The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-19
TRIAL FOR ARSON.

The trial OF Jeremiah O'Connor, indicted for
arson in the 1rst degree, was commenced yester-
day in the Court OF General Sessions, before Judge
Sutherland. DIs.ric: Attorney Rollins appeared
for the prosecution. Mr. Orlando l. Stewart de-
Tended tile accused.
The prosecuting onlcer. in opening the case
said that prisoner kepta small grocery store at
No. 63 Mott street; that on the night OF the 18TH
OF April smoke was seen issuing from the store
which nearly suGocated a family who occupied
o room above, but who fortunately escaped !;
that, upon an examination OF the store, two dis
tlnct hres were observed, one on the door and
another upon q counter eight feet from the first,
showing that II tncendiary fire. The
prisoner was accustomed to sleep in the back part
OF the store, but on the NIGHT in question ne was
seen 10 taIry lew moments alone in the store
and then leave it. He had only 500 worth OF
goods in the place and was insured for $780, which
he (the District Attorney annrmed was the motive
for the commission Of the offence
THE TESTIMONY.
The first witness called was Daniel OConnOr,
the cousin ol the defendant, who swore that ON
the night of the fire he was 10 the store, and
shortly AFTER ten 1t was locked up and ne accom-
named Jeremiah TO feed store, where he boug mt
oats Tor his horse, from whence he went TO his
staple; they then went to Danefs apartments, the
prisoner intmatlng desire to see his vile, VINO
was very sick; after remaining there while the
prisoner lett, and at twelve O'Clock an oflcer
aroused the witness out o. oed and placed h III
under arrest, he was liberated a few DAYS.
Edward Maner. Daniel spelman and James Carroll
testified 10 the circumstances or the breaking
our OF the fire; they saw smoke issuing from the
grocery store OF the pr1-0ner, and wnen IL nad
partially vanlsned they discovered two distinct
nres, one being on the top ol the counter ana an
other the moor, about eignt Ieet distant rom
II. There was a barrel OF kerosene at the end OF
the store, and pools OF the nnid were seen on the
door, Captain Lowery swore that ne understood
tnat the nre was speedily put out by me
snenesl e1snSusneT ano "Hen me pace
he too. the two separate hres and a
bundle OF paper bags and some newspapers, partly
burned. While there me prisoner arrived, ana
IN response to question about Insurance, sara ne
was insured IN the NatIonaI insurance Company
Ior 500, and proceeding TO crawer, presented
the Captain with the policy. The brother OF the
the back room. but no clOt ing was found IN
them. The insurance policy included the clothing
with the stock o groceries. OConnor was ar
rested on the spot by a detective.
Charles E. Galacar, VINO TOOK an inventory OF
the stock two days after the IRE, presented q copy
oil IL TO the District Attorney, VINO offered IL In
evidence.
was examined at great length and confirmed the
previous witnesses as to two distinct tires.
Lew Goldsmith testified that ne occupied apart
ments over O'Connor's grocery lore and on the
night OF the fire he was sleeping there with mis-
Jonn o. sullivan. the owner OF the premises.
testified that ne rented the store 10 the prisoner
Tor $50 month and tnat ne was remiss IN paying
his rent.
Mr.. stewart opened the case for ;he defence
and called tine woman VINO went into the store TO
purchase a pail OF coal on the night OF the nre
with her. locked the door, gave ner tue coal rom
the BIN outside ana proceeded down the street
with his Trend.
Tne gasfitter Who put 10 the gas pipes last Au-
gust testified that ne out q Jet from the ceiling,
winch reached very close 70 the counter.
The case will be concluded TO-DAY.