The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-28
THE WARDS ISLAND LUNATIC MUIR
DER.

The story or the finding In the street OF
poor and friendless man wandering about in
demented condition. his being taken into custody
BY policeman, his conveyance before q police
magistrate. his commitment to the Wards Island
Lunatlc Asylum, mis- being brutally beaten there
by one OF the Keepers and his subsequent death
from these injuries was told IN fun at the time in
The HERALD. This unfortunate man, IT was
Ascertained after his death, was . represen-
tatlve OF the old French no6lesse, his name being
viscount CASTOR de Vernon John Powers, one or
she keepers In the Wards Island LunatIc Asylum,
was charged with the fatal beating. As developed
In the subsequent investigation before the Cor
oner 1t appeared that on the oath OF March last
De Vernon was brought to the institution that
he was placed in cell In ward Il. that on the
succeeding morning ne became exceed
lngs violent and that IN his paroxysm OF
violence he wrenched from its asten-
with which he commenced battering the cell
door. The noise attracted the attention or
Keepers Won Hammock and Powers. The former
rushed into the cell, and, watching MS oppor.
tunlty, seized the raging lunatlc and threw nina
Win violence on tine door, holding MS head
came TO their assistance knet upon the chest
Of the unfortunate man. While thus held
trate Powers seized bar OF wood and struck
him several heavy blows, nacturlng three
ribs and otherwise mJurinR HIM internally,
from the enects OF which he died four
days afterward. Meantime, In his struggles TO
escape from his tormentors, nearly every snred or
clothing was torn from him. strait jacket
hao been put on hin, but IL did not restrain his
violence. The blows from that bUdgeon alone
quoted him, quiet presaging death. The trial
opened, as ALREADY related IN The HERALD on We'd
nesday In the Court oil Oyer and Termlner be-
lore Judge Brady, where jury was lmpanelled.
IN the reaSsenDHng OF the Court yesterday
morning the interest felt IN the SHOWN
N densely crowded court room. the prisoner
whose mild appearance hardy Indicates the pos
session Of the brutal cnaracterstics indicated by
the state Of facts above presented, occupied seat
py his counsel, MIR. William u. Howe, with look
Of placid uuconcern and an air OF seli-pOssession
DetGkenlng evidently no serious Apprehension as
10 the maj result District Attorn Lyons, who
represented the prosecution, opened the case, pre-
sentlnR, substantially, the iAcLs ABOVE recIted,
and animadyertng in strong terms upon the
brutal character OF the crime charged against the
Island Lunatic Asylum; Thomas Connolly. q
Keeper, anc George Won hannock, au attendant,
were the nrst Witnesses called. Their testimony
developed nothing vi special interest additional
ever, teslhed that ne urged Powers 10 ueslst from
beating the deceased, out be paid no neeu 10 MIN.
Drs. Mcdonald ana klernan testified tna. the de-
ceased, on being confronted with Powers efter
beaten him. TaeY testified, iurtner, tnat tue post
norton examination revealed nine large ana ais
tlnct bruises on the body and the fracture or tae
second, third and fourth ribs, producing pneumo-
MIA, which caused death.
Mr.. Howe lnen opened the ca-e for the prisoner.
Ire nrst tness called for the defence the
prisoner. de gave an empnatic denial 10 the
nature OF the beating and stated that the lunatlo
smith had knelt upon tne cnest OF the deceased,
That Won Houselt had thrown the deceased win
great violence and sat upon his head and that he
pnlJ beat the deceased with q small latn to pre-
vent the latter biting MS thum0. The prisoner
was submitted 70 rigid cross-examinaton Dy Mr..
lyons, after which tue Court adjourned till this
morning.