New-York tribune., 1879-05-22
ON TRIAL FOR THEIR LIVES.
FOUR ALLEGED MURDERERs IN COURT.

SMITH TRfAL-FpwARD REINnARDT ABRAGNED
ON A CHARGE or KILLING HIS wiFE-JAcoB
RoMER ACCUSED OF POISONING HIS MOTHER.
In the Smith trial in Jersey CITY yesterday, the
evidence was closed. and DIstrict-Attorney Mcthli
began his argument against the prisoners. lie de-
clared that Bennett aud Mrs. Smith had sufficient
motive for the murder of the husband, and argued
that their conduct was such ms was 70 be expected
from the persons who committed the deed. Edward
Reinhardt who is accused of killing his wife and oi
burying the remains in a barrel at Silver Lake. -
L. last FAN, was placed on trial. a colored man
named Jacob Romer, was arraigned at Hacken-
sack, n. j., charged with poisoning his mother
NEARING THE END OF THE SMITH CASE.
CLOSING The EVIDENCE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
MGILs ARGUMENT IN BEHALF OF THE STATE.
The Smith murder trial was near its close
when the Court in Jersey CITY adjourned yesterday
some OF the concluding arguments and the Judges
charge to the Jury still having TO bo made Ihe puDhc
interest in the case was usual by throng OF
spectators AT the opening OF the Court AttoneyGeh-
eral Stockton made argument upon the refusal OF MI
FemmiBg of Bennets counsel to tell upon what inior-
NATION he had gone to the Smith hOuse and had found
some FRI agments OF letter upon shelf made by the
ceiling of the cellar" Judge Knapp decided that the
question Of privilege must be raised by Mr. Flommng'
who was the stand. Mr. Flemmng said that the lh-
formation demanded by Inc DVoh
given to him by confidence and he would ask
to have It regarded privileged Mr. Stockton then
waived further cross-examnation OF the counsel and
DlsficAtorney McG began to call the witnesses Tor
the rebutta.
Some actors connected with the Bowery Theatre
called contradict the statements made by the witness
De Gez who had testified to meeting Bennett at the
Atlantic Garden about IL O'Clock on the night OF the
murder. Their testimony showed that De Gee had
made one or two errors in describing the play which he
saw at the theatre that evening. Officer Farley and
Detective ONeil OF the Jersey City police, testified
that the former found an empty botiewhich smeled OF
choroorm the shelf made by the ceiling Of the cellar
in Smiths house about 5 o'clock the morning when
the murder discovered. Otber witnesses testified
that Mrs Rich the witness for Bennett addicted to
drunkenness, and that her character for yer1cy
bad Charles Koelble one 81 the constabcs who guard
the prisoners in the courtroom then called to the
witness stand and asked II he did not carry message
from Mrs Jennie Il. Smith to her sister. Mrs Watson
Monday evening last The question caused little ex
citement in the COURTROOM The witness looked sur-
prised and did the prisoners counsel. Mr. Winfield
called out: cone moment! What IL this to rebuilt" SIR
McGil replied that il was intended to contradict tho
explanation OF Benueds letter TO Mrs smith The wit
ness then said that Mrs Smith had asked him on Mon
day evening after she had been questioned about The
letter. tell her sister not to bcey. what she had tc
titled to regarding the letter Mrs smith had said TO
the witness that Mrs Watson the only relative TO
whom she could go after the trial she we've acquitted
ana she did not want ner sister to be prudCcd against
her. On cTOss-examnation KOcible said that hrs.
Smiths whole object in sending the message seemed 10
be avert the anger OF her sister During this part of
the testimony Mrs Smith burst into tears. and she con-
nued TO weep during great portion of the day. Two
other witnesses for the State called but failed 10
appear, and the Court took an hours recess.
After waiting FOR nearly hour longer f6r the ap
pearance Of witnesses the testimony was declared
1fIa
gan the summing upfor the state. There doubt,
lie said, thar OHcer Richard H. Smith was murdered.
t had been proved against the prisoners that there
WAS motive Ior committing the muioer .Dy thelf
OWE admissions Mrs Smith and Bennett entertained an
unholy love for each other. MIS-. smith feared and
hated her husband. She had even talked or killing hun.
The guilt Of the prisoners further proved ho said,
by thc discovery Of the knife ana sash-weght IN The
closet. 1he murder had undoubtedly been committed
with these implements ana thoy had been used IN the
mouse Any, murderer except t1e prisoners HOuid
not nave mdhen the weapons III the vault AIter lhe
murder the head of the murdered man was covered with
pillow ana The body was covered with quilt Why
should stranger nave laken llme 10 40 lhs sliau.
ger would not have cared TO cover the body but II
Bennett and Mrs Smith had committed the murder she
of the gaping wounds while her lover made his es
Mr.. McGnl then referred to the manner IN which the
letter written by Bennett TO Mrs smith In the County
jail secured for the State evidence saying that
he would have failed IN his duty II he had not en-
deavOred 10 procure this evidence lie commented al
length the letters whcD Mrs Phillips mad writ
len ~ Mrs. smith request ana then took up me elsh
page letter which Bennett had written. This leltcr hc
said contested by the counsel for the prisoners
unul identity had Oeen proved, ana then It
ogniZcd by prisoners. This letter stated that Ben
uetts love for Mrs. Smith great that he was
ready step forward and fully cxonerate her ner lie
was in danger. That meant that Beuurtts love for
Mrs. Smith strong 10 drive him 10 any cXtren
lty. 1t had been proved that Bennett was IN Jersey
City so late il O'Clock the niglt OF the murder
His subsequent refusal TO state where be was that night
that he had GOi to present The witnesses
called late in the present trial TO prove abb for Ben
had only proved tnat they unworthy OF btcf
In the letter 10 Mrs Smith Bennett used expressions
which indicated that they were both guilty |
OF the murder He lmpOred her " TO remain |
TO him." after she indicted while he !
was not. lie promised TO keep her life safe |
lie encouraged her every possible way to hope FOR
a favorable ending OF the rial wnicn TO come ana
motto turn States evidence against him
Mr.. MCGill then made review OF the testimony which
had been presented by the defence. An effort he sJId
been made TO show that Mrs Smith physically
unable 10 participate IN the murder; but her conduct
after murder and also during the trial, had proved
that she capable OF mos. extraordinary deeds |
The attempt prove aiinl for Bennett had facl
There nothing left for the members OF the jury
but TO find the prisoners guilty. Ihcy had an |
pleasant ouy TO perform, but tney had to sustain the
Scripturai injunction thgt whOsOeyer shCddeth mans
blood by men shall his blood be shed.
MAen Mr. McGli's speech finished, the regular |