New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-29
SHE.a'S DEFENCE BEGUN
THE PROSECUTION IN THE TROY MURDER
TRIAL RESTS
AN ATTEMPT TO PROVE THAT ROLAND FIRED
THE SHOT THAT KILLED ROBERT
ROSS NORToN's OPENING FOR
THE PRISONER.

THE PRISONER.
Troy. June 2S.-On the reconvening this morning
of the court which Is trying Bat Shea for thu
murder OF Robert Ross. James VI. Adams again
placed on the stand. He described the fight at the
time Hoyner was elected from the polling place
The first revolver he saw drawn was that in Shea's
hand. Immediately after a shot was fired. but the
witness could not say who fired IT, Mr. Adams saw
four revolvers in all one man had two reyovers
one In each hand. Next the witness three men
running In a nor,hwesterly direction They were
coming out OIL the gully and Shea was a little
further west and south OF the other two-Robert
Ross and McGough. The witness continued:
McGough and Ross seemed 10 90 down together
and Shea started over 10 help McG0ugh. He was
firing mis- revolver when Mciolgh ana Ross went
ne moved east just at that time Boland
coming from the southwest out OF the same gully.
having got away from Ross. Boland was little
west OF shea and saw MIN aiming pow az Nc
one in each hand. When Boland aimed the blow
Shea was a little north and east Of Robert Ross /
back Of his head l think McGough was under
Ross at the time Shea frs; fired. After shea had
di1 not what direction he took. When Shea
fired the FIRST shot he was about six or eight feet
directed Ross. not sure how many
shots he fred then but think i was az least two.
lie 70 the east. turned. and. coming back. fired the
final shot. when he fired this shot Shea pointed
he stopped a little As the shot was fired Ross
head went forward. RE then straghtened lttle
forward. and when / ran over his head was hang
ing down II tn time the ma. sAot vas nred py
Shea. poland was west OF Ross fono"ing NC
Cough. AMI | know that he did not fire the shot.
The man who did fire II was Shea. have known
him for about year.
William Ross. 2i, was then called He is
cousin Of the deceased man. The witness said. In
the coursa Of his testimony
Just Robert got out Of the weeds on the edge
Of the pahwN he stumbled and sa2k , d2"n zoo
up close behind Ro091t and fire at The back Of his
this shot he circled und and fired again IN Rob,
IVES shot saw vest OF R2 n b ban5 5 1 but
Eugene NJ Partridge as called to the stand.
He said. in part:
saw a man behind Ross ! a shot at the back
three feet from Ross when he fired. He was run
Ming from the north. and pointed his revolver
had gone about twenty feet when saw the same
mar shea past Robert and south OF him.
his houer got at Robe f s them b stopped stepped
back two three feet. and fired again at Ross
This shot fred in front OF Ross
At the conclusion OF this witnesses testimony Mr.
Pagan announced thar the people rested.
Mr. Hit then renewed his request made at the
beginning OF the tria- that the prosecution be d.
rected 70 state which ~ the four counts Of the
Indictment the prisoner was 20 be tried. Inc court
said that Il would wait until after the evidence
was al In but Mr. HIT wished the question de-
ci led In order that the defence would know what
10 meet Mr. HIT argued that the counts which
charge shea with murder in the first degree IN
having killed Ross while the latter was endeavor-
Ing 20 arrest McGough. who had committed
felony could no.. under the evidence. be pressed.
There was considerable argument. but the Court
decided not to COMPEL the people 10 elect count
at present
The court then took a recess until 25J o'clock
when Mr.. Norton was 10 open for the defence
The peoples case had lasted ten days and during
that time slxty-nve witnesses have been sworn.
Mr. Norton in his opening FOR the defendant
trel 10 give a politica. coorng 10 the case and
declared that shea was the victim OF railroad
ing" scheme. ard that his counsel had not had
time - IroI eriy prepare his defence. M Norton
slid that Mr.. Pagan had attempted 10 shiit the
responsibility ~ repeating. and said.
The responsibility rests with this prosecuting at
'0rDev VINO has allowed this crime u repeating
- 10 on tor five years without doing his duty IL
may Dee that the Democratic party has Deen su''y
OF this crime. ] have no sympathy WIN ueth
b4li.ve that every man should have one vote ana
Only one and those who violate the law should De
sent 20 St?te prison. But this learned District Az
to-ney ma. evidently Just awakened 10 the iaSl
that repeating * a crime
Mr. Norton alluded - Mr.. Faean's reference to
religion as Indecent He asserted that the defend
ant had not attempted 70 "clothe himself IN no
mantle ~ the Roman Catholic Church" The de-
fence objected TO men who were \ 2 As, be-
cause they were religious fanatics ard carried re-
lgion into politics. Mr. Norton said he believer
Boand fired the shot that took Robert Ross lie