The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-19
THE WIFE MURDER TRIAL,

Gross Elk a m in alton OF ShefIlin-Hc Adj
heres Tenaciousiy to His Original
Story to the Killing of His Wife,
Close of the Testimony and sum ming
up by Counsel-Judge Brndy's Charge
to the Jury.
The fourth and concluding day OF the trial of
George Shefiin on charge of numbering his wife
on the 14th OF last January, in the rear tenement
house Ala East Eleventh street, drew large q
crowd yesterday in the Court OF Oyer and Ter
miner, Judge Brady on the bench, as on the
previous days. Prompt in their places were the
prosecuting counsel, District Attorney Phelps and
his assistant, Mr.. Lyon, as also the faithful and
nntiring counsel of the prisoner, Mr.. william +.
howe and Abe II. Hummel.
CRossExAMINATIoN OF THE PRISONER.
1t will be remembered that concluding the pro-
eeedings Of the previous day was the testimony OF
Shefiiin in his own behalf Directly after the
Court was called to order he was again placed on
the witness stand for crosse Examination by the
District Attorney. This examination was long
and searching one, but, will be seen he adhered
tenacieusly to his original statement He said
that he had lived only six weeks with his wife
since their marriage; she had got beastly drunk
two days after the wedding ceremony, and had
been almost continually intoxica ted since
that time until the day OF her death;
man ran out oft; so that he could not see who he
was; mis- wife was lying in the bed naked when he
mt In he tried to raise her up, but found she
was too drunk; he did stand her ner feet aud
slapped her the face, after which she fell the
nOor falling against the edge oil the stove; he saw
no blood then, and sat down to mourn over his mis-
fortunes; alter while he went to bed. but got up
again TO look alter his wife; not finding her in the
room he went out into the yard and found her
body lying In the snow; his sister Mary told him
Maria was dead, which was the first he knew of 1t;
This was in the morning; ne had drink that morn
ing; his mother gave 1t to him as he was in bed;
he knew Maria was dead; he told Mary to yet up
and dress herself and she came ana told him
Maria was dead; he then got up and examined her,
told q lager beer saloon keeper about Maria's
death and how 1t happened; after this he went to
Mary any one about Maria being out in the
yard In TIE cold for an hour: he sat up that night
not think there was a fire in the stove; oil he said
to Maria was, "You backguard have caught
man In bed with you;'' he swore before God and
man that he only struck her one blow; he did not
kick her or treat her with any other violence.
CLOSING TESTIMONY FOR THE DEFENCE.
Patrick Hadden, undertaken testified that on
the morning OF the 18TH OF last January Shefiin
came to his place and told him his wife was dead
and the circumstances OF her DEATH ne advised
once about three years ago he furnished conin
cor achild Of hers and the prisoner.
The question was objected to. Mr.. Howe said he
wished to show that when the child was I'm in the
The question was ruled out and then Mr. Fisher
was recalled who stated that the prisoner asked
him TO go to the Coroner's ONCE and give lnforma-
lion Of his wfe's death, which he did.
REBUTTINd TESTIMONY.
Mr. Howe stated that he rested here and there
upon Mr. Phelps called Mary McGuinn. She testi-
ned that she lived at 4li East Eleventh street. in
January last.
Q. Were you in the yard on the morning Of Mrs.
Sheffiin's deathf
MT. Howe-T object; it is leading.
Mr.. Phelps-How sof
Mr.. Howe-You have taken Mrs, McGinn into the
yard.
The question was put in another form and wit
ness proceeded to state that she went into the
yard on the morning OF the 10Th OF January, to get
Sheflin and said she was afraid she hurt her; MIS-
Shefiin said she had more trouble than that and
told her her had treated his wife horribly; Mrs.
Shenlin had pail in which was bloody water
Cross.examined by Mr.. Howe-She slept In tne
house that night and heard no noise.
Redirect-She lived two flights OF stairs up;
about six O'Clock the evening before she saw the
prisoners wife: she seemed TO be all right and
was nice and tidy
TO q, q Jarornshe had never had any dificuty
Roundsman Riley, recalled, testified that oM
Mrs. Sheflin tod him, "George did this;v he asked
her where George was and she said ne had gone
sway.
SUMMING UP THE CASE
me above concluded the testimony on both sides
and Mr.. Howe proceeded to sum up to the jury
His address, which was most attentively listened
to, occupied considerably an hour, and, con-
BldcrinP the desperate case he had TO deal with
was most ably managed. He was thankful he
had committed murder The simple issue was
whether the prisoner should be acquitted alto
gether or be convicted Of ONE VI the minor