New-York tribune., 1879-10-15
TILE BLAIR MURDEK TRIAL

ARGUMENTS IN THE CASE BEGUN.
CLOSING TESTIMONY AGAINST oPHELIA DYERs
CRFDIRIIITY- PROSECUTOR ABELLs VIEW OF
THE EVIDENCE.
There was the usual large attendance at the
trial of Joseph A. Blair yesterday Mrs. Blars cbl-
d-en were with her in the cour-room
George NJ. DusenhorIy. OF Thirty-fourtl-st., New
York the present employer of Ophcla Dyer. called
by the defence, and testified that he had employed
ouboia DYER as "A cook for four five months she
went To- his house after the tragedy. Ophe-
la DYER was recalled next, and testified that she
had said nothing to Nj. Dusenberry about what Aim
strong had said and that she had said nothing TO Mrs
Mary j. Torrey about taking $3.50 not to testify. Mr.
Dnscap.rry then recalled and testified that Ophela
once told him that she heard Armstrong say az the time
of the shooting that lie would blow off Mr. Blars head
On he stated that Ophed used 10 go
where his family and talk abont the tragedy very
tamlarly and he often had tell her 10 leave the
room O9belia had said that John talked awful"
On redirect examination he testified lie had told Ophe-
la not TO come 10 Newark because he knew she was
not III person for witness and he thought she would
get INTO trouble told contradictory stories at differ
ent times Mrs. May J. Torrey, OF No 2G4 West
Thirtyfomrfh-st New-York. testified that Ophea told
her that Blars counsel fools, for they could pay
$3.50 and get her to leave the country. She said TO
Ophelia, "WOud you DO that Ophcha ahs"ereu'
"Oh, yes / would"
rpe defence rested at this point and the rebnta evil
dence of the state then began. DR.. q. C. Freeborn es
nod TO having made microscopic examination of Arm
sropg's clothing ut the bullet-boles. There were no
traces of powder the clothes. On crOss-examna'iOn
ne said that this his first experiment Of the
kii ne could tell what the effect would be on
dirty moist cloth The prosecution theu announced
IL rested s rcDuttal aud the defence having no
moro tmOny fer The Court declared the closed
An argument followed as TO whether Ophelia DyeTs
testimony before Tie Coroncrs Jury should ID" admitted
part OF The record. The Prosecutor thought IL
unjust and mOnstrous 10 shut out that inquest testimony
ig IA
the persons whose testimony had cuntradcted Ophea
Dyer's. The aus ON greeted by applause from the
sDectat, rs, which the Judge quickly rcbuked aud
defence had consented 10 admit the statement
oi Ophca Dyer before the Coroner such portions of
her testimony had been brought oui IN open court
could alone be submitted to the jury.
Prosecutor Abee summing up Tor the prosecution, al
uded 10 wife and children OF Blair aud then spoke
q Armstrong lying beneath the Autumn leaves. away
from home the sea, away from Old friends,
ana with supporting or even weeping friends. " IL
Is the poor aud uneducated meD" he continued more
than ric aud cultivated vino require the especial
protection of the law. Death IL not the penalty OF be-
ing insulting aud disagreeable. The killing OF John
Armstrong by Joseph A. BLAIR was murder unless
Il nualng eli TcuTDstances De shown Several OF tue
witnesses agree tba the quarrel lasted half AN hour
ana all agree that II began with an attempt OF Blair TO
discipline his servant. ROsselOts testimony proved
that Blair did not have the rusty pistol when he
came down staIfs after the shooting. but got II
when he went back To the barn. while ROs-
s.Iot Was mlnisterlug 10 Armstrong; wants.
Oniy in million could have taken the iie of
fIlOw-cIeare aud have then begun To make evidence
s 1t part Of tie wonderful nerve aud cool
ness of this man. who quarrellcd with his cOachmau
ouety walked house quietly unlocked his dress
inEcase drawer took out Ills pistol ana walAihg Dack
10 Inc barn shot the man who bad 1bgeied hlm. On
Koe6elos testimony alone the verdict must he murder
IN the frst second degree; aud II the testimony OF
Ouhcila Dyer could be placed on the record, the
diet must be murder IN III hrst degree"
Indge Itsworth Cortlandt Parker and the Attorney
General, In the order named, Will speak to-day.