The New York herald., 1876-11-16
GENERAL SESSIONS-PART !
Before Recorder Hackctt.

THE FARRELL HOMICIDE CASE.
The entire DAY in this occupied in the
animation or witnesses in the OF The People
against John Taec charged with killing John Farrell
OF No. 5l9 West Twenty-eghih street, on April 10
1876 The principal witnesses were the prisoner and
his wife. Alter the prosecut onhad rested the for
the defence opened by Mr.. Richard Busted, Jr.,
after which the prisoner, John Taee placed tho
stand and testified that he in his when
Thomas Farrell came in abused him and then started
down stairs; John Farrell, Jr., then came in and
struck him; a fight cnsued and he dragged into
the hail; his WHO got him away from tho boys. and
he went back into his room, shutting the door
behind him and leaving his wife in tho
hail. he did not lock the door, but being afraid OF
his life went into his bedroom, took pistol from his
trunk and went the door because he heard people
cursng outside he opened the door ana his vile
standing In front Of him he could not who was
cursng; did not any except Miss Farrell, his
wife ana John Patchen; Thomas Farrell might have
been the STAIRS tho pistol was accidentally dis
charged not aimed any one his wife pushed him
back into the and closed the door after him. she
remained in the hall; moment alter he opened the
door again anu she said, "Tuey arc ali gone soon
alter she told him John Farrell was shot,
Mrs Rose Tactic, wife OF the accused, the next
witness She testified that on the morning OF the
shooting she witnessed the commencement OF the dis
turbance; her husband was Oh q lounge reading
paper when Johu Farrell passed the door; Thomas
came along just after him; the door oi the
open; the two looked toward the prisoner,
Thomas making OF violent language; witness
asked them 90 down stairs; prisoner was "talking
bnck :: Thomas chscng ged him TO 60 down stairs and
fight; John Farrell, Jr., then came into the and
struck the prisoner; Thomas Joined IN and dragged
him the staircase and was abou, to throw him down
whom Miss Farrell up and assisted In separating
them; the prisoner bleeding freely from his lace
and nose: Thomas ran to the second landing and John
stairs and mot his athcr coming up; witness
pushed the prisoner into his and closed tho
door; a moment after the door was opened and the
exclaimed .'oh joint" did not him lit his
hand present pistol at any SON. when the shot
fred Mr. Farrell had tdrned to 20 down stairs and
Mary Farrell was one step below, when the witness
heard a and cry that Mr.. Farrell was shot;
witness then went into tho room with the prisoner,
aud then went down stairs TO see II the report was
true met at the loot Of the stairs by Thomas Far
rc who had KNIFE IN his hand; he chased witnoss
into the yard. who afterward got back to tho
where Mr.. Farrell lays his wife told witness not TO
in but to 30 up stars before the policeman ar
rived prisoner had washed his TACO hands witness
had pistol on the table, and put II IN the bed
room, between tho mattresses
On cross-examinaton the witness testified that after
the tight, and after tho prisoner had gone into his
room, there no cursing the landing where sho
was but thero some loud talk on the stairs below
Walter Higgins furnace builder, of Brooklyn, testi-
fed TO the good character OF the prisoner
officer Horace Gaylcr, Twentieth precinct, testified
In regard 10 the general reputation OF Thomas and
John Joseph Farrell. lie said that they were known
hard characters On crossexamination the witness
stated that many people had told him
Recorder Hackett-What person or persons told you
Give the names and the times aui the places
Witness-One man spoke to me this morning.
Recorder Hnckcit-l want to know the name OF one
man who told you about their character before this
affair took placey
wtncss-I could not tell their now.
Recorder Hackett-I don't believe you could. Isn't
1t very surprising that your memory is so shoriS
District Attorney BELL Before you came i'sra did
any speak TO you about this casey
Wtncss--Yes, sir
Question--who was itt One OF the counsels
Wtness--Ycs. SIR. Mr.. Bustced.
District Attorncy-That is ALL SIR
Mr.. Busteed thcrcupon attempted 10 explain why he
had spoken the witness and what said, but was
told uy the Recorder that he had held prominent
position on the bench himself, and knew that to hold
converse with the witness about the was wrong
ana unprofessona. The evidence being ali IN the
Court adjourned until eleven A. N. to-day.