The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-26
THE COURTS.
Acquittal Of Policeman William
son for Clubbing Campbell.
DIVORCE SUIT EXTRAORDINARY.
A Breach Of Promise Case-ItS Two Stories
and One Moral.
CHARGE OF FORGING A DEED

There was a lengthy argument yesterday before
Judge Lawrence, in supreme Court Chambers on
the motion 10 amend the answer in the suit
brought by John b. Green against the city. 20 re-
cover $4,000 alleged TO be due for laying Croton
mains. Az the close or the argument Judge
Lawrence took the napers.
In the Court or oyer and Terminer yesterday,
before Judge Brady, Charles Nelson John Sheri-
dan, James Nolan and Henry Sampson pleaded
guilty to an attempt at burglary in the third
degree. They were remanded FOR sentence
The motion for bill OF particulars in the
$6.Oooooo suit against william NJ. Tweed was to
have been argued vest arday in Supreme Court,
Chambers. on the case being called Judge Law
renee stated that he considered himself disquali-
fed from nearing the motion on the ground or
having been consulted as counsel in regard to the
Keyser bills. lie therefore set the case down for
the FIRST Monday in June, when another Judge
Will hold the court.
UNSUITABLE POLICE CLUBBING.
There was large attendance at the Court OF
oyer and TermlneT yesterday, Judge Brady being
on the bench, when evnced great in crest in the
progress OF the trial Of Oncer Charles w. viii
hanson, oil the Twenty-seventn precinct, charged
with having caused the death OF James Cam pbell,
on the 18th OF April last, by striking him on the
head with his club his Efforts 70 arrest him and
take him to the station house, The prisoner, stln
wearing bis police uniform, sat by his counsel,
Mr.. VIM. i. Howe wearing the same look OF con-
hdence as TO the 1nal result as on the opening
day OF the trial.
The second days proceedings opened by further
witnesses being called by Mr.. Howe TO prove the
good character OF Williamson. The first add-
tonal witness on this point was James W. Hustled
eX-SFeaker or the Assembly. lie testified that ne
had known the prisoner since he was mere boy /;
lie always bore good Character ana was VI u very
peaceaDIe disposition
Captain Lowery, OF the Sixth precinct, testified
that the prisoner was one OF the best officers in
his G mmanu.
James Williamson. the uncle OF the prisoner, tes-
titled that Wllamsons character was that Of u
very peace bic and humane man.
William BlrGsall who Witnessed the fight, teSti-
ned that be ore the prisoner struck rne fatal blow
he was seized by Campbell, VINO attempted TO
throw MIN to the ground. Ihls witness was sub
jected 70 severe cross-eXamlnation by Assistant
Dls:nct Attorney Lyons. out tbs testimony as 70
having seen the prisoner struck and pulled down
before he dubbed Campbell remained mistaken.
The prisoner was again placed gu the stand and
examined by Mr. Lyons as to the manner in winch
he struck tue fatal blow he stated that ne was
endeavonng 10 gain a trm iooung and he struck
the dow with MS cluh ia MS left hand. lie was
here HANGED the club, and he Illustrated the man
ner IN which the blow could nave been struck lie
SAID could not swear positively as TO the exact
manner IN wnicn he hit Campbell
The above closed the testimony, and Mr.. Howe
then made lengthy ana iorclDle address 70 the
jury IN summing up. lie began ny calling atten-
ton TO the good character OF the prisoner, which
had Oeen conclusively established oy unialpeach-
able witnesses from MS boyhOod to the pres-
cnt time and Urging that not one fact proven
IN TINS case had impaired that character.
He taen spoke OF the arduous duties OF
the police, oil the trials and risks 10 which
they ure subjected, and claimed mat in the case
which they bad now TO consider The act OF the
prisoner, deplorable as II IN the taking OF
Inc lie Of human being, was committed by ohm
while IN the dlschar.e OF his DUTY While
admitting mat numerically the witnesses
for the prosecution exceeded those for the de-
fence, ne insisted that the prisoners version was
the correct one After alludlng leeungly TO his
family aud his position on the ponce, Mr.. Howe
concluGel his address by nnplorng the jury TO &C
quit the prisoner; 'fOr,' he SAID III YOU convict
TINS man you strike greater blow at the efficiency
oil toe police and the security OF the lives ana
property or the community more lasting and dis
asTous in ifs effects than that which result ed in
the death OF the deceased"
Mr.. Lyons folio we'd In a speech OF nearly equal
length. strenuously combating the various polnts
raised In the prisoners behalf lie insisted that
there was no occasion for the prisoner to use his
CLUB il. the harsh and brutal manner he dld-a
harsaueSs and brutality that could not otherwise
tnan result fatally. he urged conviction uDder
the indictment, not only as a proper punishment
for tie crime committed, but warning 10
other policemen VINO are given ~ using their cubs
on me slightest prOvocatlOn. Judge Brady gave
briei but clear aud Impartial charge. While AMI
madverting IN terms Of the strongest severity
upon the too great frequency OF policemen using
determine Whether IN the present case the prs
oner was justified ia striking tue deceased as an
act OF sell-defence.
The Jury, after being out Two hours, brought in
4 verdict oil mot guilty. liz was q hard mat Ell
ior he asscm0lage to restrain their enthusiasm at
we're warmly congratulated on tue favorable ter
minatIOn OF the trial.