The New York herald., 1879-10-17
THE COURTS.
Lifting the Veil from Proceedings Be-
fore the Grand Jury.
MEETING ACCUSATIONS OF CRIME
A WOman's Aid in Circulating
Counterfeit Coin.

Quite number of robberies perperated in this
city during the summer months while the occupants
OF houses absent on vacation. Among those ar
rested were Alexander higgins. Michael Murphy and
George Leonard for burglary. They pleaded guilty
to robbing the house of Flavius l. Allen. at No. 241
Lexington avenue. Judge Cowing sent Higgins. the
leader. to the State Prison for fifteen years. and
Leonard and Murphy for twelve years and six months
and ten years. respectively. Information was FUR
nished to the police authorities that led them
to suspect John Sheridan. q saloon keeper
at the corner of avenue and Thir-
teenth street. as the receiver of the stolen
property, and examination Of his promises seve-
raj of the missing articles found by Detectives
King and Lyons. Sheridan taken into custody.
and the Grand Jury found six indictments against
him for receiving stolen goods. In Part OF the
Court Of General Sessions the accused placed
trial by Assistant District Attorney Bell. ex-Judge
Cochrane and w. +. Knitting appearing for the de-
fence. The specific charge was that of receiving
goods that had been stolen from Mr.. Alien.
When the case was called Mr.. Cochrane moved that
the indictment be quashed OH the ground that Mr..
establish the ownership of the goods. Mr.. Bell said
il counsel on the other side would not object he
would enter nolle prosequi. This was accordingly
done ana new indictment subsequently found
against sheridan. Mr.. Cochrane then moved for the
discharge of Sheridan on the ground that tho indic
ment was founded on no legal evidence. Counsel
asked the prosecution to produce the minute book
of the Grand Jury. Mr.. Bell insisted that author
ity in the State could be cited for such Mr..
Cochrane had received list OF the witnesses who
testified before the Grand Jury and no other
sion had been in this State Judge Cowing
observed that he would never hesitate to make
precedent when one was needed There could be no
injustice to the people in allowing accused party
to know what testimony had been given against HIM
in tho Grand Jury room. so that he might make
preparations for his defence. The spirit Of the law
authorized the throwing OF every protection against
oppression around q person accused OF crime. The
weight of judicial decision in this and other coun-
tries made private only the votes and the decisions
of the Grand Jury. There no decision for
against making the evidence taken before them pr-
vate, and he would deliver one that would have
its effect in making it free to the accused
person. He would now order the production OF tho
minute book. When the book in question was
amined it was found to contain only an outline Of
the Mr.. Allen was then called to the witness
stand and reiterated the testimony he gave before
the Grand Jury to the effect that he found Of
the property which had been stolen from his house
in Sheridans premises. Mr.. Cochrane renewed his
motion to quash the indictment Judge Cowing,
however, held the indictment to be good and denied
the motion. The further hearing OF the will
be resumed to-day.