New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-19
ESCAPES WITH HIS LIFE.
DIR. HENRY c. F. MEYER CONVICTED OF
MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE.

Juror HELD OUT AGAINST A CAPITAL
CONVICTION - LITTLE PROBABILITY or AN
APPEAL AN ALI-NIGHT SESSION IN
THE JURY-RooM - MRS. MEYER
TO BE TRIED IN JUNE.
Dr. Henry c. F. Meyer was convicted OF nuIuei
IN the second degree in the Court or Genera oes
sions yesterday The result was surprise 10 ,ne
prosecution which confidently expected Ne'u'0.
OF murder in the first degree, and 1t was receiver
with relief and considerable satisfaction by those
Interested I'm the defence, who had been hopihs
almost against hope for disagreement as 10 'he
lternatve OF a capital conviction when seeih,1
10 be the result generally expected lhere Is 'I''e
doub. that one Of the most dangerous shlH"i an"
coldbooded mprderers Of modern tifn's
electric chair only through the point blank refusal
OF Wilhelm Hlldenbrand. civil engineer OF no
broadway one Of the jurors, 70 consent 10 a con-
viction Of murder in the first degree
The case was given to the Jury az 9IV O'Io'h
Thursday evening and Recorder SmytA who pres'ueu
over the trial determined TO wait at the courthouse
until the Jury agreed apparently being OF the opih-
ion that prompt verdict would be given. ABOUT
1880 a. m the Jury asked for specimens oil Dr'
Meyers handwriting and the prescription LOT POI
son alleged to have been written by MN Zen
minutes later the Jlry asked for the testimony
in the case. Recorder Smyth refused 10 send the
stenographer's report TO the jury.
AT i've minutes before O'Clock the jury retireu
and the Recorder went home. leaving Instructions
that the jurymen be locked up Then began one OF
those a,l-night sessions, which can on'Y De ulu''
stood by one who has served on jury WIN Ten
mr. eleven obstinate men. About o'clock yesterday
morning the talk in the juryroom ceased anu '"e
court attendants knew that an agreement had Dee"
reached
The Recorder opened the court at IL a m AS
sistant District-Attorncy Mcintyre represented the
people Mr.. Brooke. Or. OSullivan and MI Chal-
Ter sat near their client. DR.. Meyer who showed
signs of the great tension to which his nerves were
subjected but who controlled himself ad"raoN'
as he had done throughout the trlal. Inc prisoner
showed signs Of agitation when the foreman an
nounced that the jury had agreed. but the second
announcement that the conviction was Only ]" inc
second degree was great relief 10 him
Mr. Brooke made the formal motion Tor new
trial and the argument upon 1t set down for
June J. Dr. Meyer then taken back TO the
Tombs.
Ii is almost certain that serious effort Will be
made 10 secure trial for Or. Meyer or -
have his case reviewed by the Court Of Appeals
1t is believed that he is extremely lucky to nave
escaped with his lifeAand hat the chances are mat
he would arrive in the electric chair II ne were 20 DC
tried again. The opinion was expressed yesterday
by those who had been Closely identhed win ''e
case who know the Recorder and Or. Meyer that
II the Recorder were asked set aside the verdict
as contrary 10 the evidence he would do So on the
ground that the verdict should have been murder
in the first degree.
Mr. MCINTYRE said yesterday that Mrs Meyer
would be put trial in June He said there was
more evidence against her than against her nus
band Mr. Mcintyre has damaging letters written
by Mrs. Meyer. which could not be used against heT
husband. but which be used against her ~. q,
Mr. Hndenbrand was seen at his Office. No: j
broadway Yesterday afternoon. He refused to give
the details OF the bal,oiing. as he sad 'hat a. oae
United that. he IN favor OF verdict OF man
slaughter. He said NAT It was win the greaIs ,
In he
theft verdict and that they did so only to escape
Joshua Van Veen. the eleventh juror az first
supposed TO have been opposed TO a verdict OF
murder in the first degree ana the statement '.se
he was. credited 10 Mr.. Mcintyre. appeared IN me
early editions Of the evening papers. Mr.. Van
Veen went 10 Mr.. McIntyres Office and not finding
him he wrote 10 the Assistant District Atlorhe.
saving that the statement that he had been OPP
posed TO verdict of murder in the first degree
was at variance with the fects.
The crime for which DR. Meyer was convicted
was the murder of Ludwig Brandt ne SLOT!
which the prosecution set forth OF the most
cod.hIoode1 In recent criminal history. and has
been fully printed several times The case aSails,,
Never was first tried last December me tLlai
maticallv as Mr. Brooke summing up for the
defence. one Of the jurors becoming Noleh'y IN
sane.
DEPUTY SHERIFF LEONARD DISMISSED.
Sheriff Sexton has dismissed Deputy Sheriff Will
lam Leonard the man who took Mrs. Meyer wife
of Dr. Meyer into saloon while on the way from
the Tombs prison 70 General Sessions. Mrs Meyer
accompanied by Mrs: SchwaD. anothrI p ii soi
err Meyers counsel said In court that he believed
On attempt had been made to drug MIS- Meyer
while she was in the saloon Leonard deiehce is
that Mrs. Meyer asked him TO take her mo ne
place for a cup of coffee. and he did So When she
got inside. however, she ordered red wine.
LENG THENING TIE GUNBOATS.