New-York tribune., 1873-02-18
THE SCANNELL TRIAL.
ExAMINATIoN OF sHERIDAN SHOOK AND SEVEN
OTHER WITNESSES.

ExAMINATIoN OF Sheridan SHOOK AND SEVEN
OTHER WITNESSES.
The examination of witnesses in the Sean
nell murder begun, yesterday, IN the Court OF
over and Terminer, before Judge Brady scanuel, with
bis wife, mother sister and brothers, were present with
bis counsel, MSssrs Beach, spehcer, HoSe and Peter
Mitchell The only counsel for the people was District
Attorney Phelps one juror little late but
as he had taken place Mr.. Phelps began his opening
address 10 the jury after which the first witness Ed
mund Stevenson, living at No. s66 Tbirdaye., was
called, and gave a!s st9ry ABOUT Tie esspg aitair.
He stated that he Vas IN the poOlrOOh at Broadway
and Twentyeghthst the evening OF Nov O. when the
pools on the then pending election selling; he
acquainted with Thomas Donahue and also knew the
prisoner; while standing the bar in the pooroom.
talking acquaintance, about O'Clock, with his
back TO the entrance he heard pistol shot behind him
previous TO he heard noise OF scue his friend
cried out. My God - and turning around he saw man
with large-sized pistol In his hand with the muzze
pointing downward did not recognize the man at first,
but afterward that it John scannel, the prls-
oner at the bar: at first he did not see who or
what scannen was firing at, but going closer
TO the door perceived that Thomas DOnahue
lying at the foot Of the steps leading to the side
walk. Mr. Stevenson under the impression that five
shots fred altogether the first he heard but did not
see he did the four other shots fired; Immediately
before the shooting he had seen D0nahue in the pool
r0om aud had also noticed the prisoner after the shoot
%S doSwnwsrd; SOMEBODY came and said Help the man
up" L. said the witness, did not touch him. did not
Ike 10 touch him. but left the place very quickly; the
prisoner left after he had fired the last shot going up
the stairs and into the street!
version 0 tho affair." he having been present at the time
of the shooting. He stated that he knew Donahue for
two OF three years previous 70 his DEATH although the
acquaintance wac not of very intimate character The
last time he him few days before the shoot
ing He had know the prisoner also for few years. and
the night that Donahue SHOT saw him rat John
sons pOOl-roOm, at Broadway and Twenty-eighth-st
conyersatob was Of an ordinary character A few
Inomen9 alter he parted from him he heard the
report OF a pistol immediately heard somebody
cxclam. " John. stop!" and at the same time he per
ceived Scanne standing at the door leading the street.
holding in his hand pistol and firing at the body OF
some man lying the floor about four feet from him;
the face Of the man lying down on the ground was
turned downward but he did not move to see who 1t
was; after the shooting Scannell went up the stairs
alone. He was asked ON the cr0ss-examinat0n If he
could describe the pistol but could not he only thought
that the one produced In Court-an Immense navy re-
vover-was like It. He also stated his position at the
time of the firing
benjamin f. Brady and VIM. W Drake followed quickly
Witnesses and the testimony OF both was to the Same
Stevenson Shook and Brady differed IN one particular
They all placed DOnahues body In the same position but
all made Scannel stand at different places In the
while firing at Donahue, one putting him about four feet
he said he advanced while firing. On the cross-exam
nation OF Mr. Drake, who appeared TO be Remarkably
goOdnaured sort OF person. came out that he formerly
kept billiard saloon at Broadway and Fiftha fa
though not active businessI where he admitted
card playing one OF the amusements allowed
James Barclay, Francis H. Hamilton Henry Sauls
shots fred but Barclay and Murphy the deed and
Murphy that he saw bcanne stand on the steps,
take deliberate aim, and fire at DOnahue This closed
the testimony OF the day, aud the Court adjourned