The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-06-06
INSANE IN COURT.
Mrs. Moran Gives Sudden
Evidence Of De-
mentia.

There was au unusual incident In jus :
Jice O'Donnell's Court room this morn
ing. That iignitary was listening to one
of the Pennsylvania Railroad yardmen
testifvinR against Louis Broughton. who
was charged with breaking and entering
one OF the Pennsylvania Railroad cars
when an elderly woman, well dressed.
and wearing two miniature sAmerican
flags in her corsage, entered the court
room and walked up the aisle at a rapid
gait. Court Officer Bob" Pearson, who
is always on the alert. say the woman
coming. and as she was about to enter
the railing. which leads to the desk OF
the Judge, he intercepted her and politely
but firmly asked her TO take d seat out
side.
"All right. sir, I WILL the woman said,
In a loud voice, which caused the Gro wd
in III court room TO notice her. /.
The wo nan took a seat in the first row
of benches. She famed herself vigor-
ously, and her large gray eyes roamed in
an aiInless way about the court room for
awhile. Directly In front OF her was De-
tective Dalton aud q couple OF policemen.
Suddenly she seemed to take a great deal
of interest Ia BrouRhtou's case, and
tapped Detective Dalton on the shoulder
The detective turned around and rec
ogpized rhe woman as Mrs. Moran. the
keeper of a boarding house at Grand and
Hudson streets The detective knew
Mrs. Moran well. and was at a loss to un-
dersIand her visit to The court room.
ACTED QUEERLY.
Are they going TO haug that man?
They won't convict him, will they? She
ask ed.
Detective Dalton looked at her search
ingly. and sadly shook his head. Mrs.
Moran was evidently slightly demented.
He Quietea her for Il time. The attention
of several people in the court room had
been directed TO the women by this time,
and she was carefully watched. When
Broughton's examination had been con-
ciuded, and Court Officer Pearson was
about to lead him from the dock the
woman arose and held her right hand
aloft.
II want to be sworn" she aid 81
want to speak to the Justice before that
man ia condemned. He is not guilty n
should not be condemned"
Detective Dalg caught I'D of the
woman aud agans5quieted hey telling
her that the Justice woaId sEsher in a
few minutes. After all The casesvf Ga}11
had been disposed of the woman agaf
created a scene =
Detective Dalton ~endeavored to lead
her out Of the court room when shd
snapped out:-
1ndon't know you,s sir; go away fro m
want to see the Judge"
~ Re Judge says he will see you to-
mCE7Sw morning. said Detective Dalton.
Il tell sou 1 dou't know you," said the
Then, appsapg to the crowd in the
court room, $ said!-
Mus SEE H UDG
Il don't kN this a want to see
Justice QfDonnell nsse interrered and
told the wtman that he would see her to-
"An right. your Hnnbs." said the
woman, aid she walked out of the court
room with IA triumphant air.
Detective Dalton told the repoIs ers that
he was surprised at the sudden cha nge in
Mrs. Moran. He had known her for
several years. he said, ana had Fever
heard of her acting queerly before.
ROBBERY CAUSED IT.
A reporter for The JERSEY CITY NEwl
visited the vicinity of Grand and HUDSON
streets this morning. There he was told
.tbv one of the neighbors That Mrs. Moran
had given up her boarding house a short
time ago. About eight years ago Mrs.
Moran was robbed Of a considerableSum
Of money by Que of her boarders. aud
this, with family trouble, unsettled her
reason for a time. She was confiued in
the County Jail for a short period. but
was released. Since That time the neigh
bors say she has Appeared rational. They
ag ain DOM herself-