The New York herald., 1879-12-16

JOSEPH AND NARY voLKMER CONVICTED Oh
POISONING BLAIR-THEY HEAR THEIR SEN


POISONING BLAIR-THEY HEAR THEIR SEN
TENcE UNMovED.
When the trial Of Joseph and Mary volkmer for
administering poison to Charles E. Blair with intent
70 kill him was resumed yesterday in the Court OF
General Sessions every seat was occupied. the in
terest In the investigation increasing as the
drew to close. The prisoners sat together. ap-
pareutly Indifferent their surroundings. Mr..
Hathaway. behalf Of the accused. intimated that
the prosecution did not intend to attack the char
scter of the male prisoner other than what appeared
from the testimony NO more witnesses would be
called for the Defence Assistant District At
torney Rollins agreed to this and then offered
in evidence the letters written by Blair
to Mrs. volkmer. adding that owing to the filthy
nature Of their contents no would not read them
Me- Rollins then called Charles Eihcr. notary. Of
No. lis Norfolk street. who testified that on the
evening Of tho 2Ath ult the male prisoner called on
him and stated that rich old from the country
had alienaed the affections of his wife and asked his
advice; volhmer further told him that he had found
his betrayers letters and photograph and desired to
have him punished the prisoner also rocted all the
occurrences between Blair and Mary volkmer the
Boston boat; the witness told volkmsr he had
dress at law and that all he could do in the matter
to set trap the guilty couple in the sot Of
inhdelity and have the arrested Joseph
promised to follow that suggestion and went away.
SUMMING UP.
This closed the both sides. Counsel for tho
defence tn summing up contended that tho prosecu-
tion had altogether failed to prove the guilt Of his
clients urging that they should not be convicted
the evidence OF Mary Connolly. = self-confessed
criminal. He submitted that owing to her jealousy
of Blair's attention to the volkmers and dislike Of
her she had herself concocted tho plot to "dose'
the victim. Connolly knew that Blair was rich and
hoha hiVr Nina V,IE IN In
acting In miserly way to her. She had thereupon.
In her Jealous rage determined to administer poison
to him. Assistant District Attorney Rollins. in the
course OF long address, made the court room ring
with peals Of laughter by the humorous and
set up by the accused The greatest escape he said
that Blair had in the course Of his singular connec
ton with tho volkmers was when ne returned from
streets Of that city with "bg Mary one arm and
Mary volkmer-his little .'Swss Mary" he called
her-two Magdalens. on either arm. Now. had he
been With them when they stole = piano cover. he
might have been arrested an accomplice and then
indeed would the old FOOLS cup Of misery have been
filled to overfowing. Lauahter.) The prisoners
counsel had endesvored to show that Mary Connolly
tn n ss Sro% ss
which was her due. as an accomplice in the plot to
poison the victim: SO tar ho (Air. Rollins) was
concerned, he wished the law permitted him to send
the entire quartet, including Blair and Mary Con-
molly to State Prison. only he thought Blair would
however disaereeable. that contained his ''dear
Mary" Haughter.) Mr.. Rollins then read portions
OF the Letters OF bair TO Mary VOlkmor,
which were not found until after Blair had left
the witness stand and In reference to which,
consequently he could not be interrogated. These
letters. he submitted, corrob0rated beyond any
doubt the testimony of Mary Connolly in relation
to the statements and actions of the accused. The
epstles filled with afectonate declarations tor
Mary volkmer. and made appointments with him in
New York. Mr. Rollins then alluded to the testi-
mony contending that the guilt OF the prisoner had
been fully established. characterizing the deed
most cowardly. inhumsn and base conspiracy.
POUND GUILTY AND SENTENCED.
Judge Cowing charged the jury, lucidly explaining
the law bearing on the case. At hsfpsst Ave o'clock
the jury retired. and after absence Of twenty-five
minutes returned with verdict Of guilty. The
prisoners heard the announcement unmoved.
Their counsel moved arrest of Judgment
and for new trial, both motions being denied.
In passing sentence Judge Cowing said that II the
Blair and kill him they would undoubtedly have
the elements Of elaboration an6 generalization Of
murder in the hrst degree. They had given Blair
too much poison and their plot was defeated. ma
helping Blair to get rid OF the dose He trusted
the sentence he was about to impose would have .
beneficial eHect-nrst, warning to others, that IL
they administered poison they would be punished
they deserved; and he trusted that 1t would also
be q warming to travellers steamboats, not to take
up with chance acqusintances, who might succeed
in blasting their lives and regulations. The sem
tence Of the Court was that Joseph Volkmer be
fined In the State Prison ut hard labor for twelve
years. and that Mary volkmer be sent to the Peni-
lentiary for the same period. The prisoners were
then removed.