The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-18
WHY CONVICT BROOKS WAS SHOT.
INQUEST At BLAcKwELL's ISLAND PENITEN-
TIARY YEsTERDAY-KEEPER ADAMS EXON

r1ARY YEsTERDAY-KEEPER ADAMS EXON
GRATED AND DISCHARGED FROM CUSTODY.
Tho inquest In the case Of tho colored convict,
Charles Brooks, who shot on Monday by Keeper
Adams. was held yesterday afternoon In tho Office ON
the Pententary Biackwels Island. Coroner EIlnger,
assisted by Deputy Coroner DR.. Goldschmidt, con-
Quoted the Investigation.
The first witnesses examined were two prisoners
named John Smith and John Mccarthy, and their EVIL
dence was In substance tho They testified TINT
they saw the deceased strike Keeper Adams on the
head with a shovel, that Adams ran some distance
away followed by Brooks. who struck the keeper o
second and third time, when the latter drew his
volyer and fred. They considered that tho keeper
fired IN scli-deience.
DEPUTY WARDEN MINER EXAMINED.
Deputy Warden Miner testified that he knew the
prisoner Brooks, who had been in the prison about
month Brooks record In the Penitentiary that OF
n stubborn, violent character, who would not obey
orders; Adams draw his revolver and fire at
Brooks; fired one shot himself, but could not say
whether he fired before after Adams: at tho time
witness fred Brooks standing opposite to Adams
with his shovel raised TO strike again; Adams
struck three times, ana expected every moment to
hts head split open; Adams' lie was certainly IN
Ksrrnn ADAMS TESTIMONY
Keeper Michael Adams was then sworn and testified
that lac was IN charge OIL the gang unoauing the scow
beng assisted by two other Keepers, and Deputy
Warden Miner beng also the ground, witness
turned his back toward the scow and proceeding
TO give an order TO the when he elt himself
struck from behind; knew nothing OF any ono gong
To strike until he iet the blow he retreaed aud
struck again. struck threc times altogether; re-
treated all about hundred feet, sndeavoring all
the time got his rcvoiver witness then turned and
aicd at Brooks tho latter about TO strike tho
fourth timo; fred three shots IN oil had words
with Brooks that day, but had called Deputy
Warden Miners attention to the TACT that he
neglccting his work; had no reason Tor nriLg
except that Of saving his own hic; Brooks, he was
convinced, inten ded 10 kali him.
Warden Fox was then examined, and testified that
the keepers instructed TO protect themselves
prevent tho escape OF prisoners and to that they
do their work; witness considered Brooks danger
GUS character, ana that Keeper Adams was perfectly
entirely IN selideienco, and other open
| TO him under the circumstances
THE coHoSER's ADDRESS TO THE JURY.
AZ the conclusion 0i Warden Eox's testimony CorO-
ner Einger addressed the jury and summed up tho
evidence He said there doubt OF the fact that
Keeper Adams had 6rcd the Shots aud that the prs-
oDcr, BROOKS, died IRON the effects OF tho wounds;
but the TACT must remembered there were soino
ninety prisoners In charge OF three keepers, that
these prisoners were all supplied with shovcs or
| pickaxes, ard that ono OF them, making an
attempt TO k Keeper the thing might become con-
1 tagous and end IN general revolt Considering MI
these circumstances was for the Jury to say whether
the shots were hrod by tho officers under the mprcs-
sion that u was necessary TO Tire IN order thor
! lives aud prevent an insurrcction.
/ KEEPER ADAMS ExoSERATRD.
After a dcIiboratIon Of less than Ave minutes tho
jury handed IN verdict TO tho effect that the prisoner
Charles Brooks TO his dea by wounds iunc, cd
! by pistol shots hrcd by Keeper Adams and Deputy
Warden Miner, and that In their opinion the shots
! were fired In. seli-dciencc.
Oficer Adams was then discharged from Custody A.
J rssurned thanks 70 shs Coroner and the Jury.