New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-09-25
TIE MURDERED BROKER.


KERNER HELD FOR KILLING GoMERsALL'
HOW THE CRIME WAS PROBABLY ACCOMPLISHED
TESTIMONY BEFORE THE CoRoNERs JURY.
A Coroner's Jury yesterday investigated the
shooting of Clarence w. Gomersal by Joseph kerner OF
Newark and upon the testimony held Kerner for muir
der Kerner by instruction Of his counsel refused 10
make any statement in regard to tho shooting his VIE
also declined to say anything Mrs kerner Is COARSE
fat German woman apparently thrtyye years of age,
with blue eyes and laxen hair, and broad lace
The theory held by the neghbors and the police Ia that
Gomersal was paying Mrs Kerner visit, when kerner
returned unexpectedly, and closed his saloon before
GOmersall had tnto escape. Mrs Kerner hid her VS.
itor in the front room, and about one O'Clock sunday
morning he attempted 10 leave the house, Dut alarmed
the dogs whose barking quickly awoke their master
Kerner it is supposed, first Knocked the INTRUDER now"
with the policemans club-with which he ater"aru
summoned asssance-and then shot him. believing that
the story that mistook him for burglar would clear
him from punishment 1t was well known in the neigh
borhood that Kerner very Jealous Of Gomersa ana
it was affirmed that he had been heard to threaten 10
shoot him.
Coroner vreeland held the examination yesterday AFTER
noon IN the Essex County Court House. Samuel Kalisch
counsel for the prisoner, and e. n Abeel repre-
Officer Moses Mossbacker related the story Of the
hs beat ne herd light rap At Ferry aud Ferguson
sts he found Kerner kerner said ne n4d sn Tso,a
he thought was burglar. He guessed ne h9I
killed him. lie said that he had closed tn, saloon az
asked how the supposed burglar got H. kerner ma re-
piled that's what bothers me-" Afterward ne tou TUE
officer that loungrr had beer hanging apouI MS Pico
for several DAYS. he thought this was the man. Ihs
conversation place while they were hurryng to TIE
p pTass former sSyns w" bet that's that oaer His
wife, who was standing IN the doorway on the h,dais
WHAT what he has donei" The witness told Kerner TO
put his coat and como with MN, ana sent
far
time did either husband or wife mention the
them The bed in the back room appeared 10 nave pen
used by Krner and wife there no indications
OF the front room having been occupied by anybody He
did not touch the BODY believing TO De Deyohu SUI
eical aid aud did not the face On the way 10 tue
police station Kener stated that ne mad been awakened
by the barking of his dogs, and hearing noise III tne
hall had called out twice "WhO Is there y lie then
went to the door aud opened it, when some one IN the
darkness OF the hall struck him, upon which he imme-
breech loading rife and had been charged with BIRD
shot Mrs Kerner told the officer the same story as ner
husband adding that the man had answered. nc proo
ably would not have been killed.
County Physician Luke d. Ward testified that the only
sign OF violence upon toe body was wound on te heu
three ana Ouea by two and oneaf inches III SIZE Ine
scalp bone, muscle and brain menDfane "1Is an t ear
rcd away. lefving the brains prOfuuIIs lHo I1 ~
strongly IN favor of the wound having Deeh
Dr. r. A. o born stated that he was called after
b, police officer and taken 20 the scene OF tue
murder Upon entering the house, he lgnnd Two steps 30
covered with blood that III was, uImca,t 20 eet
no stars. tOmersau found lying ON MS face, a
llttle MCuhcu 10 lhS Tlsdt thc pioo" ooNiiE
wound. He UNCONSCIOUS, win pale face ana weak
pulse, and evidently dying After MAKING easuI
examination, DR.. Osborn became satisfied that ne was
past medical aid Inc witness felt sure he had been sAot
after failing.
Sergeant Robert Wyman testified that he was present
with d. OSBORN at The house. When the latter turned
the dying mau partly and his face was d.sciosed
MIS-. Kcrner suddenly cried out My Cod, rs Com
,isall"
After hearing this testimony, the jury withdrew, and
soon returned with the following verdict: We iDd that
Clarence W. GOmcrsa came to ns death III Newark on
th 22d day or Septemb r. the effects of gunsnot
received the hands OF Joseph kerner ana tha
said Joseph Kerner is guilty Of murder"
Kerner recOmmttd without BAH, TO await the ac-
ton of the CIR nd jury which will probably indict MN
for murder tO-iiay, as 1t Is now IN ion.
Theodore T. Eade, the partner OF Dir. G0nersau IN
their brokerage business ut No. 81 Wall st. stated yester
day tat nothing OF MS partners character De-
Ond tue iact Of MS being cOnScientlO, auh sfasnt
forward business Mr. GOmersau was married and
mad TWO children