New-York tribune., 1878-10-16
THE HIGHLANDS TRAGEDY.
AN OLD MANS CRIME-URIAL OF GEORGE FRANK
LYN FOR THE MURDER or PETER FINLEY.
EprRunIn N ! OF 1H-Yestnrhnv wns the

AN OLD MANS CRIME-TRIAL OF GEORGE FRANK
LYN FOR THE MURDER or PETER FINLEY.
FREEHOLD, NJ j., Ot.15.-Yesterday was the
opening day of of George FrankyG, sixty
niDe for the murder Of Peter Finley The murder oc-
CURED at Jenkusons Hotcat the summer OF the
Hghiandsor Navesink between Long Branch and Sandy
Hook re night OF July 8. For atrocity it exceeds
any crime perpetrated IN Monmouth County since
Donuelly murdered Moses at the Highland Hotel. in
1854 Franklyn a carver at the hotel where the
tragedy occurred. Finley there doing paint
ing
Seldom has such crowd cOOgregated in the court
room Of Freehold that which gathered there this
morning. Judge scudder presided, assisted by justices
Wheeler and Remsen. Attorney General John p Stock
ton appeared for the State assisted by Public Prosecutor
LannUg. Frapklyn was assigned H. NJ. Neyns as coun,
sell by the Court Mr. Lanning in his opennE occupied
about ten mnuies, ami during his remarks the aged
prisoner wept aloud aud shook with emotion
Ihe first witness called was Charies LORD, the
Finley and Franklyn quarrellng. He saw that Franh-
lyn wanted to create disturbance and told the paint
to 20 Saw EranKlyn follow Finley out, saying II
must, must" Saw him pull out the knife and thrust 1t
yn lightly the face, but 1t not blow or done III
anger, John Read. Vim. X. Smith, George Clayton and
Abcri HgrrIs aIl boatIpen at the Highlands testified
substantially the Lord to the account of the ki
iug Elias Stlliman (cOored) testified 10 seeing
he Ehuo t,ce nsy t%n sceue of tne mnr5rr
JEFF COtirell boatman, testified TO the finding o. the
knife ON the ON OF July. James Jenklnson' Sr esuea
that there was a quarrel between hun and Franklyn.
Drs. Chambers and Patterson testified TO the nature
OF the wounds which Finley received There were three
wounds, two Of which were fatal.
The murderer who mas remained impenetrable 10 any
sorrow regret for mis- crime since he committed H.
broke down several tunes to-day during the taking of
testimony. When the accused was sworn III his own be-
sli aud called TO the wltnessstdud scene took place
The feobe old uian tOtGered 10 the char. sODbing
aloud as # his heart would break. His emo
tiOn was so strong that he sho0k IKE lear
aud his testimony for while lncOherrnt. All the
held their hauQkerchics to their
ana their sObs mingled win those OF tiahkbh' stNr
raj pairs of mOstened ewes were noticed IA the JufyOuN
aud much sympathy seemed 70 be felt iOI the uniOrtu-
the nrst witness called to-day was Mrs Lottie scud-
der, of brooklyn. she IA her carriage at the foot
Of JrukinsOnS Hlll when she saw Finley ana tranky
apparently wrang ing. Finley slapped Franklyn IN the
face and Immediately the old man drew a knife aud
struck the painter several times with IT. witness saw
bm strike the young man as he tried 10 fly 10 little
hfidge which is about 100 om the place where the
assault occurred. Alter Franklin stabbed Finley
no wiped ms KNIFE threw II up toward the hill. and
coo ~ walked away. James W. Hendrlckson testified
10 quarrel between Ffaukyn and Finley in the Kitchen
OF ,ukinsOn's Hotel, the afternoon OF the murder
witness swOre TO hearing Franklyn tell Finley that nc
yUould cut his id heart Out II be didut leave him
ot0ne For the defence, James Jenknson, r testified
10 employing FIuey TO do some painting Ihe deceased
told witness that fFanklyn called him tramp"
do "A heat and other offensive names Finley was
slightly Intoxicated on the day OF the murder. told
IN raTry The mans clothes INT in teal
ne threw tn III behind n bulkhead. Mr. Sunmerville OF
New-York, saw Finley stflke hrankyn when the later
The ur sOner, George Frdnklyn next SWORD In his
own behalf His sloTY OF the murder substantially
the the other VI Illnesses only he said Finley
threatened hlm several times, and struck hm
three hard blows the face. " The young
man was ON athlete, and strong" said Frankyu,
'and fearing going to do bodily HARM pulled
my carving knife aud cut hun. His killing acct
dental. had no anup1thy against young Finley. We
were always friends, and aid not wish TO xiii hun.
When pulled the kulfe 4 thought TO cut him on the
arm haud 10 d.sable nun, aud thus prevent him
fruw dong me harm. VIII DC seventy years oid on the
"a al December next" The crOsseXamiuatOn failed To
break down the prisoners story.
Public Prosecutor Lannng then opened for the State.
He took up fifteen minutes with bis argument he de-
maudod verdict OF murder IN the hIst degree. Ill. NJ
Neylpg for the defence, then began summing up, and
had lot finished when tine court adjourned. Attorney
General Stockton will close for tine prusecuuon probably
by Tomorrow afternoon, when Judge sCudder VIII
charge and the VIII 20 To the jury. verdict OF
granddaughter is ali that L. expected.