New-York tribune., 1873-05-03
THE COURTS.
BLEAKLEYs DEFENSE.


TnR PLEA OF INSANITY ONCE MORE.
All the testimony on the part of the prose-
cution in the Bleakley trial having been taken Mr..
howe one Of the counsel the prisoner proceeded
yesterday morning, open for the defense he spoke
Of the disgrace brought upon unsuled name by the
action Of the deceased and urged them 10 consider its
effect upon prisoner claiming that his deed was the
result OF an uncomfortable desire 10 wipe out the black
spot upon the OF an old family. Beakey be said
Was not responsible his the time OF The shoot
ing beng in an condition Of mind brought about
by his family troubles. The counsel cited numerous
cases in which defense Of insanity had been inter
posed showing that these cases, when an acquittal
was procured, the persons aterward died IN lunauc
asylums.
Mary Friedman then called to the stand, and tes-
tined that she hOusekeeper at No u6 West twenty
sxthst at which place the deceased at time board
ed prisoner there his niece three or four
times their conversation was alWaYs pleasant witness
present 40 one Of the interviews out COuiu not IT,
late its character.
sarah Wilbur testified that she lived at No ll6 West
Twentysixth-st; she had seen Beakley az her mouse
three times he his niece twice; his visits she un
dersood 70 De friendly ones was NOT present ecsssd a, a
once IN her room and once IN the paIloTT ,, ,t
shooting smith brought Bleakley TO her house,
No 2 De Kalbave. Brooklyn, and told her that be had
a ni-foI and she was afrd he would Kill himself the
prisoner took the pistol and put IL 10 his head VII
ness asked him tO put II away, that he might ft SOME
of her children that were In the room he answered
came in and took the weapon from HIM witness knew
Beakley for over two years; be always acted very
geutemanly IN her house; often eane there sh5 shi
thought, for sympathy frequently talked ABOUT MAUI
Merrill, and cried when speaking ABOUT AeTi ne nulu
that she the cause OF her mothers deathi ocCa-
sonally he would appear lively, and at other times he
was ow-spiried the Friday before the -hoouhg ne
came her house and SHE syInpathzed with nun Over
his sisters death, which, he said, was all owing 10
POlly's misconduct, - -
John W. Leycrau testified that be had seen Bleakey
drink but had never known him 10 be drunk. -,
Dr. T. j. Brady, Brooklyn Police Surgeon tesilheu
that ~ cOnyersed with the prisoner al fulce beau
quarters. the morning after the shooting bleaAsy
did not then appear ike man who had cOnInItteua d
crime, but ike one who had performed a duty.
VIM. B. Marsh knew the prisoner intimately Decailo
ACQUAINTED with MIN througn political asrOolatioh 70
which they both belonged; met hm on tho day rogers
was hanged, aud on asking him he desired "a SO 'e
erecutOu the prisoner replied that he did not thAs ne
had trouble enough himself and did not wish 10 SCI a1
body else suffer; previous 20 the tragedy witness a
spoken about the seeming insanity OF the aocuscd
he had two nleces but never heard him SPEAK aOou'
them. r,..,.,.-
Catherine J. Ackerman testified that she met heakles
at "A wedding party last November, aud was afActeu
by strange appearance aud by MS singular mannoi'
which moody and distracted
Oscar T. H0dguns knew the prisoner -inee about 1901,
aud often talked with him about his family in ireland
aud their troubles at party, given at the mouse o tne
witness, BleaEley wa Dee himself, he was sehoIaiy