National Republican., 1875-05-28
Sonle CDntradfcfOry StateEents-AII
Agree that Shea Struck Ffrst-The
WanderinEs OF fStephensOn-Why
He Returned HOme-He In.
sists that He Shot IH Self.
Defease-LOdged in Jail.


quarters AS will be remembered, Stephenson,
after comEittlng the deed, fed from the city, and
all traces were lost of htIE, When he was in
formed Uf the death OF Shea he was much sur
priscd, AID stated that the act WAS committed in
selCdeIsase and outside OF Sheas store. He said
that Immediately after the occurrence he became
trig Uttered and started from the city. He crossed
the Long bridge as rapidly as possible, and
WaIkeC 10 Alexandria. On the way he threw his
pistol away. He remained in Alexandria all
night and the next deg walked a long distance
in thS county in search Of food. He did one days
work for an old colored man, and then walked on.
On his tramp he worked for several parties, but
did not stay more than one day. On Tuesday be
reached the house Of an old cOlUred man whom he
knew, and to him he cOnhded the story OF the
shooting. He advised him to come to the city and
give himself up. and he acted on his advice. step
ping on the way at his half sisters, in AlcXan-
drIa where he spent the first night.
He seemed much depressed, but feels sauguine
that he will be eNoDerated by the court. He is
quite a brightloOking, intelligent man, about
tWcnf y-siX years old, and is member Of the col
Crei MasOns' and Odd Fellows fraternities. He
has been for some time in the employ of r j..
Steer. agent OF w heeier x Wilson, and has here
tOfore bone good character. He was taken to
the Police Court and committed to Jail.
THE TEoUEsT.
Or. Patterson yesterday, about u m, held "a
inquest over the body of Shea, at his late reE-
6eDce. corner Of Third and L streets northwest
d. !. F. Hsrtigan made an autopsy.
The following jury was summoned D. Me-
L. ii y.
Mann, A. NJ. Bland, John Lewis. Jno. Battle, J.
W. Gray, W. H. Dorsey D. RiOrdan, J. Cabin
and Ii. Wall.
THE TESTIMONY.
John Doug herty was sworn and testified that he
resides at No. Ills New Jersey avenue. On the
evening OF Monday, May II, Shea stopped at wit
ness house. and they went cut together in Shea's
wagon: they visited house on Eleventh or
Twelfth, between Z and F streets to see q man
named John Lee, who rented house from wit
ness: Mr.. Lee made an engagement to meet them
that evening at $50 o'clock at Shea's house; Shea
and witness got back TO the sore before dark,
where they remained quite a while: Shea asked
witness to remain at the store until his return
he wac going 10 see tenant: witness did so, and
on Shea's return he stated that he did not the
party; AIR. LIE did not come to the store as he
promised, and $50 o'clock rolled by without his
presence: Shea and witness then Weht out to-
gether and stopped on Fourth, between K and L
streets, at one Of Shea's houses; they next went
to witness house to see If Mr. Lee had been there;
be failed to meet them: witness met Mr.. Hines, a
EeighbOr Of his, and stopped and talked with him
some time: about o'clock p. U. witness returned
TO Shea's store; Shea went around the corner to
his desk; witness went around also: Shea was
writing out receipt for witness; Stephenson, who
was on the outside Of the counter, interfered and
asked who was going to get the parties out OF the
house; Shea asked Stephenson If he was renting
the house, and Stephenson replied no; Shea said
II Stephenson had any business to transact with
him he would transact it; Stephenson said to
Brown,
"YOU WILL GET TIE WORST OF IT."
BTOWn TeplleQ ne ala not care. He knew what he
was doing, and asked Stephenson to keep quiet.
Shea said 10 Stephenson, keep your damned
mouth cut of it." Stephenson replied taat he
did not want his mouth to be called damned
Shea ordered Stephenson out Of the store, and
Stephenson went, followed by Shea. Mr.. Brown
met Stephenson on the outside and tried to
get him away. Stephenson showed Brown and
returned to the store. aod asked for ten cents
worth Of crackers. Shea refused to sell them to
him, and told Stephenson to 90 cut and not to
come back again until he was sent for. Stephen
\
and, turning to man in the store, said You are
witness to this" Shea then went as far as the
deer with Stephenson. and witness saw Shea
make a graf for something. The last time witness
saw Shea be was on the platform outside of the
door, but could not swear whether it was before
Cr liter the firing of the first shot. Witness was
in the house, near the desk. The shots were
fired RAPIDLY.
BY u juror: Could not swear to over three shots,
and he did not see the shots fred. He did no;
know who fired the shots. TIE man hred after
The grabbing took place. He did not see a
weapon in Shea's hands.
!. ". GILBERT
tcsts1ed that he resides Oh North A street north
east: was in Sheas store at the time of the occur
renee: about 10 O'Clock two cOOred men came into
Skea's store: e heard Shea say, Il order you out
Of NY house, he said this to one Of the men; the
Een Gid no 90 then, and Shea walked from be.
hind the counter and politely invited them out OF
the house: he next took the man by the arm and
led him to the SIDEWALK. and returned 20 the
store: INN ediately after O2e of the men returned
to the store. and walked up to tue counter and
asked for some crackers: Shea refused to sell
them to him: Shea again ordered the man out OF
the store, and went 70 the door with him: Mrs
SLea asked witness 10 20 ont and ask Cornelius
to cone in: witness was talking to Mrs Shea at
the tine: he was about TO step toward the door,
" hon be saw fash and heard the report Of
pistol: two or three followed: ne rctreated to the
rear part OF the store shelter: witness did not
hear any CUarreling: Shea and the man were out
side about five minutes.
Ry juror: Did not see any weapon in Shea's
EaLCs.
W. y. CHICHESTER
that he was al the store Ou the evening Of Mayl7
and cOrrChOrated the testimony given above. In
addition, hO testified that he saw Stephenson
with the pistol in his hand after the second
81 OF.
BY a Juror: Shea had no wcap.n of anv kind:
did OF see him throw anything
Or johnson Elliott testified that he was called
On Monday night, May l., between the hours OF
have been shot in three places, the serious wound
being in the abdomen, on the right side. The
course of the ball could not be detected. Wit
ness' impression was that the wound caused
Shea's death. Wires had been in attendance
On Shea since the shooting.
DIR. BOGAN
testified and corroborated the testimony OF DIR.
Elliott. He assisted Dr. Hartigan in the AUTOPSY
death.
Dr. l. E. Newton offered corrOboratory testi-
mUDy.
DR.. J. FRENCH HARTIGAN
testified that he examined the body and found
three wounds, one in the middle Of the right arm,
another back Of the left elbow and the third in
the right side of the Abdomen, nearly on a line
with the navel, six inches from the medium line.
He i0und congestion OF the lungs; the other or
gans were healthy. Upon tracing the opening of
the 0domen he discovered perfOrattOn Of the
Peuton cum, and the ball was then evide atty de-
hCcted in its course by coils in the ntestines He
i0und the ball buried deep behind the psO IS mus
Gle, in contact with b VerJebra. The vicinity OF
the course Of the ball was completely sOfyened
n n q
pressure. THIS was the cause of death.
BY juror. He considered the wound mortlI
and hey Ond the reach Of surgery.
JOHN BROWN
testified: He said he brought Stephenson with
him, to assist in having receipt drawn up. He
cUrrUbOrated the testimony given above. In ad-
ti.iOn, be testified that he and Stephenson went
into the bar and took two glasses OF ale. Tney
next left the bar and came out into the store
Shea said to witness that he would have to come
In the morning for the receipt, that be had not
Come in the course Of a half hours time" Wit
ness and Stephenson then went out and stood on
he pavement and talked awhile Stephenson
vent into the store to get some crackers; witness
remained outside. Stephenson returned, followed
BY Shea to the pavement. Shea stood on the edge
u his porch when he said: You damned hOund
L you come into my place again I'll mash your
Stephenson replied that he cOuId mash also
shea then struck Stephenson with his fst and
Stephenson then fired and fell back TO the street
: hea said that was nothing, and ran towards
Stephenson, and he (Stepheuson) fired again.
She next went towards his house rapidly,
By . juror: Stephenson was near the curb on
he opposite side OF the street when the last shot
Tas fired. Three shots we're fired. Stephenson
Tcs retTeatinK all the time After the blow was
track Stephenson had no chance 10 get away:
'hea Kept croBding Stephenson. Witness did
OF go with Stephenson after the shooting
teIa ensOD had been drinking. but was not drunk
he allow was struck before the first shot was
red.
W. D. PLowDAH
,stifsr that he was at the pump on the opposite
)rner a the time Of the Occurrences; 1t was 1850
clock yEe heard q disturbRnse e at Shea's store
hea kick and strike somebody, but did not KnoW
bo it was. lie came to the curbstone and saw
le eoIoFRd man Shooting: witness went b lcE to
le middle Of tJae street, and when the third shot
as fred he found that Il was Charley Stephen
u. After, TIE fourth shot was fired witness came
the store and asked Mr.. Shea what was the
after. Mr.. shea replied, that he was not |
Irt."
By inror: ,Sb.a kicked Charley aud struck |
m before the hBIa g was done; Shea was on the |
Tch when he 4kitl.ed Charley, and when he 1
-uck him be was 1al the pavement; Stephenson 4
lE in the Etddle or the street when the fourth |
Of was fired
By Lit Kelley: He san large number OF persons 4
The pavement: DID rot know Brown; sure four 4
ots were fred. CharIss jumped out 10 the mid
J on he street and rud tier he fired the fourth
q; UIfpRss called for sSh'ebody TO catch him,
d Shea told EitneEs TO hGsh up.
THE VERDICT.
rhe case vas then given to th.s jury who re-
ned verdict TO the effect tn, u Lne said Cor |
fFa he Fnh ar i