The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-01-15
RICHARDSON ACQUITTED
The jury Decided He Cut
Hoodlum Costigan in
Self-DefenSe-A Glad
Reunion.

Frank II. Richardson. of No. 3o5 Third
street. who killed John Costigan BY
stabbing him in the neck on November
"a, was acquitted yesterday by jury in a
trial for manslaughter During the trial
Counsellor Thomas +. Noonan looked
after Richardson's interests. After
the i've members Of the Lava Bed" gang
had testified against Richardson in a man
ner that indicated their desire for revenge
on the man VINO had killed one Of the
worst loafers Of their crowd, Richardson
took the stand. He told in a straightfor-
ward manner his tale and showed con
ciusiyely that he stabbed the young hood
lum in self-defense.
Counsellor Noonan when he appealed
to the jury 10 aequit his ciiens made the
oratorical effort Of his lite, and when he
concluded by saying, ITO convict Rich
ardson on the perJured evidence Of a gang
OF convicts. hoodlums aud malefactors is
70 put premium on hoodluuism, u
burst OF applause came from nearly every
one In the courtroom.
The jury were but few moments in
considering the evidence after they re-
tired.
WORTHY MoTHER-IN-LAw.
Richardson, though feeling keenly the
weight Of the charge against him has
held up manfully since the date Of his
arrest. His wife's alarm troubled him
more than the charge. During his incar-
ceration the pretty little dark-eyed woman
haunted the courts and the prison cell.
lime and again she Desought the judges
and the lawyers for some comforting
assurance that her husband would not be
condemned. She was usually accom-
panied by. her mother, H large portly
woman with very excitable tempera-
ment, who occassioned the officials con-
siderable trouble by her emotional plead
Jugs for her sOn-in-law's release.
When l visited Richardson's home in
Third street last night the old lady was
alone with Richardson's three-year-old
child. She recognized me as / entered the
room as one who called to enquire Tor par
ticuiars OF the aifray the night after It
happened.
Thank Godl thank Godr' was all she
could exciaim for some moments as she
rung her hands in almost an agony Of joy.
"Iney let him gol They let him goi 1ney
70 prlsoni Thank the Lordl Thank the
LordW
But where are Mr.. Richardson and his
wifer' / asked.
"Oh. they didn't send him to prison;
they didn't send him TO prison. lm SO
glad; I'm so glad" And the old lady sat
down almost exhausted on a chinlz-cov-
cred lounge.
HAS he been home since he left the
Court this afternoonS / asked.
mo, no. Hope he'll never come here.
We are all getting ready to leave. Don't
you see Pun already packing up. We
want TO get out of this place. We want
to get out OF this place."
Richardson's little barefooted child
climbed up on chair an commenced an
inCessant tattoo on the table with a tin
cup, as sort OF accompaniment to the
| ofd lady's remarks.
REUNITED.
l found Richardson at the pleasant
home OF his biothel-ln-Iaw at No. 81 Cot
tage street. IL was happy but quiet
gathering that met my gaze as l was
ushered into the parior. Richardson 5
brother-iu-iaw. his sister, his mother aud
mis- dark-eyed wife made up the group
Richardson's wife sat beside him, and
said nothing during my stay in the room;
but glad light that was beautiful TO see
shone in the glistening dark eyes
Richardson's face, TOO, was partially
flushed with glad excitement. He arose
to meet meet me as l entered the room,
and said ne wanted to thank The JERSEY
CITY NEWS for the fair and accurate ac-
count of the affair in which Costigan lost
his life. and the consequent trial. / left
the gIoup. congratulating Richardson
and themselves on the happy denoue-
ment of the trial