morn
Ing.
The particulars OF the taking OF the life Of Maud
Merrill by Robert Bleakley, her uncle. In January
last at disreputable house in Nelson place. are
still fresh IN the public memory.
Mr.. Lyons suggested that the trial OF Bleakley
hp ntere q
Mr.. Howe stated that he appeared also for
Bleakey, but he felt IL his duty to ask postpone
ment oil the trial for the present. This case, he
continued, assumed peculiar phase. The prisoner
interviews with him he was perfectly satisfied in
his own mind that ne was insane. Bleakey found
that he was a prosecuted martyr, and, being a
religious fanatic imagined that 1t was his
duty to Kill his niece on account Of her
leading life of shame. He asked the Court to
depute two physicians to examine into his mental
condition and before the trial report on his sanity,
and thus save the time, trouble and expense of a
prolonged trial. He added further that he desired
q postponement, as during all next week he would
probably he engaged in the Court OF General Ses-
sons, III the trial OF Heggi. charged with poisoning
months a prisoner in the Tombs, and as he had
only recently succeeded in getting the case on the
calendar for trial he very anxious that nothing
should intervene to compel its postponement.
Judge Brady SAID ne conceded with the sugges-
ton OF Mr.. Howe as to a medical examination INTO
the mental condition Of Bleakley, and said he
would appoint two physicians for this purpose, and
meantime let the case remain in statu quo.
THE PHYFFER MURDER.
Some remarks cnsued as to the disposition to be
made OF the case OF Michael Nixon, accused OF the
murder Of Charles Phylrer in Chatham square.
"What defence do you propose to make in this
case" Mr.. Howe, who also appeared for Nixon,
was asked
'Not one Of insanity" promptly answered Mr..
Howe.
Judge Brady.
OTHER MURDERS.
In the OF NiXOn in the case OF Fitzpatrick,
Gibbons, Schiefrelin and ether indicted murder
ers, whose names appeared on the caendar-for all
Of whom Mr.. Howe appeared-Judge Brady directed
Mr.. Howe to consult VITA the District Attorney
and arrange for the times OF their trials. He was
DESTROYS TO get through the calendar as speedily
as possible, and was still firm in his determination
to protract the term Tor months longer II neces-
sary to clear from the calendar all cases OF nomi-
eide,