New-York tribune., 1873-07-31
FRATRICIDE IN NEWARK.


| THE MOTHERS PWEOUs ACCOUNT or THE FATAL
oUAIREL-THE MISSING suOE-KNGFE.
The killing Of James Brill in Newark on
Tuesday evening by his brother Alexander has created
great excitement in that city the sympates Of whose
| people are with Alexander rather than with the de-
ceased, who know violent and dangerous man.
Six years ago he sent 10 the State Prison for killing
Fritz Schlegcl German brewer, but pardoned at
the end OF three years through the exertons OF his
| brother Alexander In that case, 1t is said that
schlegel attacked Alexander with mallet aud James
seized 1t and him the blow which caused his death
Two brothers lost boir lives In the of the Rebellion
| in which James was twice wounded. Their father,
shoemaker by trade, died about two years ago. since
which time the two brothers have lived with their aged
mother No II Beacon-st where their vine-covered
cottage welkepr garden give evidence Of industry
and thrift. Alexander WAS foreman OF Engine No. TO-
under the old Volunteer Fire Department, and assistant
foreman OF No. steamer under the new. James was
| a member OF tho same volunteer company. pecu
arity Of the presented to the Coroner's Jury
yesterday, was the absence OF tho knife with which
James wounded and the conflicting opiuions as to
the place where he stood when stabbed. Tho only one
who overheard the quarrel which led TO tho Killing
was old mother and her testimony did not cover the
last fatal moment. Tho only complete story OF the
quarrel and stabbng is that given by the prisoner
and present there seems no probability oI us Delhs
refuted in any particular.
Coroner Vreeland impaneled n jury in the Court
house, and proceeded No. II Beachst to view the
body and take the testimony of the mother. The corpse
bore no marks OF violence exceptia small stab-wound
just below the cOllarbone on the left side.
Chrstiana Brill brought into the paror, moan
ing piieously her eyes filed with tears and her voice
tremuous with emotion. She testified that both her
came homo on Tuesday evening, before o'clock,
James arriving first Alexander found fault with James
about little thing which the latter did MT Ike and
so it went on thing to another until they got
I Il oh. Il
stopped the and after she returned they began again
she did MT see any blow struck she saw James rush
out into the rain; Alexander into the kitchen, and
she went out and James lying on the grass 81 went
to my boy" she said, "and spoke to him. but he did MT
answer; oh, no no he had nothing more to say;' she
then went and called In neishbors; she saw no.
blow struck and did ut know that either OF them had
knife she had not seen the knife Alexander had
| been drinking, but James had not.
Mrs Catherine Kendall gave her testimony after the
ury had returned 70 the Courthouse. She went 10 Mr.
Birrill's house after the killing and helped carry the
body INTO the house while it lay the kitchen nOor
Alexander came and looked at III his mother said:
See what you have doneV he answered: " 1t was in
| soli-defense."
James Allison brother-nlaw OF the prisoner, was at
home about 25 minutes Of g. when Alexander came
rushing n looking wild and haggard, and said: Come
right over hOme-I am afraid baye killed JIM" be
said that his brother had attacked him twice with
other with IT; witness and found James dead
on tho foor be then went TO the police station to give
information there found the prisoner who had
himself up; had searched everywhere for the knfo
which the prisoner said he had thrown down IL tho
yard but had not found II.
Bethune L. Dodd, County Physician. described th'
wound 1t was an inch in length penetrating the left
bre ast near the junction Of the collar and breast bones
TO the depth OF about inches. II nearly severed the
aorta HI could not have lived 1Ye minutes after
ceiylng tt
Police Captain Rogers and Lieut.. Partenf,lder De-
scrbed the surrender Of Alexander Birril his state
ments TO heiug the same those made by him to
others The police had searched tOr the knife without
RaIph Jefferson testified that he was near neehbor
to the Birs aud went 10 their house soon after
the fatal event He remained there during the night
on being closely questioned ey the S3nhty hq
that toy would fad the knife, ana he had FORMED
recalled and wife Agnes, sister OF the prisoner
called; but nc lcr OF them had heard Mrs Blrr say
ANYTHING which led them to think that she knew any
thing about the knife. She had repeatedly SAID that she
had not found IL.
THE PRIsoSER's STATEMENT
The prisoner said that he wished to make statement,
and having been duly cautioned. he permitted TO
do So He has a repuIsve counteuance, with red hair
and mousache, aud side whi,kcrs OF The same color
hrul5e over his right eye scratch the nose. and
large black mark the left check bore evidence OF the
conflict OF the night before. lie said
The night before last mother went oNt ana DDuEit
pOund veal outlets and fried them they were for our
Tuesdays dinner but that night before going 10 bed,
James eat them, and Yesterday mother had 10 Try
some eggs for dinner; when came home said 10
mother that Jim had the cufcs and he tod me IL
was none Of my business, ana if didn't keep my mouth
shut he would slap stepped back, and he ran and
clincacd ue, anu fell in tle porch; Jim Ou top.
aud caught by the throat, and hit the face
| eight times; he ch0ked me so that | couldn't
breathe for much minute after he got OF; when
got up, mother said ought TO be ashamed OF our
| selves; I answered her that I always spoke
| the TRUTH James said: "IIavent you got enough
/ rive Vuu more
he hit me again. and caught me by the shirt with HI
left hand, raising his right hand, which saw contained
knife he said with Oath, I'll cut Your heart OUT
and as be said seized his hand with both Of mine aud
wrrnched the knife away from him. struck hm with
il; that's all; I've nothing more to say. He answered
questions pat 10y the foreman and by the public
prosecutor and showed tAem the bruises upon his face
| and others his breast. Tho knife, he sad,
common shOe-kuife which had belonged 10 his father
| and which frequently lay around the kitchen.
The Jury retired at Gas j.. m and after absence OF
half hour rendered verdict TO the effect that the de-
ceased came lis death from stab inflicted by a knife
in the hands OF Alexander Brill. AS this verdict
include murder the second degree, the prisoner
| committed without bail.