New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-24
SCANNELL'S TRIAL.
UNEXPECTED NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. As TO Ill
DEATH OF FLORENCE sCANNELL AND IFS EffEC

SCANNELL'S TRIAL.
IryExrFCrEp CEIERIrY-TEsrIMoNY AS TO THE
DEATH OF FLORENCE sCANNELL AND IFS EFFECT
on HIS BROTHER
The trial of John Scanncll for murder before
Judge Barrett. In the Court OF oyer ana 1crhner' pro
ceeded yesterday with unexpected rapidly Inc 'es
mony OF Deputy Coroner Marsh rs to the WOUNDS which
caused death was short and closed he testimony for the
prosecution The opening for the defense was brei
The rest OF the morning session was given TO tcs-
timony as TO the ARRAY in which Florence scan
nell, the prisoners brother, was shot ny Dohahue'
The afternoon session occupied by testimony rs 10
John scannes changed and eccentric behavior after MS
brother was shot At sig O'Clock two three witnesses
were called by the defense to strengthen tins last point
but did not answer Judge Barrett adjourned the court
issuing attachments against the witnesses VINO had
failed TO appear. Nj. Beach stated that he hoped 70
close his case by to-day The following is the sub
stance OF the proceedings:
Edward T. T. Marsh, Deputy Coroner, FOUND hVe
wounds in Donahue caused by three pistol balls. and an
encysed bullet of old date in his body Donahues death
was caused by the recent wounds III the head ms
closed the case for the prosecution.
Mr. Spencer in opening the tor the defense went
back to the time of shooting of Florence seanne III
1860 Florence scannell he said, a leading poll
tician and much loved Ivy his brother He was eand-
date against the Ring of that time. Elections
we're controlled by repeaters, and Donahus place
was a resort Of such men On registration
saloon and Donshue, without proyoCation or ex-
cuse. shot Florence scanne in the back inilcing
on him lingering death Yet no punishment could
be inflicted on Donohue. He WAS held to
bail, aud it two years before a grand jury
could be found TO iudct for what was undoubtedly
murder All this worked Scannells MIND driving aim
10 frenzy might not have produced tie later tragedy
but for Donohues bold challenge to scanne at the pool
room 10 come on Mr. Spencer claimed that that chal-
lence from habituay armed and reckless Jusilhed
scanne aside from any question Of lunacy IN shooung
DonOhue.
William Ainsley testified tina he went with Florence
scannell end John into Donohue's saloon on the day
that Florence was Shot there three four others
with them; when they won't in DonOhue' opening IL
drawer took pistol and put it in his POCKET and Kept
his hand on il all the time Florence was leaning with
his back against the bar, smiling, and Donohue came
behind him and put the pistol right against hs
side and shot him, without any notice or provo
cation; there were two pistolshOis. ana
Donohue shot himself accidentally in The arm;
Nicholas HaughtOn testified that he was IN The city when
Florence scannel shot lie went 10 Jefferson Market
at the request Of Mr. Donouc, and got his pistol and
some memoranda from HIM, he being at the time locked
M; il was a small four-bareled pistol. Thomas BJohn-
sor the keeper of poolroom, testified TO his &C
quaintance with Florence and John ScanDe Their gc'
love FOR each other the frequent visits OF John % bis
pool-room. The court then took II recess
After recess, Michael Pagan, who was connected with
John Seanneli Keeping the Compton House testified
that he was Al Johusons poorcom on the night when
Donohue was shot He heard DJn0hue, just before the
shooting shout out Come On, John" scanneli was
near by, and Donohue looking toward scanncil.
Donouc then had bis hand IN lis pocket Ihe Witness
knew OF John ScanuelIs Strong ATTACHMENT 10 MS
brother Before the shooting of Florence, Jolm was
pleasant after that he was dOWncas restless, utcf-
inG, aud sefcominuning' altGs, er different nom us
habits. Witness iaC iOudd ann udts htifc 10
business once after Fi0rcuce's funeral, he n'er-
ruptod conversation by asking hh"ul ioip,t'' Iur
Florence, though Florence had already a monument
mild.
talking with john Scmcl, he suddenly found him Ciy-
ns: Syannel day excused himself, but whcneNe
came this matter he appeared crHs, dwelns ON
the idea OF getting satifacIon for toe Hllug OI MS
He tInacdtcG, ANA NlintsS tnOuSht MN
crazy on this subject John HCnessY, who wa present
ut shooting DOnohue testified to DOnonue Gaining
out, on JOIN" as witness thOlshl 70 NSihueu'
strong affection between John and Florence Scauntil,
and 10 the great change OF Joan scanneAs APPEARING"
after Florence was s4Ot-hs emacidtlUn, ms apparent
physical weakness, hS ra@SJfd lOOk ana MS Want 90
nOllcc Of familiar ODjec,s unless his attention was
| specially aIOGscd -,
Ioin H. RpDnson testified TO great change in John
Sulnnell after hs brothers DEATH announcing 70 neglect
lbs business at tho Compton iiGu. iO bthhiieSS OF
his quests aud nl around lm Mr.. McRootItS an ciI-
cry gtJenau gave similar testimony ~ 10 We cAalte
in Scanucll alter his b!Olhers death James NJ Saiush
characterized lhc conduct OF Stducl amer us Dfushtr
WIS strange and irrational lie paced me moor
OF down with stupid gazt, aud grinding ms tcetl ia
the hospital where his hIJtier was 'yiny. ,
Patrick Galley gave testimony SUBSTANTIALLY 10 me
same effect Iureph r. Red testified thai, on vIslt 10
his house. Scaune excessively restless ana greatly
caIuged from bis habts at IN Garner period Wines
wandering over the house, on one occasion Do said To-
witness, cant home: they want 10 mdidtr me-
on another. -" cant tlccp; every time - 10 step
Floury comes me- Tue Count then auJVuiiiod