Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-11

placed on trial for his life yesterday. He
refused an offer to be allowed to plead vol
untary manslaughter, and will stand trial.
A boiler insurance case in which SIC, ,OOO
damages are wanted.
The trial of Andrew Heiser for the mur-
der of Charles Wilson on April "a, 1889,
was commenced yesterday before Judge
Slagle. Heiser is a married man about 40
years Of age, and at the time of the murder
was employed as a man of all work by Mrs.
Scott, a resident of Winebiddle avenue.
Wilson was colored, about 25 years of age
and single, and worked for Mr.. c, B. Nc
Cleane, who resides short distance from
Mrs. Scott On the day in question, Mrs.
Scott sent Heiser to Mr.. Mechanics to bor-
rlw an ak. Heiser and Wilson had dispute
and Heiser stabbed Wilson in the stomach,
causing Wilson'S death May 3D.
Yesterday morning was occupied in OBTAIN
ing Jury, the following being finally selec1ed:
A. ]. Voelbrecht j. B: onstatt Henry Hart
Thomas Hughes, oscar Hoffman, Lysander Fos-
ter, Michael Foley, George w. Smith, John Gil
more, Robert Caughey, Hugh Knox and Robert
r. Culp.
District Attorney Porter conducted the pros
ecution, and John s. Robb and Messrs. uthrle
Macrum and Martin appeared for the defense
A MILD OPENING.
District Attorney Porter opened the case,
merely defining the law and asking for YER
dict in accordance with the evidence.
James Marshall was the first witness called.
He said he was a teamster. and the day of the
cutting was driving along Winebiddle avenue.
He saw Heiser and Wilson coming out of
McCleane's place. They were talking loud
and turned down toward Penn avenue.
The colored man then struck Heiser twice on
the head. Heiser Immediately struck the col
ored man in the stomach. The colored man
then went back into McCleanes place and
Heiser went up the street. He told the witness
that he had cut the man and showed the knife.
Fritz Fisher, 8 boy. was the next witness. He
corroborated Marshall as to the occurrence
and said that after the cutting Heiser said:
That's the first man I've stuck and hope he'll
die"
Mrs Fisher and Thomas Mcconnell gave the
same testimony. Upon cross-examination the
witnesses said that when the two men came out
of McCleane's place, Wilson was few feet be-
hind Heiser and apparently driving him away.
Drs. Staub and Johnston testified as to the
nature Of Wilson'S wound. The cut was in the
center of the abdomen, and lacerated the lining
of the stomach, producing Inflammation. Will
son sank steadily, and died on May SU
NICE LEGAL POINT.
Alderman Porter testified to having taken
Wilson's dying deposition Just after the cut
ting. The admission of the deposition was OBJ
jected to by Mr.. Robb on account of the length
of time that elapsed between the taking of it
and Wilson's death. Judge Slagle reserved his
decision on the point
Police Captain Brophy produced the knife
q large pocketknife- which the cutting
had been done.
Mrs. Scott testified to having sent Heiser for
the az. and Mr.. McCleane testified to Wilson
working for him. At this point Court ad-
journed until morning. The defense, as indica-
ted so far, is self-defense.
District Attorney Porter yesterday was will
slaughter, but that Heiser refused to make
His attorneys advised accepting the offer, but
Heiser insisted on standing trial. He said that
after remaining in jail for seven months he
would not plead guilty to voluntary manslaugh-
ter, though he would to involuntary man
Slaughter