Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-09-24

TRIA OF =. T. MURDOCH ON THE CHARGE OF
WRITING The THREATENING LHrTER.
In TIE Criminal Court. Judge Humphreys,
this afternoon, novel case, probably the first
Of the kind ever tried in this District, was
Samuel B. Murdoch, rather handsome
young man about > years of age, was arraigned
on the charge OF having on the 18th day of June
last, sent threatening letter TO Hon. Fernando
Wood for the purpose Of extOrtiDg money from
him. The accused plead not guilty.
Mr.. W. j.. Miller appeared for the accused,
and raised the points that il was not an jndict-
able offence; that this court has not common
law jurisdiction over it, and that the Police
Court has exclusive jurisdiction.
The court said these questions could be raised
hereafter.
TESTIMONY OF HON. FERNANDO WOOD.
HT. Wood was sworn, and testified that on the
evening OF June 18th two cOlOred boys came to
his house AMI ruDz the bell. He went to the
door, and they handed him letter. Witness
had the original letter in his hand.
The LETTER Is as FOLLOWS:
"Sir:-I am satisfied az TO your guilt. l have
one reason for not shooting you. l will settle
Tor $4,000, You to take the woman and keep
her. The alternative-I will empty seven
chambers of a Colts revolver INTO YOU on the
hTst opportunity. Answer Immediately in
writing 20 messenger. s. b. NJ.
publish you in all the New York papers aud
write 10 your wife. 5. u. M"
Robert ROCpe, cOlOred, testified that he was
with another boy, and Mr. Murdoch met them
81 the corner Of 18th street and New York ave-
hue. and asked them TO take letter for him TO
Ar. Wood house. They did 20, and Mr.. Muir
dock said that lie would go half way up aud
show tie house. Witness went up to the door
and rang the bell, and handed the letter to Mr..
Wood.
CLAMP B1rlst cOrroborated Roane, and said
IN addition that while they were at the door
MurCOck (ElO had told him to tell the other
to say he vas at Wormley's) got behind the tree
box.
NR. WOOD RECALLED.
MI Wood was recalled, and testified that he
Questioned TIE boys As 10 who sent the letter,
and they said the man was at WOrmley's. He
then went 70 the club house, taking the boys
with him, and called on Col. James G.. Berret
COLONEL FERRET.
Ofhcer Hineline testified TO being called on
the night in question By Colonel Berret, who
requested him 20 accompany him. Witness
went with him and found the prisoner standing
near Mr.. Woods house. Colonel Berret asked
what i your name. and he jprisOner) said
''Wilson-" Colonel Berret said that was not his
name, ard witness took him into custody, find
ing seven shooter COsded) on him.
MI BerTet eorrObOrated the proceeding wit
nesses.
RoJert DodsOn testified that he lives at Mr..
WOOC'f; that in the afternoon the boys called
with letter, about O'Clock, and ne told them
that Mr.. Wood was not in, and they did not
leave It. SUhseq uently lie found the envelope
IN the hall-after Mr.. Wood had returned.
LAW POINT.
This was all the testimony, and Dir. Miller
moved to quash the indictment, claiming that
NA4Ac " a. uot All AANAACNdD4c OuclCcs
Judge Fisher sald that this very point had
been decided in case in Delaware fifteen
years ago, lin which he prOsecuted.} 1t had
been ruled that the sending Of threatening
letter was high nisdemeanOr.
Mr.. Miller replied, claiming that there was
no authority making this high misdemeahor
At common law.
Judge Humphreys overruled the motion to
quash.
Mr.. Miller asked that an exception be noted
JUdge Humphreys briefly charged the Jury
and they retired AZ 2.l5, and in five minutes re-
turned
ga VERDICT OF GUILTY"
Mr.. Miller fled a motion for a new trial.