The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-10
COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS.
Two Highway Robbers Sent Each to the
State Prison for Twenty Years-A Ter
ribie Warming to Thieves Who Rob
Ladies in Midday.
Before Recorder Hacket

Laules IN Mluoay.
Before Recorder Hackett.
The first case tried by the Jury In this Court YES
terday was a charge OF robbery the first degree
against young man named Edward Murphy. John
North, the prosecuting witness, who is a mechani-
cal engineer, testified that as he was walking
through Tenth avenue on the morning OF the 18th
OF February, at about halfpast seven O'Clock, with
q roll OF drawings in one hand and leather
bag in the other, he met the prisoner.
He was near Fifteenth street, and said,
BOSS, shan't l carry your vase 2" Mr..
North made no reply and passed on !;
but when he got to Eighteenth street Murphy
passed him on run, snatched the bag and struck
HIM blow under the neck. The complainant made
motion as II 10 take out a revolver and the thief
dropped the bag and escaped. Mr.. North reported
the affair nc the station house. and an ofiicer ar
rested Murphy on the 3lst OF March upon another
charge OF highway robbery. The complainant i'm
mediately Identified Murphy as the man VINO struck
verdict OF guilty was rendered by the Jury with
out moments hesitation.
:. The District Attorney informed His Honor that
Murphy belonged to one OF the worst gangs in the
city, and that witness In this case had informed
an oflcer that he was afraid to come into Court
and TESTIFY lest his life should be taken.
The Recorder, In passing sentence, said that he
had hoped that the sentences recently passed
Dy Judge Brady and Judge Sutherland would prove
q warning to murderers and highwaymen, but he
regretted TO md that these crimes OF violence were
on the Increase. In order to teach the villains OF
His Honor said he would sentence him to the State
prison fer twenty years.
Michael Cannon, jointly indicted with John Gurtz
for robbery, was tried upon the charge, q plea OF
guilty Of larceny nom the person having been
ceived by the District Attorney from Gurtz. The
testimony in this case was brief and conclusive.
Mrs LYDIA Doty, residing at the St. James Motel,
was walking through Twentieth street. near Irving
place about eleven O'Clock on the morning Of the Sd
OF this month, accompanied by her two daughters.
Gurtz gave her violent blow, and In snatching for
ner watch broke the chain and took part oft with
MN, but did not succeed In taking the watch Can
non came up Immediately and inquired what was
.ne matter. lie looked 50 suspicious that she said
:, II peleve you are an accomplice, and II police
man man were mere would have you arrested" Mrs.
Mesterveit, the daughter OF the previous Witness
aetaled the occurrence and said that her sister
pursued curry ana policeman captured him.
oncer Delaney, mounted policeman, swore
that he arrested Gurtz and found the Fragments of
q gold chain on his person.
John Gurtz, the cs-defendant, was used az a wit
ness 10y Mr.. Russell, and said that he Knew Cannon
Two or three years, ans upon the day OF this lar
ceny ne tCannenl showed him against the lady.
saying, Go Tor it, meaning to snatch tho watcyn
and chain. 'N
Michael Cannon was sworn in his own behalf.