New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-12
HIS DEFENCE IS INSANITY.
EDWARD CLIFFORD ON TRIAL FOR THE
MURDER OF WILLIAM G. WATSON.
STORY OF THE SHOOTING OF THE DIVISION
SUPERINTENDENT OF THE WEST SHORE

SUPERINTENDENT OF THE WEsI Shohc
RAILWAY TOLD IN COURT
The trial of Edward Clifford, the detective for the
murder Of William G. Watson, division superin-
tendent of he West Shore Railway, was begun yes
terday In the Hudson County Court OF oyer ana
Terminer The trial aroused unusual interest and
the courtroom and gallery were crowded. The de-
PENDANT was pale and nervous and mopped MS lore
head as he entered the room. although It was cool
He was defended by ex-Judge HOFFMAN, William
Speer IT, and Judge Paxton. The interests OF the
State were looked after by Prosecutor Winheid:
The bench was occupied by Justice Lppincou ana
Judge Hudspeth.
The case was tried before struck jury IL was
a dlstaseful duty for the jurors summoned ana
they endeavored to persuade the Court 10 release
them various pretexts. Several pleaded urgent
and important business. This excuse was rejected.
Ex-Assemblyman Frank o. Cole pleaded physical
disability but the Prosecutor smiled and said No
when asked If he would consent to excuse ha' an.
Cole was sworn. William j. Clarke declared ne MAJ
conscientious scruples against capital punishment.
This did not excuse him, and as the Prosecutor dio
not challenge him he also sworn. one juror.
Robert Allen. claimed exemption because ne haa
served as volunteer fireman, but the Court he'u
that the statute does not apply to struck JuroFs
and he was sworn Ex-School director JON" -
VOORHEES, looked appeal.ngy first at the Prosecutor
then at the counsel for the defence wnen ne was
called They were mute and he sighed ana SHOOK
his head sadly when sworn as juror.
The fury in the order chosen are: Robert Aleu-
William j. Harrison William j. Clarke. Henry
Albers Frank b. Jones, Joseph W. kIdd' John D.
VOORHEES,. Thomas J. DAILY. Frank o. Cole, JeHer-
son McWillams Frederick Z. Tilden ana John
Holmes
Prosecutor Winfield in opening outlined the case
for the State. clifford. he explained had been EN-
poyed as a detective by the West SHORE fairoad
COMPANY and was dismissed on March Tor neg'ec'
of duty That night he uttered threats against '"s
division superintendent, william u Watson, anu
the following day called three times at Mr. watt
cons office in the railway station at "eehawHe"
before ne saw him, as Mr. Watson was III Ne"-
Work on business Mr. Watson returned fe"
minutes after o'clock on the afternoon OF March
g. Clifford entered few minutes later mad soins
words with Watson, and when ASKED ior me- TO-
ports arose and, drawing his pistol SAD; nero
are nv reports" and fired The SHOT entered inc
abdomen Watson seized him and he again hred:
Watson was removed to the Roosevelt hosp''~'
IN New-York. where he died on March TO-
The only witness Of the shooting was Jonn b.
SHANE who was employed as stenographer py '"e
division superintendent He testined that |hioio
sat In the place reserved for vis!tors LOT I" ie"
minutes until Mr.. Watson looked over some papers
and said. well. Mr.. Clifford what can do Tor
vou?" clifford entered and, handing his letter OK
a,s,,ssal n Mr. Watson said II received this
Yesterday" Mr. Watson read It and said, Ihat
mans tust what 1t says" Clifford then accused
Mr. Watson of having grudge against h'ir' anc
with having kept tabs" on HIM Mt " alison Sao
that he had had no desire to have anything 20 oo
with him since his dismissal two years peiore.
when Clifford boosted he would be renstatea ana
was successful through influential friends VINO IN
,erceAed FOR him. Mr. Watson said that the COM
plalnt this time had come from headquar'ers' aic
he had thoroughly investigated II ana Khe" al y,
Cl,nord's movements. He said he felt sorry iof
Clifford and had no Ill feeling in the matter Nni-
laI
anS Wattson said that II was a lie. He asked Tor
S,ufords reports and clifford arose and SAID here
The witness heard the click Of the pistol ana
looked I'm as clifford fired. Mr. Watson exclaimed.
nieae, "a eranned With CLIFFORD The witness fed
give the alarm and heard the seeonu iei'' - WV
P'f Policeman Bowen deposed that Clifford sur, sur,
rendered him. excaiming, I'm done i3r; , ov IN
shooting informed him that he had been ascnSfsssu;
and remarked, I'm going 10 nave II ou' Win ''
Dr. osler. of Roosevelt testified that the bullet
had perforated two each OF no snal.t anu &c g.
formed but the shock 80 great that the stonacn
could not retain food and other metnous ~
he said that the operation had been successful a.
the wounds that had been sewed had healed. III MS
that the nourshnent should have been gwen n IN
could not retain it, DR. Weston. vino conducted
the AUTOPSY gave his o2n9n mat d b Ha wS entered
the back at the LETT shoulder blade ana Ioaseu ~
the shoulder County Physician Converse was OF
the opinion that the wound In the Abdomen MAS
probably inflicted while Watson was sitting INC
wound in the back he said. might have been Inade
while Watson STOPPING. This last oplnion
was ELECTED by the defence, who desire 10 snow
that Il was the first that entered the BACK ana
Il was not until Watson seized him tnat Ch1ord
fired the fatal shot. Co. T.,
The prosecution closed and Counsenor Speer. IN
opennc for the defence said that they WouN snow
that clifford had been in ill-health. and had taken
stImulants so excessively that his mind had been
Watson to get the pay that due him, ana
had made an engagenent on his return from calling
on Watson to go to New-York with friend Inc
defence produced about thirty witnesses VINO had
known CT ford for from three TO thirty years ana
who declared that his reputation as a good ana
nearea Bile citizen had been OF the best Dr. Byrno
tos,,asd that he attended clifford three years ago
90 ling troubies He saw clifford two nights be-
FORE the shooting and clifford acted as II on tho
verge OF dellrium tremens. . -, -.
The trial vii! close to-day. ChHord Will De put
ON the stand this morning