The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-15
JOHNSON'S CRIME.


THE CASE OF THE MAN WHO SHOT HIS wJ1
ON BROOKLYN HEIGHTs--HE Is SAID TO H
INSANE.
The case Of the People against Charles z. johnson,
of Charles johnson, the proprietor Of the Fifth
avenue line Of stages, was called In the Brooklya
Police Court yesterday before Judge Walsh pursuant
to adjournment The defendant, 1t will be remsm-
bered was arrested December &c. 1877, for shoot
ing attempting TO kill his young wife, Florence,
at the residence of her father. Mr.. R. W. Benedict
No. 43 Monroe place, Brooklyn. The accused and his
wife had been living apart for ten days pre-.
cedng the tragioal the separation hsynG
taken place because OF the wife's inability longer u
bear the cruel treatment to- which, her relatives
claimed Dhe had been subjected at the hands OF hes
husband The latter called 1t the residence Of his
father-n-law the day named and asked to sec his
wife and their babe. He accorded an interview
with her alone In the parior whore, after few mnutes'
conversation, he drew revolver upon her. She ran
out of the room pursued by her husband who,
as she descended the basement stairs discharged one
shot at from revolver Tho bullet entered her
breast aud ganoing downward, passed out. inAic.ng
a superficial wound. The nervous shock which the
vile and mother received severe. however,
that she was unable 10 leave her bed Tor several
weeks He was arrested at the time, and Captain
Joel Smith, of the First precinct police, preferred
charge OF teonious assault against him before Judge
Walsh, who committed him Raymond Street Jail u
await examination. While in prison he received al
the comforts that wealth and influence could procure
for him under the circumstances He was arraigned
for examination two alter his Incarceration IN
Jail, but the went for hearing, the time
SCH therefor being yesterday. In the meantime,
Dr. Taimago, the attending physician OF Mrs. John
son. having certified mat she was out OF DANGER ap.
plication made IN the City Court for the admis.
SION OF Ne prisoner TO bail IN the sum OF $1,000. II
was granted and on the 2sth OF January Johnson was
rel 0ERa
care his relatives.
Is THE ACCUSED ISsAsEp
When the Was called by Judge Walsh yesterday
Councillors Charles Spencer ana William Il. Rchard-
son, appeared for the prisoner, asked for adj
their client IN the iunatic asylum and hs
would not be able TO appear before that period had
elapsed In support Of the motion several af9davits
were read OF when the following are abstracts:-
Alfred l.. Loomis III. D., deposes that he 10 the
Charles E. Johnson; that since the 2e.h day Of Dc.
cember, 1877, The health Of the said Charles john
SON has been mucn impaired ana mis- nervous system
greatly weakened and disturbed; that deponent has
ADVISED him that II necessary Tor MIN 10 to the
Hot Springs In Arkansas tor the benefit his health
and be absent for not less than six weeks
James II. Ranney, NJ. D., Edward W. Rannsys
NJ D., and Frederick h s. Drake, M. D., deposed thai
tney gave tho certificate upon winch Charles e. John.
son was committed to the Bloomingdale Lunatic Asy
lum the 28th day OF January last, and that they
fully in the views and opinion expressed By
The medical superintendent Of the BIoom,ngdals
Lunatc Asylum certified that johnson had been adj
mitted TO that institution the day above named,
and after q careful examination OF him and from
the history of has he OF opinion that he
should be kept IN the asylum for not less than six
DISTRESSED FATHERS AYYIDAvIr
Charles J. Johnson, father OF the accused, made
aidavlt that his son Charles II. Johnson was twenty
years old last November; that he married In
December. 1876 deponent heard no complaints about
the vile OF his son came 10 him and described the
behavior OF her husband expressing her Tears
that his mind was Affected and requesting dspo.
nent take him and travel with MIN tor the
benefit OF his health. Defendant sent his away
from home in company with q friend to Rchhold
Springs aud the Adirondack Mountains, and he
maine there until tue Seventh regiment, which he
OF the slrikos subsequently, the father and mother
Of the vile mr. and Mrs. Benedct) called on de.
becoming affected. Al one interview Mr.. Benedict
pressed ceponsnt the strongest terms his belief
that his son was insane, and urged him 20 nave
q medical examination made; deponents pride and
affection led him reject terrible alternative
the insanity Of his only son. He attributed the
strange conduct oil his son to tho excessive nervous
ness which deponent supposed arose from physical
dicases from which he was then suffering; deponent
believed that with tho removal OF these dificuItioa
and with restoration health ali Of complaint
would be removed since December 40 careful inquiry
has been made BY competent physicians TO ascertain
the mental condition Of his son and he has doubt
from such inquiry that his son was OF unsound mind
on The 26th DAY Of December, 1871 and is SO now
Justice Walsh said that he would not grant another
| Adjournment OF the case upon his own resp0nst-
ointy, and, alter brief consultation among counsel
proceed with the case on May L
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS CouRsR
District Attorney Catlin. IN conversation with the
writor yesterday afternoon, touching the question
TO iurther action beng taken In the matter Dy him,
said, substance that he would give the subject the
most serious consideration, aad that he would
suit Mr. Phelps. OF this city, and learn what he would
do under similar circumstances. He would also en-
ploy OF the best informed physicians to be found
upon subject oil insanity, ana ne would nave him
visit the accused at Bloomingdae Asylum In case
the physician reports that the young man Ia not
insane he Will instantly bring the case before the
Grand Jury.