The New York herald., 1879-10-16
FREDERICK CRILL'S TRIAL.
THE EVIDENCE FOR THE PROSECUTION CLOSED
TESTIMONY FOR THE DEFENCE TENDING TO
PROVE GRILL INSANE.

THE EVIDENCE FOR THE PROSECUTION CLOSED
TESTIMONY FOR THE DEFENCE TENDING TO
PROVE GRILL INSANE.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
NEWTON Sussex county. N. j., Oct. Is. 1879.
The rs witness called to-day for the State in the
trial of Frederick Grill for the murder of his daugh-
ter Thomas Lawrence. He conversed with Grill
after his arrest, when he said he took the gun
to 60 shootIng; that he the half bushel
measure and spoke to his daughter about it.; be-
came angered and shot her; said he had lived in
hell for years; Grill is always peculiar; he was
more excited than usual; his conversation was ra-
honal.
Stephen Smith heard Grill say, cit is done and
cannot be helped; am not crazy; have been;"
q remark made that Newton jail nice
place for him; Grill retorted "It can't be . much
worse place; have been living in hell for years."
he usually wears an overcoat and tppet in summers
excited
DIR. Pellet testified that Grill said. 81 have shot
my daughter wanted to move the half bushel
measure; she interfered; you know am insane.
for you have attended me; did not take aim; good
heavens no; just held ii out and frcd; the
charge entered the head tearing away the inside.
Daniel Van Orden had conversation with
Grill he said, "No. my friend. would do IL again
thousand times; the abuse have taken no one
know; / have had to sleep In the barn
and the stack and been i'll treated
in many ways; they had our goods; we lived with
them; when took the gun down intended to 60
to shoot birds; my daughter stood at the washtnb
tantalizing me; raised the gun and shot her; she
was very close; If had taken sight might have
had time to think and not done it; she was no
mother to her children; the grandmother would
take better of them" Other witnesses corrob-
GRATED different parts of the evidence. Dr. Cruise
testified to the cause of death.
William Babcock was recalled and cross-examined
by the defence positions in tho He said his
wife was always indulgent to her father and his sole
support; she was laughing and nursing the child
when left the house.
Counsel tor the State rested.
THE DEFENCE, INSANITY.
Colonel kimbIe opened for the defence. He said
the prisoner had no friends. money and
reason. He did not commit the deed pur-
posely. The gun went of by accident.
His daughter was his sole dependence.
From early childhood she had helped him draw
not, IL sane, destroy his onrly dependence The
family are dyspeptic. lie has little REASON left;
was upset by the dreadful accident. HIS Wild talk
about provocation resulted thercfrom.
John Butler testified that he had shaved Grill: tho
process was always difficult from his jerking and
twitching he generally wore tippet at all seasons
ne was Intelligent and rational in conversation.
Mrs. Harriet Osborne. q daughter OF the prisoner,
said her father was affected with diseases and COM
plans for twelve years he had the peculiar Jerking
and twitching; for ten years his regular diet had
been vinegar, molasses. grease and old bread. Ho
drank tea In summer ne sat by the stove with an
overcoat, tippet and hat on.
Justice win Campbell testified 10 the daughters
care OF her father before her marriage; Mr.. Grill
tried suit in my court last March with his
usual skill showed no lack of mental capacity but
was peculiar In his actions and Dress
John Card sworn:-CrilIs mother had nts and
died therefrom.
Other witnesses testified to pecuarities Of the
prisoner. Mrs Grill is living with Babcock and his
children at Paterson ard is too sick to appear.
His constant contortions fearful TO behold The
case ts adjourned to tomorrow morning.