The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-20
THE uEGGI- SEIGfRIED POISONING CASE.
Second Trial of the Accused-Testimon
for the PrOsecutiOn-The Defence
Deny the Presence Of Poison.
AN OLD CORPORATION STATIONERY BILE.
The Corporation Counsel Asks and OBJ
tains a Postponement- De-
fence Excessive Charges.
THE YOUTHFUL HOMICIDE.


A Boy or Fourteen Shooting q Playmate
Plea OF Mansla lighter in the Fourth
Degree Acccptcd-Scntcnce to the House
OF Refuge.
Prolific as the city is IN crime, and youthful as are
the majority OF offenders. it rarely happens that
boy OF such tender years as William w. Barker-he
is only fourteen years Od-ls placed on trial upon
the charge OF murder. Such a scene was wit
messed, however, yesterday morning in the Court
Of Oyer and Terminer, before Judge Brady. Young
Barker, who is a lad of unusually fine appearances
and seeming intelligence showed that he lulty
appreciated the gravity OF the charge pre-
ferred against him, and during the recital
oil the testimony by his former youthful associates,
detailing the particulars OF the sad tragedy, was
often affected to tears. The name of the boy whom
he killed was John ID. N. Shaefer, who was about
the same age as himself
FACTS or THE SHOOTING.
The shooting occurred on the 18th of last Fehru.
boys were in Mrs. Browns house. $50 Sixth avenue.
The deceased had fOX's tail which he sportivelY
brushed across the face of the prisoner, which in
censed the latter, and, taking pistol from his
pocket, he pointed it at Shaeler's head and at
tempted to fire it, but the cap did not explode.
second time this time with fatal effect. The load
went crashing into the brain of Shaefer and he
afterwards. Young Barker at once ned, but he
was soon captured by the police at the residence
Of his grandfather, where he lived. The Coroner's
jury returned verdict against him. ana the Grand
Jury FOUND an indictment against hun for murder
in the first degree 1t was In connection with this
dalton to the Court to call the attention of the
Legislature to the necessity of more strenuous
enforcement of the law in reference to carrying
concealed weapons and the sale of such weapons,
particularly to minors.
COMMENCEMENT OF THE TRIAL.
1t took some time to get jury. After the Jury
were empaneed Assistant District Attorney
Lyons opened the case for the prosecution, ana
then called, as first witness, Thomas II. Senior, .
bright boy OF thirteen years. who stated the case
some other boys were in Mrs. Browns house ON
the night OF February 7, when, some little dispute
occurring between Shaefe- and the prisoner. the
letter put pistol to his head twice; the last time
1t went on, the ball hitting the deceased in the
temple; Shaefer said, just before he was shot.
shoot you ~ after the occurrence the prisoner said,
''Oh! my God, what shall do ?" and fed from
the room. The other boys presen. at tho
simply cOrrObOratiOn OF the above. All concurred
In saying that they had not previously known Of
any misunderstanding between the prisoner and
edged selling a pistol a day or two previous TO Q
boy OF about Barkers age, but she could not tell
whether he was the boy, and neither could she
identify the pistol.
ACCEPTING A PLEA OF MANsLAUGHTER.
At the conclusion Of the case for the prosecution
the defence took a brief time for consultation,
alter which plea OF guilty OF manslaughter in the
fourth degree was put in and accepted by the
Court, Judge Brady saying he conld see from the
and could be no other offence but that stated in
the plea
THE SENTENCE.
Evidence was put In as to the boys character.
showing that he was not O vicious or a bad boy.
Judge Brady said that he had always made it q
rule when possible not to send young boy to the
State Prison even to the Penitentiary, and he
therefore sentenced Barker to the House Of Refuge.
He added that he wished it could be ascertained
son almost as reprehensible as the boy and deserv.
ing Of severe punishment.