The sun., 1900-06-22
HALLE GUILTY OF MURDER,
ONLY A PLEA or INSANITY FOR THE
DEFENCE AND NO EVIDENCE.

Jury Out Less Than Half an Hour-Couns
VIII Endeavor TO Get New Trial the
Ground That the Proceedings Were Hurried
-Prosecution Calls II Merciless Murder
After being out scant half hour the Jury In
the case OF Aaron Halle on trial before Justice
Fursman In the Criminal Branch Of the Sii.
preme Court for killing Mamie Branngan in
Reinhardt Il Co.'S department store at Eighty.
sixth street and Third avenue. on May II.
brought in a verdict Of murder In the first de-
gree at noon yesterday. The verdict was
expected by all who have followed the case.
Halle evinced no emotion at the verdict and
did not even raise his head when II was pro-
nounced. He seemed unconscious or needless
OF the meaning OF the foreman's words His
counsel, Abraham Levy. said that he hoped
to get new trial on the ground that this one
was improperly hurried. 1t Is one Of the swift
est murder trials on record. the entire pro-
ceedinRs. after the selection OF the jury. having
taken UP only three sessions. two mornings
and one afternoon
Before District Attorney Mcintyre closed
for the prosecution on Wednesday he got per-
mission TO call yesterday the Coroner's ply
sician who had made the autopsy and one
other witness. who was TO show premedta-
ton. Coroners Physician Weston was 40
cordingly called yesterday and proved tho
death. Then Margaret GoldsburR. with whom
Mamie Brannigan lived at os West iosd street,
was called and gave testimony showing that
Halle had had In mind the killing OF Mamie
before the day OF the murder.
-Onc day Mamie and were going to church.
she said. when Halle called. II was on May
1. He asked her where she was going and
she told him. lie wanted her to go with him.
l.ttf anA ah.a
he said in very threatening tones. You 90.
I'm willing to do ten years for you At that time
he showed q pistol Mamie was frightened
Is, that the only time he ever threatened her''
No, said the witness. .One time he came
in the hallway. ] couldn't hear what they
said but he had a revolver and ! think he
threatened 10 shoot her. for she ran upstairs
screaming
On cross-examination the witness said that
she understood that Halle and Miss Bran.
seneraliy @ Frs came there When the Witness was
not at home.
DR.. Ferguson. who had analyzed the pills
found on Halle after the murder was present
and the prosecution wanted him called, but
the defence wouldn't assent TO II. IL had been
the contention OF the defence that Halle had
committed the murder while under the inlu
ence Of morphine in the pills. Dr. Fergusons
analysis showed however. that the pills were
strychnino pills, tonic.
despite the statement formerly made by the
defence that witnesses would he called to show
insanity in iIalles. family. Lawyer Levy
made an appeal for the prisoner. based on the
assumption that he was not OF sound mind
when he shot Mamie Brannigan. While his
LAWYER yas, speaking Halle wrlnkled his fore
head and few tears ran down his cheeks.
summing up for the prosecution Mr.. Mcn-
tyre said that there was no room for mercy
less and cod-blooded a murder as could well
be imagined, Halle showed no pity for his
victim, but shot her down after she was rum
5 oh Ed don't fpoe don't q M Mr. T BraSnsas. S G the
dead girls mother sobbed audby and Halle
ever and tears streamed down his cheeks
~ is alleged that this defendant is insane
."but want YOU gentlemen TO ask yoqrseve:
u there was anything insane about the way
he SET about this. murder, Did he not show
action? Was there anything to show that
his faculty OF Judgment was impaired when
he shot down that defenceless airli II Halle
would have the witness stand occupied for
hour after hour with able alenists to prove
i. But the whole nature Of the crime shows
that Il was the work Of reasoning being who
realized fully what he was doing and relens-
went Sat MOST Most Of those in the os coSrt aI
an immediate verdict. and even the lawyers
FOR the, defence did not express themselves
nOpelullV. III was n Ittle dltsT o CLOCK Wnen
the jury returned, In response 20 the Judges
order Halle rose and turned toward the Jury,
but could hardly be said to have faced them
as he still hung his head.
Gentlemen OF the jury. what Ia your ve1
dlcty" asked the clerk.
Murder in the first degree answered the
foreman. quietly.
Halle made no movement, but resumed
his seat in obedience to a whisper from his
lawyer. Mrs. Brannigan broke into sobs.
Justice Fursman set Monday as the day for
sentence, The prisoner was led away bv
a court officer, walking with his eyes on the
ground and his head bent 30 that his chin az
most rested on his chest After court adj
journed LAWYER levy said.
i think without doubt we will get a new
this trial without adequate time for prepare.
ton"