The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-18

Close OF the Trial Of Gilligan-Sentenced
to State Prison for Life.

Close OF the Trial Of Gilligan-Sentcnced
to State Prison for Life.
The most intense interest was manifested yes
terday in the case OF Gilllgan, on trial at North
Hampstead, for the murder OF Philip Reid Howard.
The court room, even at the early hour at which
proceedings were commenced, was densely
packed. The prisoner, as on the day pre-
vious was accompanied by his wife and children.
and was apparently uncOncerned as to the result
OF the trial. He was cross-eXamined at some
length by District Attorney Downing. He had
been in the habit, he said, Of cunning on the
meadows for some years past, and had not been
interfered with Howard, he admitted. at one
time fell back, but it was-he insisted that 1t was
for the pIrpose OF coming at him another way.
He was examined minutely as to the position
OF the parties when the shooting took place.
and finally acknowledged that Howard was going
towards his house when the encounter occurred.
In his explanations, Gill1gan exhibited pen ana
ink diagram OF the premises, prepared by himself,
which he insisted upon referring to, instead or the
one in the hands OF the District Attorney. Hia
general statements did not vary materially rom
those Of Lennon.
The defence then introduced several witnessed
to testify as to Gtigan's character, and testimony
IN rebuttal was brought forward by the prosecu
ton.
summed up the case Tor the defence IN speech
lasting an hour and half, reviewing the evidence
mnutely. and claiming that no premedtatio,n had
been shown, as were necessary unuer tne law "
convict OF murder in the first degree
District Attorney Downing summed up LOT tue
people, in O speech OF an hours duratl0n nc
characterized the testimony OF Lennon ana GlLl-
gan as false and conflicting; cOntendeu tnau tne
verdict for the crime was "pure cassedness ana
insisted that deliberatiOn was shown LOT The iact
that Two shots were fired. -. -
Judge Barnard then charged the jury he ex.
planned the points OF the law bearing upon Jne
ease In order to prove murder In the first de-
gree four things must be shown:-lst. That the
nan was dead. I'd. That he must have been Killed
by Patrick Gilligan. Sd. There must nave Deen
Decentralization and deliberaton. Attn. Tne Killing
must not nave been Iustifable under the law. The
frar two acts were clear. AS to the third II was
Cor inc Jury 10 find whether there was deliberar
tion even for an instant. AS TO the fourth, the
iurv must find whether the killing was done in
seli.deience. The Judge then explained the char
structed the jury that they were to decide with
out fear OF consequences.
The Jury retired at quarter to twelve O'CLOCK,
and were absent about TWO hours, when they re-
turned a verdict OF murder III the second degree.n
District Attorney Downing moved lot immediate
sentence. Gullgan was ordered to stand up, and
did so smiling, and having very little emotion. In
answer TO the usual questions he stated that he
was fifty years OF age, born in Ireland by occupa-
ton carpenter; could not read nor write waa
never IN prison BEFORE and had nothing to say ex.
cept that he was innocent or the charge.
Judge Barnard then made few feeling remarks
to the prisoner, descanting upon the en0rmity Of
his crime, and said that there was not o shadow
OF doubt but that the verdict OF the jury fully
sustained by the evidence. He then sentenced the
prisoner to the State Prison for life at hard labor
and GillIgan was removed from the room In charge
OF the Sheriff.