West Feliciana sentinel. (St. Francisville, La.) 1876-1877, 1877-03-17
A PRIEST SURPRISES THE LAW
YERS.

very dramatic ending Tuesda
week. Mr.. James NJ. Brann, Coun
ty CLERK, brother of the Rev. DR.
Brann, an eminent Catholic clor-
gyman, had been On trial for som
days for the alleged publication ant
distribution of a lihellous circular
attacking Publisher Malone of th,
Jersey City Argus. The publica-
ton was denied, and the argunen
for the defence had opened, wher
Rev. DR.. Bcann. attended b,
Charles O'Conor, burst into tears
and. at the close of the argument, ,
excitedly asked to be called as a
witness for the defense. This caus-
ed sensation, and the judge sug-
gested that the clergyman retire
for consultation with his brothers,
counsel DR.. Branu consented to
this, after some urging. but soon
appeared in the courtroom, again
persisiing in his demand to testify ;
the counsel for the defense rose to
formally protest, wien DR.. Brann
stopped him, saying, mo man shall
prevent mel"
The Reverend witness then said
that he alone was the author OF
the libellous publication, being NOV
ed thereto by love for his brother,
who was represented by Mul!one's
ARGUS newspaper as a disreputable
character. When the newspaper
story came out, DR.. Brann went
over to Jersey City to inquire about
it, and, finding his aged mother
frantic with grief, and his sister
wild with passion, he wrote the
circular in defence of his brother,
and had it printed in New York.
Dr.. Brann said that his brother had
educated him, and he could not see
him tra9uced, but added that the
against Mu!lone was
disgrace to the country He then
said that he was willing to suffer
he full penalty for his offence. OF
which his brother was entirely ig-
asked Mullone's foregivness
Ind proposed that the Court pro-
iced to sentence. By this time a
great part of the audience were in
ears, and the judge postponed the
'ase to digest these unexpected de-
'elopments.
Mex: day, the plaintiffs counsel
tated that Mr.. Mullonc being now
atsfed OF the authorship, aud that
II purposes having been served,
C had no desire to press the matter
nrther. He had no revengeful
ceilings against the defendant, and
'as fully convinced that he was
OF responsible for tho act com
lained o..
District Attorney Garretson
lated that, On the part Of the State,
e was fully satisfied that the pub
C interests wonld not be placed in
|
by allowing the case to
'st at that stage and be disposed Of
= the Court. .
Mr.. Collins, at the express de.
re of the defendant, disavowed
le circular and everything con-
lined in it, the defendant having a
, malicious feelings againgst Mr.. c
.ullone. c
The Judge directed a verdict Of ;
'quital; but the jury, after being G
1T two hours. wanted to know i! \
+. Brapn's confession did not nec- I
>arily subject certain witnesses Il
+ the Safe TO charges of perjury. +
n being told that that was bevund h
cir provence, the jury instantly f
turned verdict Of Mot Guilty:' [
rush was made for County Clerk II
ann, and congratulations were C
owercd upon him till he was un- Il
lie to contain himself. 1t seemed il
if every person in the court sym"
thiz d with him. Every judge on
e bench uttered SIGH of rel,ei,
e court officers rushed around in W