The New York herald., 1876-09-19
THE COURTS.
Fatal Results Of Domestic
Trouble.
Trial OF James DOdwell for Kill
ing His Wife.
Motion for Change Of Venue in
the Moulton-Beecher Suit.
The Merits of the Case To Be Argued
ON Thursday.

named James Dodwoll, apparently about
sixty years old placed at the bar in tho Court of
General Sessions, Part l. yesterday, before Recorder
Hackett, charged with murder the first degree, in
having slain his wc, Mary Dodwel, at No. 4l4 East
Ninth street, the 27th of May last Considerable
lime occupied in cmpaneng the jury, which was
completed shortly before two o'clock Tho court room
crowded. and from the somewhat obscure nature of
the deed great deal ntcrcs, seemed to be mani
tested In the proceedings. Assistant District
Attorney Bell appeared on the rart OF tho
prosecution, tho prisoner being defended by
Mr. W. !. Howe. In opening the cnsc Mr. Bell
rated tho facts which he proposed 10 prove lc said
The prisoner had lived with his wife at shc house
where the murder had occurred. The deceased, who
nad been strictly sober and honest woman, carried
the laundry business, and by hard work had saved
mp little money-somc s5O0-to provide Tor her
wants when old age should upon her. The
fused laoorer and worked very rrcgu,ary, being
much addicted 10 drinking, and when INTOXICATED
IN tho habit of beating and abusing his wie. on
The morning OF the 9Th OF May he was seen by Mrs
roole OF the inmates OF the house, 20 into tho
street. and later on to return without either hat
hnd holding a sponge TO his throat AZ about soyen
O'Clock in the morning sho sent her little boy search
Of u match. The boy entered Dodwels room and
him seated there lie gave the boy the matches
Wit out however, making any remark whatever. Half
IN hour later he went to the room of Mrs. Narln.
hc same floor but she not being up at tnat time no
lold her daughter, Mrs Kennedy, that he desired to
her AT O'Clock ho VISITED the apartments Of
Mrs Wallace, stating that he wanted 10 see her. She
Immediately went to Dodwel's room. when she saw
HIM with sponge TO his throat when he remarked,
"Do you know what happened 10 usy They broke
last night and nearly murdered us but she tpolnting
to his wiic Is worse. she ls dying.n Mrs. Wallace
ran out immediately and, procuring DOCTOR sum
moncd the police Mrs. Dodwcll was discovered pros
lratc on the floor with her skull fractured and
her clothes torn in shreds. She survived
some time, although entirely unconscious The
door was covered with STAINS o blood
and quantity OF blood and co,tcd hair
was found IN a pail, while under the bed
discovered Dodweli's clothes also covered with blood
Mrs. Dodwcll was removed TO Bellevue Hospital and
died tho day Dodwcll was also conveyed to tho
same institution and placed under surveillance Upon
being questioned Dodwell denied that ho bad any
money, but IN lew days IL was ascertancd that ho
had IN his possession the sum OF fll5, which he at
tempted hand over To relative while visiting him.
The sum OF 50 IL was also found his person. EvI-
dcnco would be adduccd TO show that three tour
days before tho murder he had applied
10 his vile for 800 purchase a horse
and wagon, which request was denied. The
police entirely disbcicvcd the theory that burglars
hau entered the premises or inflicted any injury on
Tie deceased, but entertained the impression that fail
Ing to Obtain the money from his he took /,
orciby and with such violence to cause her DEATH
1hc opinion also prevailed tha in order his
guilt end a look OF probability his story that the
house had been entered by burglars he cut his throat
A saw hatchct and u shovel, all stained with blood,
appear that Dodwcll had threatened his wiie some
Tine before, and altogether toe circumstances pointed
TO his guilt Unhappy relations prevailed between tho
prisoner and his wife for years, to ms desire
obtain her bank book. The first Witness Mrs Martin,
testified that the nj ht before the she heard
Mrs. Dowdcll express her at tho continued
drunkenness. Toe hearing OF the was adjourned
until this morning.