The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-14
THE COURTS.
An ASSaiant'S AStOniShment at the
Course of Justice.
BE TR AYING A TRUST
One Of Woman's Prerogatives in
Courts of Justice.

George f. Howell, twenty years OF ago, at one time
clerk In his brother's hardware establishment who
indicted for shooting James p. Doerng Of No 2S6
West Twenty seventh street, at the corner OF Nassau
aud Fulton streets July yesterday arraigned
for trial in the Court Of General Sessions before judge
Gilderslecve. The accused pleaded guilty. Assistant
District Attorney Herring who appeared Tor the pros
ecution, stated that the crime committed BY Howell
was most cowardy and unprovoked one. and mas.
could not have accepted any less plea than
that Of guilty the FIRST count Of tho Indictment
assault with intent TO kill-he would ask the Court
to mote out TO the fullest extent the punishment
prescribed by law. Mr. John O.. Mott who APP
pcared for tho accused in tho absence OF his coun-
sell called the attention OF the Court TO the numerous
aidavits OF good character which he had submitted,
and also a communication from the complainant
setting forth that ne had entirely recovered from the
effects Of wound and that he did NOT press for tho
punishment oil Howell Al this stage inc prisoner
formed the Court that Howell stated no had pleaded
gully misapprenension Of tho grave charac-
ter Of the crime which he had pleaded. Counsel,
therefore, asked that he plea OF guilty be Withdrawn
and plea Of not guilty substituted, ana that ne Ne
case. The Court our SO ordered, and The case
was set down for trial immediately The
In order 10 give his counsel who was sick. an
opportunity TO be present. Later on, however, howeii
alter consultation with his brother ana some friends
again rendered his plea OF guilty OF assault with IN
tent to KILL In passing sentence Judge Glidersleeve,
addressing the prisoner, sad:-"You are tori innate
In not being under Indictment for murder have
had some little difficulty, In view OF your previous
gooG character tho efforts OF friends IN your
behalf, In determining what the extent OF your punish
ment should be- Your welfare must not alone be con-
sdered at Lhis stage despite the exertions Of your
friends and the fact that the complainant does not
press for punishment. The interests of The COM
mun,ty at stake and must DO carefully guarded
That you deserve punishment Tor the full term
provided by law there can be doubt. D,a
permit you 20 with your friends unpunished l
should he establishing very dangerous precedent.
Van mn ihnra N IN rRnl
not only PUNISH you, but deter others from making
the Same violent Of weapons that you have.
therefore sentence you to state Prison At hard labor
Tor seven years.
Tho prisoner evidently surprised on hearing
his sentence, but quickly assumed an air OF indiner-
and walked back 10 the prisoners box with
con fdent stop. il will be remembered that al one
time behring's lite was dcspaIred OF. lie Is now, now
ever, able ~ attend to his uaiy avocation though
still suffering somewhat from the effects oil the wound.
The of the shooting alleged by tho accused
that DeerinR had used his efforts TO get HIM dis.
missed from his brother's employ.