National Republican., 1875-07-03

The courthouse was tolersbly well filled yestsr-
day during the trial Of Charles Stephenson, in
dcted for the murder Of Cornelius Shea on the 17th
of May last.
Mr.. Campbell Darlington opened the case for
the Government, stating that on the 18th ef May
last a worthy citizen was murdered, and here sits
the widow, broken hearted with the fatherless
children Of the victim. Mr.. Darlington then said
that they expected to make out Q case Of murder,
and recited the facts as the prosecution expected
to prove them. He briefly defined the law as to
%hsTtop apa ss as to In conciuainS
he said that If after the evidence for the Govern
ment is in they md that the charge OF murder or
he be acquitted. They, however, expected TO
show that this was q case OF murder, and IL the
evidence sustained their theory they would strain
tion Of the sentence.
The witnesses (eight for the Government and
twenty for defense) were called and sent from
The defense reserved their opening.
THE TESTIMONY.
The first witness called was John Boherty who
testified that he had known the deceased for sew
era IiSb oS Nav a az tbs sne stSs. oa sSe
drst named, corner Of Third and L streets. Shea
and witness on that afternoon went to see party
Quently they returned to the store, where Brown
was, and while Shea was drawing up receipt
Stevenson made some remark to which Shea re-
piled by asking If he (Stevenson) was renting the
house. Stevenson then told Brown that he
would get the worst Of It. Shea told him to keep
his mouth out OF the business. Stevenson
Shea ordered him out and they both went out,
Brown saying that he would come back. Subse.
Quently Stevenson come In the store and asked
for ten cents worth Of crackers, which Shea re-
fused to sell him, and again ordered him out
Some one said Stevenson ought 70 be ar.
lowed; saw the latter strike or shove at some
thing; thinks this was before the first shot was
Su iOss sight Of shea them and ' witness went out
heard three shots fired in quick succession, and
just as be (witness) got on the pavement Shea
had both arms tied up the next day. Witness de-
scribed Shea as o man about thirty five, low
sized, medium stout, abou4the same size Of the
prisoner, but perhaps heavier: Cross.examined:
The store was q grocery and liquor store with
bar.room at the rear, with door to the latter on
Of the customers were coiored people; Shea drank
sometimes; saw him take two glasses OF beer on
the night of the occurrence: don't think be was
drunk that night; he was to q certain extent
under the influence Of liquor, but witness re-
garded him as being perfectly sober; when Shea
ordered Stevenson out he appeared excited; he
used no violence, but appeared as If he was going
DR.. johnson Elliott sworn Witness testified
that be was called upon to see the deceased on
the night Of the 18th OF May; found three bullet
wounds, ono on the right arm below the shoulder,
one In the left elbow joint and one In the abdomen
below and to the right Of the naval. The imme-
dlate cause of his death was the wound In the ab-
serious wounds.
Cross-examined: The direction of the ball In
the abdomen was slightly downward. Shea was
rather larger than the prisoner, and would weigh
100 to 10 pounds.
DR.. ]. +. Hsrtigan sworn, testified that he made
the post mortem examination, and he described
the wounds; that in the abdomen being the cause
Of death.
Cross-examined: This wound was not neces-
sarily o mortal wound.
DIR. Elliott recalled Under favorable condi-
tioDs as to temperature, &C., the wound would
not have proved fatal, for none Of the vital organs
were involved. On the Saturday after the occur
renee be entertained some hopes Of the patients
recovery. He had all attention that could be
given, but the exceedingly warm weather Of the
following Sunday may have hastened his death.
The court ct this point took