New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-12
BEDELL WILL NOT ANSWER.
COMMITTED FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT.

RESPECTFUL TO JUSTICE o'BRIEN AND MR.. ROOT,
DUT REFUSING TO REPLY TO EITHER.
sensation was created in the Supreme Court
Chambers, yesterday by the fiat refusal of James
E. Bcdcli to answer any questions upon his ex-
animation as witness before trial in the suit of
Shipman, Barlow, Larocque 4 Choate against the
Bank OF the State Of New-Yorlx TO recover the
money paid to Bedell on forged checks. Bedell
taken TO court a writ Of habeas corpus
for the purpose of being examined, in accordance
with order issued by Justice O'Brien lie
in the custody of Keeper Frank Smith. and
appeared TO he cool and collected.
The law firm. whose customers have suffered
by the swinding operations in fraudulent mort
cages conducted by Bcdell, was represented by
Elihu Root. William Allen Butler. Stephen z.
Nash and other lawyers appeared for the de-
fendant bank and other banks whose interests are
involved in the suit After some discussion as
TO the place where the examination should pro-
ceed il was decided that il should go on at once
In open court.
When This was settled Bedell arose and asked
the Judge il he might say word. Being answered
in the Affirmative he said, with a clear voice.
most respectfully decline to testify in this case
The lawyers on both sides seemed to be taken by
surprise. After moments pause Mr. Root told
Bedell TO take seat in the witness chair Bedeh
obliged and this conversation ensued:
Mr.. Root-what is your name?
The witness-I decline 70 answer
Mr.. Root (sterny)-On what grourds1
The witness-I decline to state the grounds
Mr. goot-I ask the Court direct the witness 70
answer
Justice o'Brien-Bedel. you must state the grounds
The wItness-I respectfully refuse TO answer
Mr. Root asked questions about the checks, but
Rcdel refused 10 answer or TO examine the checks
Mr. Root-How long IS 1t since you determined not to
tcstifyl
The witness-I refuse 10 answer
Mr. Eoot--Have you had interview with the oniccrs
OF the bank, interested in this suit?
The wtness-I refuse to answer.
Mr. Root-Have you had interview with MI.
Palmer Of Broadway Bank and did he request you
10 keep your mouth cosei2
The witness-I decline
Mr.. Root made further inquiry on this point.
II was objected by the opposing counsel that TINS
was immaterial Mr. Root sharply re-
piled that he had sworn that Presl-
dent Palmer. of the Broadway Bank, had
called upon Bedcll and asked him to refuse TO
testify The Judge told Mr. Root to proceed
with the examination. All the forged checks
were handed to a court officer TO be shown 10
Bedeu. but the latter again declined to look at
them or say anything about them. AS 1t seemed
to be impossible to get answers from Bedel, Mt
Root asked for reasonable adjournment so that
Bedell might have time TO repent OF his 3D.
s;inacy.
Justice O'Brien said that Bedell had been
ruilrv of gross violation of the dignity of the
court The witness is prisoner in the
Tombs." he proceeded, and l don't know what
further punishment can be inflicted
M Root said that Bedell might be dis
charged from the Tombs admitted to bail, he
fcI: it his duty to move for his commitment Tor
contempt At Mr.. Roots request the Judge d.
rected Bedel again to answer the first question
lie refused, and the Judge committed him. The
examination was then adjourned for one week.
Bedelrs case set down for pleading before
Judge Cowing in Part l. General Sessions After
his examination before Justice OBrlen he was
closetsd with Assistant Dlstrict-Attorncy Hart
man in the latter's private Office and later sent 70
the Tombs lie will not appear IN court 10 pieao
on the indictment of forgery until Monday, when
il is said that he will put in a plea of guilty