New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-02-11
THE SMITH NLRDIR TRIAL.

A COURTROOM CROWDED WITH CURIOUS WOMEN
WITNESSES REHEARsING THE SCENES or HE
MURDER.
The trial of Mrs. Jennie r. Smith and CO.
vert d. Bennett for tho murder OF Policeman Rcnarh
II. Smith, opened yesterday in the Hudson County
Court Of oyer and Terminer, in Jersey CITY.
The courtroom was crowded, a large proportion
o, those present being women. When the ca'c
was called Judge Knapp directed the officers TO bring
the prisoners into the courtroom. Distrct-Attornr}
Alexander T. McGlll and Attorcy-General joan r.
Stockton appeared for the State and William l. HON
man, Charles H. Winfield. Gilbert Collins James Flem
ming and Z. h. Wakeman FOR the defence. "heh Ben
nett and Mrs. Smith appeared they showed no emotion
Mrs Smith dressed In mourning and seemed much
improved n general health since her arrest
The first Juror called, Theodore b. Folger was sworn
and took his seat as the foreman In drawing the jury
fourteen were challenged by he defence, nine by ne
state. and one excused upon ls own IeJHH; LIZ
opening for the state wac made by MT McGlil' VINO
claimed that Mrs Smith was strongly aitsched 10 iel
nett. aud that she hated her husbaIn VINO wotla nI
allow her money enough to dress richly as che desired
lie MISC alleged that Bennett loved Mrs smith, ana
tbe two conspired and committed the murder
that Bennett seen near he house the nlE' ohlh
tcsi"ns made through clandestiue correspondence
carried in ai! by tie prisoners would so Ihr 70
fstcn the crime upon them. but be declined 10 produce
Chicf Ensineer Post OF the Jersey City Board OF Pub
lie Works and BcdOe W. Harrison, IA surveyor by
means OF diagrams explained the scene OF the murder
the yor to The house and the cellar through Which, 1t ia
alleged by defence murderer made his way into
the bedroom where smith was killed Their evidence
related merely to measurements.
James MrGIeg0r testified that he resided in the upper
nni"n of the honse occupied by Smith. The night OF
he murder he retired NJ O'Clock He was awakened
by hearing Mrs smiths screams OF murder He fOuhd
Mr. smith stand half way mp the first ght or stars
sceincd % he terribly frightened, ana said Hes
Killed. he's Killed. A man did IT, McGregor went
INTO The bedroom with her The body Of Smith
was lying on the bed With quit over
Il and pillow over the head. The closet door at the
head of the bed was scattered with blood Mrs. smith
told The witness that she saw man come IN the ROOM
shat gave her something sweet, aud she rcmenDettd
nothing more until she AWAKENED by feeling the
arm 81 ,hr corpse against her own. As Mr.. McGregor
turned 20 20 no STAIRS, Mrs smith said. For Gods take
do net eU your wife come IN here" Tho witness then
went ont for a policeman.
Oficcr Bamrd testified q at lie visited the scene OF
the murder early IN tine morning Inc main portion OF
In reference. 10 the condition OF tle
room IN which lay the body OF the murdered man.
While on te wav TO the housr Comnunip1 wave, lie
said ne met man walking toward The Central Railroad
Of Jersey. He about i've trct three lncnes III
height. lie English w3IkinEcoat ana had
handkerchief tied around his throat The witness dld
no. believe he could recognize the person Ne ga" Hh
again. At this point the Court adjourned.