New-York tribune., 1896-07-23
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
JAMES GRIFFIN FREE.
THE CORONER'S JURY DECIDES THAI iHE
WOUND WHICH CAUSED HIS BROTHERS
DEATH WAS INFLICTED ACCIDENTALLY

WOUND WHICH CAUSED HIS BROlHEno ,
DEATH WAS INFLICTED ACCIDENTALLY.
The inquest into the death OF Joseph Griffin, the
rxteen-year-od boy who was fatally stabbed on
sunday by his twelve year-old brother James was
hsld Yesterday morning before Coroner Hoeber, in
,hs Coroner's Court The boys lived with their
wiaowed mother at No 81 Eas, Eighty-eighth-st
they left home together Sunday afternoon about
. O'clock TO go 10 Central Park 10 play ball AT
E.ghty-sixth-st and Secoud-ave quarrel arose be-
tween the two hoys 10 who should carry the
mask which was then In charge Of the e.der boy
There was a struggle for the mask In which the
:der boy fatally stabbed with penKnlfe nelo Dy
iis younger brother.
Al the inquest yesterday morning. Mrs. Griffin,
accompanied by Of her daughters. was in court
The mother dressed in hafmournng. and cried
bitterly all the time. Little James was brought in
tbout Il oc,ock. In charge Of one OF the agents OF
he Gerry Society He was represented by a lawyer
lanes ". Mclaughlin friend Of the family sat
bssde him and kept his attention in another quarter
the room from that in which his mother sat.
Several witnesses were called who the injured
10y In the drug store. where ne was carried after
be quarrel. and who were present when he died
Police Captain Dean said the boy told him that he
I'D not mean TO hurt his brother. but that in the
luarrel his arm was struck and his brother stabbed
accidentally. He then became frightened and ran
home end threw the knife out Of the window. DR..
E. A. Miller. Of No. 2i2 East Eigh;y-sixth-st.. 10
shose Office the wounded boy was taken. said that
asAer told him just before ne died that mis- brother
lad stabbed him DR.. Otto II. Schultze, the Cor
,ners physician. said he did not believe that the
s'end could nave been inflicted by the arm OF James
s,ng Knocked upward by the dead boy
ine two sisters of the boys, when called 10 the
aand told their sad story between their sobs and
siaed that the TWO boys had always been the best
friends and that could never go out without
ne other When the mother took the stand il seemed
Is though the heart of the little prisoner would
eak reak The mother looked the picture OF desoation
sao the son was soObing piteously Then the
oosne: burst into tears.
DO you think It possible for James to have
11aooed Joseph in a ht of anger" asked Coroner
noeoer. The mother answered in the negative. and
10 nat James had Always been the best OF boys.
lne coroner then addressed the Jurymen and
Slooed them that one had testified 10 having seen
ss blow struck and that the dead boy had not said
"a ae siabbing was intentional. After staying out
ssout ten minutes, they brought In verdict 10 ne
Mrct ma, the wound had been inflicted accidentally.
Maen the acquitted boy reached his home in com
,sny WIN MS mother and sisters the police had
go 80 tme 10 keep the crowds back. James cried
nttefy when he the body OF his dead brother in
, .s conn., but was led quietly out OF the room and
49, go ior walk The funeral Will be held this
N'ernoon al O'clock