The New York herald., 1874-12-11
THE BOY BUTCHER.
Trial OF Jesse Pomeroy for the Murder
of the MILAN Child-Fearful Record !
of Cruelty-Verdfct of Murder in the |
First Degree.

of Cruelty-Verdfct of Murder in the
First Degree.
BOSTON, Dec. 10, 1874.
Probably there never was before known juven-
lie criminal possessed OF such murderous and
fendish proclvlties as the one whose trial for one
OF his murders has just been finished in the
Supreme Court in this city.
The story OF his murders, including that OF little
Kate Curran and his various atrocities nave
already been told in the HERALD. In the
trial for the murder OF the Milan boy, just
concluded it appeared from the evidence that
on the 22d day OF last April the body OF
the victim, boy scarcely ,tour years old,
was found IN piece OF marsh which lies north OF
the Old Colony Railroad and Dorchester avenue,
near the Crescent avenue station. The body was
still warm and bore the marks OF some fifteen
stabs. The throat was cut and the hands OF the
chlld were badly lacerated. The body was found
by twelve-year-old boy named Powers, who was
out digging CLANS with deaf and dumb brother.
Upon the discovery OF the body by the little BOY
Powers he saw Two men up the marsh and
ran ana told them OF what he had discovered. The
men we're there for practice with a gun, but I'M
mediately took steps to notify the police and care
Horace II. MILAN, who had resided but few
months at has home on Dorchester avenue.
Yne last the boys mother nad seen OF her cnlld
him penny to go to the bakers TO get cake.
AT hall-past eleven he was seen by other boys
to tnis, about twelve O'Clock, they were seen by
other parties together, gong toward McKay's
the creek they were met by another boy no was
coming away from where some men were dlgelng
clans. Inc Pomeroy boy spoke to this last lad,
and asked what the men were shooting on the
marsh, and so was recognized Dy the latter. Ine
Pomeroy boy was seen TO lit the MILAN lad
over the creek, and their tracks, large and
small we're afterward traced, side and side,
to the spot where the body was iound All these,
together with other strong circumstances point.
inc q OrOuuht trial.
THE LINE OF DEFENCE
adopted at the trial was insanity, and the points
which we're proven were well stated by the couL-
sei IN his opening argument, He said that when
first ne took charge OF the case be had some
doubts as TO whether the prisoner was the gnilty
party but as time wore on 1t had come to his
mind that such was the fact. Though he had
allowed the government TO- proceed win tneir
upon the case, ne had admitted many things with
out holding the government 70 strict proof:
This boy was Just now past mis- hfteenth year, and
al the time OF the crime was but fourteen years and
five months old. Had it peen five months earlier
It would have been question In law as 10 his
responsibility, for between the years OF seven and
fourteen IL is a disputed point whether person
can be responsible Tor crime. The circumstances
or the case remarkable, as had been the boys
lie and character since birth. BE ore he was
three years old he was very sickly and was not
expected to live for long time. Al i've years old
he exhibited remarkable characteristics; he was
discovered on one occasion innictng crueues on
cat and there were many instances where he
showed peculiar traits OF character. IL had been
the endeavor OF his mother to bring him up prop
eTly and, aside from the pecuii&fltles exhibited,
he was good boy. In August, 1871, he was very
sick with pneumonia, since which time he has
acted strangely and seemed TO delight In human
suffering. The boy cannot control his feelings,
and ne thinks himself that no cntld would be sale
when in mis- hands, The counsel claimed tnat
Pomeroy was insane, and that the act committed
by him was that oil an irresponsible person
During the progress OF the trial, which COM
menced last Monday, there has been the most in
tense public interest manifested. me evidencc
was all In yesterday. and to-day has been reserved
for the arguments for and against the prisoner,
the charge OF the Court and the
VERDICT OF THE JURY.
The case was given to the jury at about half
past five this afternoon, and alter deiberating
until nearly eleven O'Clock this evening they came
IN with verdict OF guilty OF murder in the drst
degree, with recommendation 70 mercy.
The young prisoner manifested no feeling
Whatever when the dread decision was pro-
nounced, but MS mother wept violently. Although
the pnpic is satisfied with the verdict there is
nevertheless, popular disappointment, as IT was
generally believed that the defence Of insanity
would De maintained by the jury. There has
been great excitement all the evening pending
the Deliberations OF the jury, and all the pubhc
resorts In the vicinity OF the Court House have
been 6Iled with crowds anxiously waiting for the
verdict The death sentence upoD iDe juvenile
Ielon VIII ~ Innn0ppGed tomorrow.