The New York herald., 1879-02-11
KILLING HIS STEPMOTHER.

A ten-year-old youth named Thomas Hallssy, OF
No. 20l Madison street, and his younger brother had
quarrel the 18th Of November last about the pos
session OF necktle. Their stepmother, Bridget
Hallissy, interfered, and, taking hold of Thomas,
threatened to chastise him. He at once broke away
from her. and sezing carving knife from the table
flung it at her. The point of the blade entered her
left breast. and the wound proved to be fatal Before
her death, which occurred the 10Th of November.
she called the boy Thomas to her bedside and forgave
him. and putting his hand into that Of his father
requested ; both to pray for ,. her; On learn learn
the police arrested Thomas, who, being arragned
in the Court of General Sessions yesterday, pleaded
Case Thomas Hailissy, said Judge Gildersleeve, lis
extraordinary ! am informed you are hardly ten
years Of age. yet you stand before me charged with
the killing OF human bcng-your stepmother
am informed by your father that you ordinarily
gentle and obedient. but that you quick tenn
pered. To this unfortunate failing is due the
disgrace you have brought upon your kindred
and tho punishment that you must receive II
yog were ere older u yen might end your life in prison
able yon did not intend to kill your stepmother.
The Grand Jury indicted you reluctantly AND only
ment. moreover, with the Recommendation that your
punishment be light. In view OF these mitigating
circumstances intend to be lenient send you to
the City Prison for thirty days" The youthful
prisoner was then removed.
THE ALLEGED INCENDIARIES.
Promptly at half-pas ten ocloc'. yesterday morn
ing the trial Of Abraham D. Freeman and Charles
Bernstein, indicted for arson in the frst degree.
which has been going on since Wednesday last. was
resumed in the Court of Oyer and Terminer before
Judge Barrett
The opened yesterday for the defence. and the
FIRST witness called was the prisoner Freeman. Ex-
J~ige Curtis examined him ut considerable length.
The prisoner cnlphatcsly denied that the night
of the 10th of November last he either ut Sieges
saloon in tho hoiisc No. II Ludlow street. He
swore that the night of the FIRE he in his
house from six o'clock until midnight. when he
went to bod He further stated that his presence
his house the entire evening due to the fact that
that there was celebration at his house in COM
memoration Of the event. Assistant District At
torney Rollins subjected him to severe cross-ex-
animation but the prisoner continued to protest his
entire innocence OF the alleged crime.
The noxt witness was the prisoner Bernstein who,
in response to the direct examination by ex-Judge
Curtis. testified that the night of the Are he
at his fathers house and remained there from seven
O'Clock until after eleven. Mr.. Edwin Nj. Fox of
nesses in support OF the alibi and also dry
goods merchants for whom Bernstein had worked
VITO gave him excellent character for honesty and
integrity. Th. will probably be submitted to
the jury this afternoon As on the preceding days of
the trial, tho court room was densely thronged.
The interest in tho seems to have increased
rather than abated.
STEAMBOAT CAPTAINS SUSPENDED.
decision was made yesterday by tho Local Board
of Steamboat Inspectors in tho matter Of the COLI
sion December II. 1873, between the steamer Nor
rissaia and the schooner Jennie NJ Carter in tow of
the tug Trojan. The Inspectors find that the col
ls'on was due to the negligence of both parties On
the part of the Morrsans for the rcckcssness of her
master In attempting to the bow the schooner
IN s.sh close proximity. ana the part the mas
ter OF the Trojan for not having proper lookout
the port side when the jib and mainsail of the
schooner were set In accordance with this decision
the licenses Of John Townsend, master and pilot of
the Morrisanis. and OF Eli b. Conine master of the
Troja". were suspended for twenty days.
In tbs matter OF the collision between the steamer
Shady Side and the ferryboat Greenpoin in the East
River on January 15 1872 the Inspectors decide that
II w.s duo to the reckessness OF the master of the
WA suspended for thirty DAYS