The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-25
THE JERSEY NEGRO MURDER.
Summing Up the Case-Both Prisoners
Acquitted.

Summing UP the Case-Both Prisoners
Acquitted.
The trial OF Israel Morocco and George Thomp-
son, NEGROES, for murder in the first degree, was
concluded yesterday at Pennington, N. J. Mr..
Hageman, counsel for the defence, in an address
or two hours duration, Analysed and sifted
the evidence adduced by the prosecution
IN very ingenious manner. and re-
viewed all the circumstances of the case.
He PROCEEDED to explain the crime OF murder as
laid down by the statute which Is OF two degrees.
He pointed out what constitutes each degree, and
said that very lew cases come within the nrst de-
gree. while many come within the second. The
first great question in this case is-"What caused
the death OF theodore Cruiser Was it the wound
in the neck or the injuries in the
abdomen ~ Counsel cOntended that the
latter was the cause, which was substantlated
by positive testimony while the former theory was
only propped up by uncertain and unsatisfactory
evidence. Counsel ridicued the conclusion ar
rived at by Drs. Cicero Hunt and Pettinger when
they said that death was caused by the wound In
the throat, because they were uncertain as to
whether the injuries in the Internationally
called OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES sufficient to cause
fatal eject. He reminded the jury that many
man has paid the penalty OF his life through the
blunders and mistakes OF physicians in
t"stifying as to the cause OF death. He
said the physicians examined by the
prosecution did not DO honor to science or their
profession III the manner In which they manpu-
lated their case-ttey were very careless IN their
duties. During his address Mr.. Hageman called
the attention OF the jury to the sad and deplorabe
condition OF society which, he said existed in the
negro settlement on Sourland Mountain, where
this alleged murder was enacted. He said 1t was
Mormon settlement which the United States
government ought TO take in hands, The prisoner
Morocco seemed IN be the only legally married man
that came from that place. Nearly allthe witnesses
examined SAID they were never married, although
they lead the same life as If they had been. They
lived In open adultery and f0rnfcatiOn within
few miles OF the residence OF the prosecuting at
torney, and not a CHRISTIAN man or citizen inter-
tered to break up this sad state OF things Where
is the arm OF the lawG IL was school OF crime-a
the churches send their bands Of praying
sisters into the midst OF this den OF infarny
and rioting were the order OF the day, and the
laws OF God and man were defied. It was a crying
eyi to allow these people to i've in open violation
to direct the batteries OF the State at this barn.
cade OF iniquity and blow 1t to pieces. These
people lived worse than the savages or
heathens In view of this state OF AFFAIRS,
counse lin conclusion, made most fervd and
pathetic appeal Tor the prisoners, and reiterated
his confidence in q verdict Tor acquittal.
Mr.. Chambern replied in an able manner, and
quoted sn extensively from various portions Of the
his demand for convicti n.
The Chief Justice then made lucid charge, in
which ne instructed the Jury on the various legal
points connected with the case and reviewed the
evidence in detail. He said 1t was case of great
magnitude, OF great Importance to the State
and OF still greater Importance TO the prison
ers. great burden rested on the jury and their
duty was one OF great responsibility. The case
contained two prominent points. The 1rst great
them, guilty OF any crtmeS II they are guilty,
what is the character OF the crimeY After an hour
had been exhausted in the delivery OF the charge
the jury retired and returned alter the lapse OF
one hour and thirteen minutes with verdict OF
not guilty Tor both prisoners. They were accord.
lngy discharged from custody.