The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-09-25
THE GOMERSALL TRAGEDY.

JOSEPH KoERNER HELD BY THE CORONER ON
THE VERDICT OF THE JURY, WHICH CHARGES
HIM WITH MURDER.
AT the Court House In Newark Coroner Vreeland
held inquest in the of Clarence ". Gomersall,
the shocking manner OF whose death described IN
the HERALD yesterday.
Officer Moss0acker, who was at the scene of the
tragedy lew minutes after Its enactment, and TO
whom Koerner, the alleged murderer, first mado q
statement testified as follows:-
vas standing Ferry street, near Ferguson, on
Sunday morning; walked down toward Frederick
street; found citizen with club his hand rappiDg
asked him what he was rapping for; he said he had
shot man his house at No. 63 Magazine street; he
thought that the man was burglar; he added, "i
guess have killed him ;,'he said he did not know
how the got In there. he had closed saloon
ut eleven O'Clock and locked all tho doors said no
found them locked when he came out; he spoke part
In German and part ID English; ne said there
had Deen a loaor banging around ats house
for two or three nights and he thought II might 30
HIM witness went NJ on the second floor, and, the
entry, found u man lying with his head against the
raDg he had wound OH tho right side OF his head !;
he was breathing heavily Koorner's wife was standing
IN The doorway; she brought a light from the middle
room; Kocrner looked at the man and SAID, ~ bet
that's that oaer;' Mrs. Kocrner exclaimed. "My GOD
my Godi what have you donc?" witness told Koerner
that would have to dress go along with him he
took koerner to the station house and aiterwurd
brought Mrs. kocrner there; MIS- kOerner said TO WIZ
that she did not know who the man was found
pillow and comfortable in the par0r II
some had been sleeping there; koerner also told
witness that the man mad struck at him before he
shot
DR.. Ward described the fatal wound. He testified
that DR.. O'Gorman and he held post morton exami-
nation OF the body OF deceased, at Brant Woodruff
Morguc, Sunday afternoon; the convolutions Of
the been opened and carried away the shot
was found scattered through the brain they arrived
at the opinion that Gomersall was crouch ng down
tho hallway and was shot rom behind by the
OFFICERS TESTIMONY.
Oficcr John j. VreelaDd, doorman nt the First pre-
cInct testified that he nad conversation with kerncr
told him that II pretty serious offence Kerner
Piled that the mans anlt; he said he locked
up his saoon about eleven O'Clock and went to bed
with his wife; he Was awakened ny his dog barking
and bearing noise outside his door, he called
out twice who's thcre?" ho got no aud got
out OF bed; he the door coming IN II some
was pushing II; koerncr SAID he pushed against
stronger than he; he then grabbed his
gun and shot at the man, thinking that he bur-
glar witness was then called out into tho station
house; next spoke TO Mr.. koerner after Gomersa
dead told koerner his man dead and ho replied,
at was bis FAULT, and then said nothing more
when witness locked Mrs koerner up In the witness
room she very much excited ana was wringing her
hands she said u was the mans fault as ne had no
business TO climb in the window and did not answer
when her husband called TO her; there war lime
right knee OF Mr.. Gomersals pants, as II he had
rubbed his knee up against the wall.
VERDICT.
The jury after shor, deberation rendered tho fol-
lowing verdict :-"We ind that Clarence w. Gomersa
came TO his death at Newark the 23d day OF sep.
TENDER, A. u. 1871 from tho effects OF gunshot
woun deceived al the hands OF Joseph Kocrner, and
that said Joseph Kocrner Is guilty OF murder.''