Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-28
NOT ANXIOUS TO TALK
sO'Brien Hesitates About Giving Evi-s
dence Against Stevens.
,GOEHRING PRODS UP HISsMEMORY.
Dog Catchers Will Commence the Awful
War This Morning.
SPICY BITS OF NEWS FROMtTwo CITIES.

Charles W. stevens, the saloon keeper, was
placed on trial yesterday before Judge Col
lier on the charge of aggravated assault and
battery on Anthony O'Brien. Mr.. O'Brien
is the man who has sued ex-County De-
tective Langhorst to recover $500 which, he
alleges, he paid Langhorst to secured his son
immunity from arrest.
The attorney for Stevens was A. H.
Rowand, Esq, who is also O'Brien's attor-
ney in the suit against Langhorst. The trial
yesterday occupied but short time, but it
was an annoying case for Attorney Goehring
who was conducting the prosecution.
O'Brien, the prosecutor. was unwilling to
testify and his testimony had to be dragged
out and was given in a hesitating, contra
dictory manner.
The case was the result of quarrel be-
tween Stevens and O'Brien while on their
way from East Liberty to town in a car
riage.
O'Brien was called to the stand and at
once said that he did not wish to prosecute.
'Did you make this information" asked
Judge Collier.
81 did," replied O'Brien.
"Then you had better answer the ques-
tions. You will be treated here as other
people are"
Attorney Rowand here wanted the case
nolle pressed, the prosecution be ing willing.
Attorney Goehring was not willing, how
ever, and Judge Collier directed the case to
go on.
O'Brien was placed in the witness box and
Attorney Goehring said
DID NOT LIKE THE QUESTIONS.
"Now, sir, did the defendant strike you,
and if so when and where?''
O'Brien-I do not like to say. 1 wish 1 did
not have to tell. Mr.. Stevens and are good
friends.
Mr.. Goehring-Your Honor, insist that
the witness answer.
Judge Collier-You had better answer.
O'Brien then stated, in q reluctant man.
the East Liberty stock yards. When they
reached Sixth street they had some words
and Stevens hit him and he hit Stevens. The
witness was not hurt very much, he thought.
In answer to the question if there was any
blood flowed, he first said no, and then that
there was a little"
He admitted, when questioned further,
that he had not worn the suit of clothes he
had on that night since, but it was because
he had others and not that they were bloody.
Mr. Goehring then asked O'Brien if he had
been hurt or marked any before or since the
quarrel last May. O'Brfen said no.
At this Mr.. Goehring pulled O'Brien close
up to the jury box and pointed to a scar
above his eye asking him if Stevens had not
made it.
O'Brien guessed so' and also admitted to
blow on the back of the head.
The witness WAS finally allowed to retire.
Officers Glenn and McAvoy were called and
testified to finding the men fighting in the
carriage and arresting them.
Stevens, the defendant, took the stand and
told his side of the story. O'Brien had been
coming to town by some friends of Stevens
On the way in O'Brien suggested going to
Allegheny, but Stevens objected. Stevens
Sixth street, near the bridge. O'Brien was
trying to rob him and struck him. He then
hit O. Brien and put him out of the carriage,
O'Brien striking him with handy billy. He
supposed that in hitting O'Brien his ring cut
him, causing the bleeding.
LOST HIS CHANCE TO TALK
While Stevens was testifying O'Briens
countenance underwent a change at the
statements about robbery" and handy
billy. He glared at Stevens and said to Mr.
Goehring: "Put me on the stand now. I'll
tell you all about it" O'Brien was recalled,
but his opportunity was gone and he could
only rebut statements made by other wit
nesses. He denied the robbery or that he
had used handybilly, and said that Stevens
struck him first.
Mr.. Goehring- you have handybillyf
O'Brien-No, sir. All had was $2
O'Brien-No, sir.
This concluded the testimony.
Attorney Rowand made but brief ad-
dress to the jury. He said that it was only
an affair between the two men. They had
both been arrested and it cost them $50 EACH
They were now friends and had no ami
mostly.
Mr.. Goehring followed. He said that he
did not represent either O'Brien or Stevens
in the case. but the Commonwealth. He
scored O'Brien as reluctant witness and
said that Stevens should be convicted, not
for hurting OBrien, but for violating the
law.
Judge Collier delivered short charge, re-
ferring to the testimony of both O'Brien and
Stevens. 1t was rather against Stevens, and
the jury retired. They came in shortly after
with verdict of not guilty, and divided the
costs between O'Brien and Stevens.