Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-28
A Stolen Watch.

THE TRIAL OF EDWARD BERRY ALIAS srMMa
Edward Berry, alias Edward Simms, indicted for
the larceny OF silver watch, valued at $40 from
John A. Russell, on April 9Th last, was placed on
trial In the Criminal Court this morning, Mr. Coyle
prosecuting, and Messrs Howard c. Clagett and
7. 5. moore for the defendant Mr. Russell testi-
ned that the watch was taken from bis pocket at
an auction sale on Pennsylvania avenue rear 18th
street. Witness did not see the watch again tin
Detective Cox showed IT TO him some months after
wards. On croSsexamination witness said that he
olu not remember the exact date Of the occurrence
put ne reported the loss at Cnce to the police. w.
l. Riley testified that he kept q restaurant at 2Oth
May last for about two weeks, and he was Offering
to sell 1t for S. but finally sold 1t for g. On cross
examination witness said that Berry gave as rea-
son for wanting to sell the watch that he had a
sun OF clothes In piwn- John Kraft brother-in-law
OF Mr.. Riley, testified that he had had the watch in
possession, having bought it from Eddy Berry, and
he sold 1t to John Laggan for S. Berry said he got
the watch from young fellow. John Laggan tes-
tilted that he bought the watch In the latter part
OF May, and pawned it in october. Detective Cox
testified that the loss OF the watch was reported
April 9th, and he recovered 1t October 18th.
AN ALlB1.
Thomas Lucas testified for the defense that he
! was In the employment in April Of the Citizens
committee and the Department of Justice; that
Berry was In the habit Of meeting him in that
month and on the day in question they were in
h near the observatory, about the middle Of
about four O'Clock. The arrangement with the
committee ceased April 3Oth.
iCotuloIy was given that the watch was OF Old
make, which is now sold at $50.
Thomas DOnOhue testified that he had seen
Berry with the watch; that he brought it to his
place and asked for file, with which he filed the
name Oh.
. The defendant Berry took the stand and said on
MAJ Atm last he met Tom Chase, who offered sell
Ihe watch, and he took 1t to Donohue, who said it
was worth 81 TO IS, and he gave Chase "a for it, and
Ineh nled the name of. He wore the watch till
aDOut May 30th, and then sold it. Witness was
Win Mt Lucas in April, and on the 9th was at
Onarley Davenporos house, 23d and E streets, and
CIosS-examined.-Witne did not tell DOnohue
that ne stole the watch at an auction, and that
Lucas would swear an alibi
by The cOurt.-WitneSS went from here July 3Oth
10 cumberland; then worked on the railroad near
Connelisville, and returned here on a subpoena
Dnnohue was recalled, and testified that Berry
SAID lhat he stole the watch at an auction store,
ana that Lucas would swear an albi.
REMARKS OF THE COURT.
The case was then argued, and the court said
that according to Berrys own statement he was
De convicted OF that OfTenSe. The question for the
Jury to decide was: which is true the testimony OF
DonOhue or that OF defendant. Then he referred to
lne dD (the evidence OF Lucas, and said that they
could not nave been together all the time. They
were 10 decide however. the facts and If guilty
ne would regret that the penalty prescribed by law
Is SO light.
VERDICT AND SENTENCE.
The jury brought in verdict Of guilty OF petit
larceny.
The court said he was fully satisfied OF the pris-
oners guilt, and he only regretted that he had not
been convicted as indicted. The punishment six
months) was entirely too light for such man. out
Jail.