The New York herald., 1876-03-16
THE NEW ROCHELLE TRAGEDY
TRIAL OF RICHARD HANNA, AT WHITE PLAINS,
FOR THE KILLING OF THOMAS WHITE.

TRIAL OF RICHARD HANNA, AT WHITE PLAINS,
FOR THE KILLING OF THOMAS WHITE.
The trial Of Richard Hanna Jr. for the alleged will
fu murder OF Thomas White at New Rochelle was
commenced In the Court OF oyer and Terminer at
White Plains, westchester county, Justice Dykman
presiding, yesterday afternoon. About two hours were
occupied in the empaneiling OF jury, during which
process counsel for the prisoner asked seven cxcep
tons be noted that being the number Of peremptory
challenges the part Of the prosecution after the
talesmen had apparently in all respects demonstrated
themselves fully qualified 10 as jurors The
Court more than deprecated the course OF the
prosecuting counsel In peremptorily challenging man
who had sworn that his mind was perfectly free from
bias and who had also that he could pass upon
the guilt ofhe prisoner solely the evi
dence to bo adduced The 70. the people was con-
Quoted BY Nelson H. Baker, Acting District Attorney;
Charles W. Brooke, OF New York appearing Tor the
defence. The prisoner s ickly-looking young man
OF about twenty, whose saow complexion and sunken
eyes bctosen his dssolute character and habits HIS
prematurey aged features sign that he realized
the fact OF MS being placed on trial Tor his hfc The
room throngcd with Interested auditors
throughout tho day. Tne following testimony was
taken
Mrs Mary White widow OF tho deceased was the
her and at the suggestion OF the Court sho
was permitted 10 leave the witness stand.
BENJAMIN ID. Barter being sworn testiicd:-On the
evening OF January was at the place in New Ro-
cbcle known ''Our House, and kept then by
Thomas White, deceased; had been boarding there
for about two weeks; White was there In the
barroom that evening, where were also myself aud
three fellow workmen; there colorcd man also
there; Hanna present and outside the bar:
White behind the bar the latter told the prisoner
that II was time for HIM To go home, as he (Whue)
wanted 10 close up; the prisoner who Was IN liquor
said he was gong to stay longer and commenced TO
talk loudly IN rambling manner; the colored man,
who Lad come in with Hanna, asked him to
leave , and finally attempted to put yii him
aud the two succeeded in eJccting him; the colored
man returned Immediately, did also Hanna; the
door leading TO the street not locked at thls tme
on getting in Hanna commenced to talk again. saying
White and the colorcd man again took hold OF Hanna
and put him out second time; at this time heard
Hanna make some threat, but could not
understand what he said; alter he
heard Hanna's voice outside the door; think he said
be would blow the brains Of one; then heard
the report of gum and White stagger toward the
bar; he was caught by OF the present before
White was wounded in the back the shot fired
through hole IN the door, where the knob had
formerly been door produced and dontihed
by witnessl; heard pounding on the
hred went outside to who had done the
harm, but could soc no person around the house; af
terward went INTO Hanna's house and saw HIM come
out OF room whcro he slept he was partially
dressed this about hour alter the fired;
saw double barrclicd shotgun in the house, but
did not examine see il II loaded; did not
see Hanna have gun in his hands at any time dur
ing mat night
On examination the witness would only swear
that TO the best OF his bcict IL Hanna's voice he
heard outside ofth door He thought he could not
be mistaken in regard to this.
The case Will be resumed this morning