New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-06
PTTMAN GUILTY OF MURDER.
TO END HIS LIFE BEHIND PRISON BARS.
TIE JURY FINDS A VERDICT OF MURDER IN THE

THE JURY FINDS VERDICT OF MURDER IN THE
SECOND DEGREE-A KNIFE IN HIS SHOE.
Francis W. Ptman was found guilty last night OF
murder in the second degree in killing his daughter
Rachel on August 4, at No IS JaclSonst. Recorder
smyth committed the to the jury at 80 p. IN
The verdict was reached about rs and about twenty
minutes later Recorder Smyth arrived In the court
room Pitman faced the jury with quick eager look.
Have you agreed a verdict?' the jury was
asked and as the question was put, Pitman glanced
about the room and apparently regancd his composure
The words 1--WE find tho prisoner guilty Of murder In
tho second degree seemed to produce no effect on the
murderer lie unmoved, apparently as the
most passive spectator in the room. The only nerV-
BUSINESS he betrayed slight rcstiessnesS Oh MS
eyes and an occasional movement of his head After
the verdict had boon rendered Pitman followed the
officers out Of the court with quick step. The jury
took seven or eight ballots On the first the vote stood
six for murder in tho first degree two for murder IN
the second degree and four for manslaughter In the t
degree. The next ballot gained one vote Tor MURDER
In the second degree, and the next thfoe OF ioui
ballots stood nine for murder In the secohu oesroe'
The testimony had been finished on the previous
day and ex-senator Ecclesine had made tho closing
argument for the defence Assistant DstriceAttorney
Fitzgerald urged upon tho jury Sos'or-
day the discriminating facts brought out
by the evidence. The story told by inc
prisoners daughter, he said, was simple and evioeny
truthful though she had endeavored to smoothe over
the points that bore against her fathers general con-
duct to his family The evidence Of premedtation he
said was overwhelming. The visit to MISS frcam
rooms the possession OF tho pistol the threats uttered
in the presence of Michael Clark, and the inquiries
addressed to his daughter as to when Rachel would
return were all referred to evidences OF Pitmans
design to kill his daughter The defence OF INSANITY
was rdIculed. The prisoner had clear memory when
he wished to have and only forgot those things "sh
he could explain If he had acknowledged that nc
remembered them. Mr.. Fitzgerald denounced fitman
for his brutality to the members of his family lie
compelled his daughters 90 to work at an early age
frequently beat them and treated his wife roughly
Toward the close of Mr. Fizseralds address, he sald
referring TO the evidence to Rachers purity Yet
NOT a single member of the family but has ntimated
that she has done wrong. Not one put pehe'eo hor
MIS- Pitman, the prisoners wife, WHO was seated in
the rear Of the room sprang up as 1naI rzserad
court officer tried make her sit down. but she called
No, Mr. Fitzgerald that is not true. said myself
1t not so. You have no right to make such words
CAPTAIN Curry and the court officers succeeded in
removing Mrs Pllman from the room. me prisoner
sat- for part Of the time in his iayOo position with
his head between his hands, but sometimes he leaned
Recorder smyth in his charge to the Jury reviewed
the evidence Carefully He read ron tne 4ba
question of insanity considered at some length
The jury told that the reasonable doubt when
Grade e." So si that # The Jurors had doubt hs
guilt of murder and none as to his guilt OF @
VI 49,
of every crime of which he could be convicted ,
Captain Curry of the Court Squad, received IN
formation the Tombs late in the afternoon wnich
led him to follow Pitman into the prison pen AFTER tho
trial was over am told" said Captain Curry TO
Pitman {" that you have a knife about you and pc
lleve it is in your shoe. Now, Frank, give me thas
Knife" ,,,.....,,
Then Captain Curry began to search P1tmans
pockets Pltman suddenly made movement as roo 70
get something out of his shoe. The captain was 700
quick for him, however, and catching Pitman mana,
lie took from the nurdercrs shoe a knife WIN TWO
blades one was three inches long. Piman sad that
It had been in his possess on since no had oeen IN te
Tombs He was much downcast over the discovery.