The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-27
CoRONER DEMPSEY sENTENOEp.
A staten Island OniciaI Of go Year,. standing
Con-icted Of Perjury.

William McSorley OF West New Brighton,
Staten Island. died on Aug. 1. 1878. Coroner
james Dempsey OF New brighton subsequently
presented to the County Of Richmond bill OF
1880 for expenses in holding an inquest in
the case Of William McSorley. Coroner Demp-
sey was indicted for perjury for swearing that
this bill was correct. Yesterday. in the Court OF
Sessions in Richmond. Coroner Dempsey testi-
fed that no had been a Coroner OF tho county
for twenty years. that he wont to McSorley's
house. having been Informed OF his death by
DR.. Edward f. Arnoux. picking no a jury
wherever he could get them. He did not know
any OF the jury then. and he did not know any
of them now. The jury and DR.. Arnoux both
saw the body. After they had gone tho Coroner
sat down and talked with members OF McSor-
leys family about the cause OF death. but the
result Of this examination was not put down in
writing. lIe did not subpoena any member OF
the family rs witness. but after quitting the
house went To DIR. ArnOuN ana gave him YER
hal notice to come to the inquest. The inquest.
the witness continued, was held in his office. DIR.
ArnOuX appeared there and 1'stitled that McSor-
ley died OF old age. Mr.. Deil psuy did not recol-
lect that there were any other witnesses. He
did not see the jurors sign the verdict. He
gave them the paper on which the verdict was
written. he testified. and then went out doors.
The only other witness called for the defence
was Henry Smith. who keeps barroom next to
Dempsey's livery stable. and IL Dempsey 3 ten
ant, lie testified that he remembered one
night seeing the Coroner, DR.. Armour, and six
or eight men going into Dempseys office. and
that he WIS told that they were holding an in
quest in the case OF McSorey's denth On being
asked who told him. the witness said Dempsey
told him.
The prosecution produced Mr.. Thomas A.
McSorley. who testified that no jurymcn and no
physician were II the house on the day OF his
fathers DEATH The Coroner said to the wit
ness and his mother that he was n Coroner. but
ne would not make them any trouble. Dr. Ar
nouNs testimony wns to the effect that all he
did IN the case WAS to 20 TO Coroner Dempsey
once and there sign the inquisiton paper. An
officer testified that he had searched all over
West New Brighton but could find only three
men whose names could be found in the Nc
Sorlev jury list Each Of these three men testi-
fled that BE- was not on the jury,
Judge Westeryclt charged that a verbal no.
tice by "A Coroner to attend an inquest 20 testify
is not "A Subpoena; also that there was no in
quest unless jury actually viewed the body.
1t had been widely predicted that the jury
would not agree. After II short retirement.
however. they returned with a verdict OF guilty.
The color in Dempsey's face deepened 10 n
scurlet Judge Westervrt sentenced him to
one years hard labor in Sing Sing prison. This
was the mildest sentence that could be passed.
The trials OF the following named persons
were set down for the Court OF Oyer and Ter
miner in October: Dr. Edward i. Arnoux for
perjury. in swearing 10 the correctness OF n bill
rendered by him in the McSOrley case Con-
stable Robert Goggn lat whose former trial the
jury disagreed. for perjury in swearing TO the
correctness Of n bill Constable James Davis on
the same chaTEr; Collectors Michael Lyman
anu Nltllilhn VI Dutu lot
eubezzlement Of town money; Joseph and
John Johnson. al whose joint trial there was "a
disagreement OF the jury for assaulting with
intent to kill, Clarence Delnheld: ex-County
Treasurer McROberts. who failed 10 account for
s5suUQ OF the countys money several years
ago. His bail wis renewed in the sum OF
fl5 600. Collector Michael Nhelihan's bail was
forfeited yesterday because he did not appear
until after the adjournment OF the court. and
then he was brought by AN officer. His bonds
men are his father. Michael Whelihan. and
James Whelinan.
Peter L. Corielyou an aged man was arraign-
ed yesterday on the charge Of smbezzling. as an
executor So 900 belonging to Eliza Winant. and
5000 belonging 10 Elm Burnett; also for grand
larceny ia taking wo 81 900 bonds Of the Staten
Island Railroad Company. He furnished bail
in the sum of. flu.OOO.