New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-22
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
g,rrpn TINE TRIEp FOR MURDER.


OPENING OF THE TRIAL OF MRS. JENNIE SMITH AND
COVERT D. BENNETT.
The third trial of Mrs Jennie X. Smith and Covert
n R,puett who are charged with the murder OF
Officer Smith, of Jersey City, on August 1, 1875
was begun Yesterday morning at the Hudson County
Court House. On February 10, 1879. the first trlai
was begun and was continued for seven DAYS, wneh
1t was suddenly stopped by the insanity of herman
Duben. one-of the jurors. Several postponemehtS
followed. and the trial was again begun on May -
1870. Ii lasted twelve days and both PRISONERS
were found guilty and were sentenced TO De haheeu'
On July 20 the Supreme Court Judges decided 10
give the prisoners new trial.
The usual crowd tried to get into the court room
yesterday but were not admitted Judge Knapp
was the presiding indge and Lay judges Brln E
boti and Fry were also on the bench. 6liOeI w
Inns of counscl for Mrs Smith, asked 10 have BIS
client tried separately. Ex-ludge Hoffman, on pe-
half of Bennett, made similar motion Al.oItHs
General S.octo replied for the state me no,iou
wos denied Only eleven Jurors were secured out OF
The panel of forty-eight. The remaining Juror wac
obtained from the general panel Inc jury Is "S
Herman W. Graves Patrick Duff, David j.
SWAIN James Cumming, Edward Cochran, Wliu nan
Chevaher Charles vi WILSON, itamc,S CoS and
liam II. Childs. John ii. Post Matthew IonAiiii anu
Robert EdgewOOd. -, -.
Prosecutor McGill opened the case with short
HISTORY of the circumstances attending the MURDER
lie said that II would be developed IN the case that
nennett and Mrs Smith were actnated by an I'M
holy love and that this love afforded 4 motive Tor
the crime Edow w. Harrison and C. W. Post de-
scrbed the plans which had been drawn OF the
house where the murder was commit, ed There
was an opening in the floor OF the closet leading INTO
Mrs. Smiths apartments. Ibe hoie measured
foot and inches by feet.
James McGregor testified that he occupied the
upper apar. ments Of the house where the murder
was committed. lie was called down stal by Mrs.
Smith. viewed the body md went for doctor.
Mrs. Smith said to me-" he continued, nc
killed he's killed. | saw the BODY lying on the
bsA and covered with guilt. The head was
covered with a pillow and blood was spattercd all
over The door, Mrs. Smith said TO me then. / saw
q tall man here with something white over ms
face. tasted something sweet and then went to
steep again. ] remember nothing more until felt
llarry,s cold avn against me- Size said that her
husband objected to the little dog sleeping on the
bed because il had fleas. Mrs. Smith did not APP
near To be excited her voice was serious, but moi
sad. The little dog always barked at strangers,
bur did not hear him bark that night" On cross
examination lie said that fifty persons entered the
house the next day, bat he did not hear the dog
bark at all.
Mrs. McGregor, the mother of the last witness,
testified: "When | was aroused by Mrs Smiths
screams she looked very sick. She saId 70 me,
Look where Harry lies murdered there asked
her how it happened. Harry came home and
went to bed about ii O'clock. she said. went to
bed at 1880. About Ia a. m. got up for drink
of water ! was aroused later and saw man with
white cloth his face. lie put something over
my mouth next felt something cold against my
arm; il was my husbands elbow Mrs. smith
then tainted in my arms. asked her afterward
said she didn't know. When she found the officers
were watching her she said, why am l thus
watohed7 Many murder has boon committed ana
never found ont"