The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-12
COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS
Before Judge Glldersleeve,
A WITNESS AT THE STOKES TRIAL SENT TO STATE
PRISON

Thomas Casey, coach driver, aged twenty-five
years who lived at No 523 West Twenty sixth street,
was tried and convicted OF larceny from the person in
tho night time, whereupou he sentenced to
finement in the State Prison for of eight and
one-hsH years. The indictment charged that on the
night of October 16, while James Mitchell and Archie
Smith were walking along Seventh avenue, near
Twenty.seventh street, they rudely josled by
gang OF young loafers vicinity that
after the ostling Mitchell found his watch and chain
had disappeared His companion, Smith, gave chase
the young men, and succeeded in catching Casey, whom
he gave into the custody OF officer Both Mitchell and
Smith on the professed thoir inability Identity
the prisoner one OF those who jostled them, al
though Smith had In his examination before the police
magistrate positively identified Casey OF the
gang. Mitchell testified that his watch had been
turned by the wife Of the prisoner and Edward Rey-
nolds companion OF the latter testified that Casey
innocent, that he (Reynods) had one OF tho
gang snatch the watch from Mr. Mtohell's pocket, and
that finding Casey imprisoned FOR the crime, he had
gone 10 the real thief and by threatening 10 inform
The police Of tho matter had induced him give up
the stolen property which Reynolds thereupon handed
to Mrs. CASEY, who delivered II to the owner. These
statements were displayed TO the jury in
Counsel for the prisoner did not deny that his
client had led bad life but claimed that had for
time been leading an honest life, and that he was
innocent OF the charge, having been IN the neghbor
hood where the robbery committed by mere
chance The jury evidently did believe the explain
alton Tor atcr half an hours elaboration they rem
dered a verdict OF guilty" District Attorney Phelps
who was present during the trial. then Informed tho
Court that the prisoner had been four times nj the bar
under different aliases. He had given the name of
James Brennan and Of James Wright the latter indeed
| being the name under which he was now indicted He
had also appeared in the Stokes trial. whom he had at
tempted to mpeach the testimony OF the Hart brothers
by statements which found 10 DO absolutely false.
He had then been recognized an escaped Penlten-
tlary prisoner and was returned TO that institution
These ACTS stated by Mr.. Phelps to prevent tho
Court IRON dealing lightly with the prisoner
Judge Gilderseeve, in passing sentence said he
could see reason Why the prisoner should not re-
ceive the heaviest penalty OF tho law He believed the
verdict was Just one. The prisoner was however,
young and might perhaps servo out his sentence and
/ return to society better man. This no sincerely
hoped would be the case When the verdict was an
nounced the unfortunate wife OF the prisoner, very
small and young woman with very large baby in her
arms went into mysteries and her hcarbreakng cries
I echoed throughout the building
When Casey had boon removed Assistant District At
torney ROLLINS requested tho Court to order the witness
Archie Smith into custody I'LL he should explain the
suspicious variance his testimony The request was
granted but the prisoner subsequently released
! bis own reco9nizance.
A MEDICAL SNEAK THIEF.
Dr. Edward Weston, alias Dr. Brown, sneak thief
against whom three separate indictments pending
pleaded guilty and sentenced to hard labor
In state Prison for Eve years On the 1lth OF Decem.
Der he hired from Mr.. Allen, who keeps board
ing house No $50 Seventh avenue stating that he
had lust arrived from England and that his baggage
would not arrive at the house till the following day.
He retired to bis room that night and failing to appear
/
found that he bad carried of quantity OF clothing
belonging TO Mr. William Angelo, boarder In thc
house That gentleman wont TO Police Headquarters
whore he pointed out The photograph Of Dr. Weston IL
tho Rogues' Gallery. He AFTER arrested anC
/ disposed Of yesterday, as stated above.
| AN UNcRATErUL DOMESTIC.
Della Davis middle aged domestic pleaded guilty t
tho theft OF shawl worth $50 nom her mistress, Mrs
Mary A. Plunkett OF No As East FifIy.second street
who had relieved tho necessities OF tho prisoner pro
/ yfda her wi a IA ead
needed IT, In consideration OF the ngrattude dlsplaye
! the Court made the sentence somewhat heayy-thro
years in State Prison
A PICKPoCKEr PLEADS
! Henry Nelson, aged eighteen, who lived at No 80
Pearl street, admitted that tho 2eth Of December III
stole 81 60 from the overcoat pocket or Felix G. z
Efray, OF No. % Fast Ninety-lourlh street He Wal
| sent 10 state Prison for one year