New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-28
THE COURTS.
BRUTALITY TO AN INSANE MAN.


TRIAL or KEEPER OF THE WARDS ISLAND ASYLUM
ON A CHARGE OF MURDER-rHE BEATING m
PLCTED UPON AN OvERPOwERED MANIAC.
The trial of John Powers, the keeper in the
Wards Island Insane Asylum, who Is charged Win the
murder OF Gustave dc Vernon, patient on March ~
1875 was begun yesterday before Judge Brady Ia 'no
Court Of Oyer and TerIniner The first witness kicho
NJ Rush. the Warden Of the Asylum, testifed tna' yer
non was brought to the asylum in violent and excited
state and that he was taken to Ward IL. The next
morning he found Vernon hGd been removed
10 Ward G. Vernon was terribly bruised Oh
the hip on tho shoulder, and on tho ches''
Powers sent for and as soon as no came ia 'e'No
became much excited, crying out, I" Batons, Daoons
by which the witness understood him TO mean cuoS'
Tho bruises on tho hip and thigh appeared ~ ado ny
several blows Powers nowledged that he had struck
Vernon with piece ath and the witness at once Su
pendod him. Powers aftorwarL acknowledged that he
had struck Vernon with the stick produced IN court
door brace about 80 inches long by 29 broad ana an
inch thick. Vernon had made wreck OF the grazing 10
his window tearing OF tho iron bars and bend
ing the rest.
Thomas Connolly the keeper OF tho ward testified tna'
during the night Vernon was very violent. In inc morn
ing 10 was beating on the door with an iron bar lhc
witness called Van Hammock, a keeper, and smith,
patient. to oyerpower him. They got him down, and
then witness and Powers came in Smith was kneenS
on Vernon's shoulders Vernon was Wrltnng snu ~
ded that while Vernon had iron bar he caught nn
behind and threw him down. Powers came IN ana struc
the patient with stick Smith was looking on WIN TWO
other patients. Powers hit Vernon on the Iegs son.
eral times, and twice on tho shouincr, Win
the edge Of the stick Witness told him three
times TO stop, but Powers refused WIN VIZ
lent language When witness took on vernon,
clothes he SAW long bruse on his legs Two across ms
shoulders and on the chest The Witness WAS aDc
tO-h0L Vernon down alone. A., .o, him
The nrst for the defense was the prisoner Dim
sef He ia pOwe.fuooking man wltn DUH Ieatu ~,
but very nervous manner lie gave his age as D. ne
testified that his attention was called Dy inc hos' IN
Vernons cell and no Vernon with the iron OAR III is
hands ST. king against the door and raging around tue
room he called for hoIp TO prevent Vernon DreaKng oa'
and held the brace against the door Inc paneno gatl
cred round and were much excited. Van Hammock anu
Smith into tho roon and Van HannocN tnrew S
Vernon down, holding his head between MS knees anu
Smith knet his breast The lunatios arms %ero it =,
and no seized ono the hands OF the witness anu trcd 70
bite II. Tho witness then struck vernon Two OF tnec
blows thigh with the stick which nc nad Drought
in and Vernon let go. The witness denied tnat Ihesc
blows were hard and hxt he struck more imam Two Or
three and that any given on Vcrn0ns DreaS1 or
sboulders When asked II he had struck vernon lie AZ
first denied it, thinking anything OF the slight taps ne
had given, but Immediately after tod the whoe iac..
He saw no one strike Vernon but himself ana was not ID
the cell more than three minutes. Inc patients aoInu
the door gave him most anxiety. The case was tnen
adjourned.