The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-09
BROOKLYN COURTS.


The Van SICKLE Poisoning Case-Johan-
na O'Leary's Serious Chnrgc-Thc Pris-
oner's story.
Before Judge Tappen aud Associate Justices.
AT the trial OF John Van Syckle for the alleged
poisoning OF his wife, Mrs. Workman, who for
merry lived with the prisoner and his wife In the
mousse In Henry street, testified that she had heard
van Sycklc express wish that his wife was dead.
She frequently heard them disputing with each
Other and on one occasion the prisoner burst in
the door OF his wife's room they did not occupy
the same room, and witness heard MIS- Van SICKLE
cry for help.
John Workman, son OF the last witness swore
that he once saw Van SICKLE strike his wife with
broomstck. On the crosse xaminat ion however
witness said that he did not see the blow struck,
but when he entered the room Van SICKLE had the
broomstick in his hand and Mrs. Van SICKLE said
she had been struck. The witness testimony in
relation to the blow was stricken out.
The principal witness for the people yesterday
was the cook, Johanna 0'Leary, who swore hat
she once heard Van SICKLE wish that his wife was
dead and Damned On one occasion she heard
them quarrelng together, and in response to Mrs.
Van syckle's screams she ran into the room and
found her lying on her back on the floor. There
was the imprint OF fingers on her throat. Van
Sycke left the room, and on his way out said to he
me and my wife iii break your skull' In relation
to the occurrences Of the day OF the poisoning the
Mrs. Van SICKLE came into the Kitchen about
eleven O'Clock, before she went to New York,
and told me to have some tea for her when she
ovor it put It on the range Mr. van SICKLE came
IN about one O'Clock; asked where his vile was; !
SAID she was IL New York; he asked had , she her
fetched his in from the safe and then went to my
washing ! came back to give him some tea; he
said to him "what are you doing with the
mistress tear he said, 'Go to -lr went
out and when came in again the pitcher was on on
hand lie poured some boiling water into the pitch
er; no stad there pretty near an hour he told me
he grinned at me, ana the lightning was in his eyes
like cats; made jump and went out; no told
me not to say any thing about has being there; Mrs.
Van SICKLE came home about three O'Clock; be-
tween four and five she sent after some tea; Mary
Ellen came N and saa her mother %a warsed Some
Y was the pitcher took up; left 1t there with
The crosse Examination did not materially aGect
her testimony.
the FL S,s ah
At the outset he emphatlcalIy denied that no had
poisoned his wife, and said that he was not aware
that he had ever struck her. She was good wife
to him and he had no cause to complain OF her.
ISS aa ee nssn sick @ pe
In the kitchen; may have been there an hour;
drank tea out Of both the teapot and pitcher put
mistress asks you if.I have been here you may tell
her, II she doesn't ask you needn't :" came home
in the evening early and then went back to the
shop: came home again at ten O'Clock took the
children and went up stairs to bed; do not re-
member Mary Ellen calling me up
The cr0ss-examinatlon revealed the fact that the
prisoner had been arrested on several occasions
previous to. this, but he was acquitted Of the
charges preferred against HIM TO further ques-
tioning by District Attorney Dritton he replied:-
never told my wife had another vile selected
when she was dead: have said to her in fun that
could get another woman any time she has often
said 'Here's q dollar, go and get 0ne;" two or
three months before she died she said to mo that
she would go to Mr.. Pearsall and get o separation;
did break open my wife's bedroom door; l said,
Here's the chidrcn's night cOthes;n she said,
LAY them down on the floor - then said II she did
not open the door would break 1t open l put my
knee against the door and pushed the latch OF;
she tod me to leave; told her that while she was
my wife had right to be where she was; alter
that when knocked at her door she opened It;
have taken money out OF her pockets when found
her dresses lying about; did that TO see II she
would miss IT.; we never had harsh words about
money; she never said that she was afraid to eat
meat that brought to the house; she told me
mover to bring any pork 70 the house.
No further testimony OF any importance was
elected, and the case on both sides was closed.
Mr.. Spencer summed up for the defence, and was
followed by District Attorney Britt0n AT the
conclusion OF the addresses Judge Tappen' an
nounced that he would charge the jury this morn
ing. The Court then adjourned until to-day, at
ten A. NJ