The New York herald., 1875-09-24
COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS.
Before Recorder Hackett.

ARSON
John Gonzales was placed trial yesterday charged
with in the FIRST degree. The evidence for the
prosecution showed that the restaurant OF Leno Mar
tnez. at No 1872 Pearl street. which Is in basement
was set on fire the night of the 18th OF June and
that it was discovered by Irshman and negro
who slept in the premises dcmUohn filed with
kerosene found on the basement steps after the
fire extinguished which speedily done The
principal witness for the people was spaniard named
Antonio Marino, who was in the employ OF the de-
fendant He swore that Gonzales offered to
give him 500 and promised send him to Cuba if he
would assist him in firing Martnez's place; that the
night of the fire he accompanied Gonzales, who carried
a demjohn of Kerosene to the place and broke open the
basement door, that he (wItness) afraid the police
man would see them, and rs soon as he the pris
go into the basement he ran to the Fulton ferry
and waited till Gonzales came and they went to
Brooklyn together. Gonzales told the witness that be-
of his action he prevented consummating
the fire
Counsel for the accused submitted the witness to a
rigid crossexamiuation
Mr. Howe briefly opened the case for the defence,
stating that he would show the satisfaction OF the
Court and jury that this was conspiracy against the
accused.
John Gonzales was then called and testified in his
behalf He said that he did not set fire TO Mar
tineZs store, that he never took any Kerosene
there had conversation with the witness
the prosecution about setting the place fire, and
offered him no inducement to aid him in doing He
further testified thai he left his restaurant in Maiden
lane the evening OF the fire about hal-past
O'Clock for his home in Sands street, Brooklyn,
companied by Martin Madena.
Assistant District Attorney Herring brought out the
fact in examination that there fire at his
(te defendant 81 place February 1875 and that the
insurance paid and he continued the business and
that he dissolved partnership about year and half
ago with Salvatore Villea The prosecution offered TO
prove by letter, in the prisoners handwriting to his
partner that he refused TO share with him the proceeds
of the insurance
but decided that the prosecution could show by wit
have made which would affect his crediby.
Martin Madena, the prisoners cook testified that he
left Maiden lane with HIM the night of the fire and
went to the prisoners house in his company for the
purpose of carrying home the dirty linen to be washed
that Gonzales told about the 1re the next morning
by who came into the restaurant when he (Gon-
Zaes said he did not believe it. The mOther-inaw of
the accused corroborated Madenas testimony. Three
witnesses testified the good character OF the defend
ant.
The will be concluded to-day.
BURGLARY.
Donald Harris, who jointly indicted with John
Gibbons for burglary the rst degree pleaded guilty
TO the second grade of that offence. The indictment
charged that the night of the 25th of August they
entered the dwelling house of John Gottsberger No 345
East Seventeenth street The had conflict
with Harris in the paror, who captured by police