The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-30
THE R0DERICK MATR1C1DR.

THE R0DERICK MATRICIDE.
The south Brooklyn Sunday Tragedy
Inquest Before Coroner Jones.
Yesterday the investigation touching the man.
ner in which Mrs. Ann Roderick came to her death
was commenced before Coroner Jones and jury,
In the ONCE of the Coroner, County Court House.
The interest which the tragedy has 0ccasioned
among the people OF the neighborhood in which it
occurred was strikingly apparent from the crowd
in attendance at the inquest
THE FIRST WITNESS
examined was Mrs. Margaret Johnson, who resided
next door to the deceased, on Ninth street, near
Second avenue. She testified that while standing
at her door ON Sunday evening, about halfpast six
O'Clock, she saw George Roderick and James Cor
coran 1.-THE prisoners) scufring, and Mrs. Roderick
was standing between them; the scuffie lasted
about fifteen minutes; did not see any blows
struck; saw Mrs. Rodericks hands up to her son
to protect him; heard
SCREAM A PISTOL GO OFF
and then saw Mrs. ROderck lying dead on the side
walk; witness assisted in carrying the body into
the house; George was excited and appeared to be
very sorry.
Thomas Fullum, the next witness examined tes-
tilted to having seen James Corcoran 60 up to
George Roderick, as the latter about to go into
his own yard, and ask him. "Could he HEX nimf"
George said, mo, go away, can't lick you - then
OF his coat ana bucked him with his head in the
face and punched him, and then George hit James
too2' then be (Oorcoranj put his hand IN hts
Roderick pulled out revolver his mother grabbed
hold Of 1t, and Corc0ran grabbed hold OF 1t; the
mother grabbed hold Of It irst; the revolver then
BY the hammer; COrc0ran grabbed IL by the
%uz7s was standing right alongside
anything when he pulled his pistol out;
didn't hear any one speak about shooting; before
he up to did mot any
Roderick; Corcoran was under the influence Of
liquor; don't know whether Corcoran had pistol
Of beer; didn't hear George say anything before
Gorcoran took hold o. MIN; ! was close to
Georges coat with his left hand when the pistol
was drawn; Corcoran put his right hand
INTO HIS POCKET FOR THE PISTOL;
George had his pistol in his right hand; the pis-
tol went or as soon as Mrs. Roderick and Corcoran
took hold oft; Corcoran ran away after the shoot
ing; he ran towards the bridge; stayed behind
and helped to carry the body into the house, was
assisted by the son and Mrs. Johnson, the last wit
did not hear any quarreIling after the shot was
fired; did not see any one standing at the side OF
the house; am certain that George didn't go away
from the fence; tried to stOp the fighting by at
pushed me away; alter the pistol was fred on Cor
60; Corcoran stood right by the body and did not
make any attempt to examine 1T; Mrs Roderick
m IN nsr a es notice was wse se
George was under the influence OF liquor or not;
during the scuiiie George was trying TO get away
from Corc0ran, and was assisting to get COrcOran
MRS Ellen Mead ana Patrick Walker corrobo-
rated the testimony OF the witness Fullum. Sam
uel Roderick, brother Of George testified concern
ing an act of violence committed by Corcoran at
their house, two weeks previous the fatal occur
renee.
George Roderck made the following statement
OF the array
had 1s with 9 s S
q Second avenue. when ] saw James corsoTan and
aaccompanying him; heard Fulum trying % dssuade
s SSs
20
p: hs called Which ] PAID 20 ss,sS.
sG'
sSS
10
en and she WITH v1m hsS
to es SseH @ s @ Caught n
and begged standing by to officer
then struck him twice the he then released
from his mouth, when endeavored to tear through
the back OF coat 70 get away from him. but found
could not do III Corcoran said, II hear you have re-
volver;
I'VE COT ONE, roo;'
at the same time he made movement with his right
hand TO take something from his pocket; mother said,
my God George, he will shoot you; instantly drew
my revolver which mother tried 10 grasp; both mother
and Corcoran tried 70 get hold Of the pistol the pistol
then discharged scufe ensued amer that between
me and James for the possession Of the pistol which
finally got and threw il as far as could Corcoran en-
deavored to get IT, but held him back then somebody
said Your mother Is shot = saw her lying on her back
answer sre the witness utterly broke down for mo-
from the ONCE where was engaged at work. riu
! took it out Of the office 70 protect my mother,
at home found the outside door bolted; Knocked and
the door was opened and as soon as got outside Mr.
Walker standing the stairs; he lWalkeD made
some remark about disturbance which had just Oc
CURED in the house, then opened the door 10 apart
ments and walked I'M where my mother lying in bed
weeping asked her what was the matter, and she said
ness; the mother said MOI, Coreoran then used foul
language TO mother and took out knife and said that
he would stab her.
Mcssrs. Morris and Pearsall. lawyers, then tes-
tilted as to the very excellent character OF George
RodeIick, who has been in their employ for the
past five years.
The Coroner then adjourned the inquest until
Monday next.
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