The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-05-29
The Mnnslaughter Trial.

peared for the defendant. 1t took some
time to select jury, both sides awaiting
themselves of the privilege of challenge.
Finally the following gentlemen were en-
panneled: Albert N. Dobbins, Mansfield;
Frank S. Jones, Southampton; Charles
Toy, Palmyra; Thomas Gehring, Chester;
Winfield Haines, Shamong; Jonathan P.
Brown. Delran; George Coleman, Mount
Laurel; Joshua 7. Bunting, Chesterfield;
Howard McConahay, Burlington town
ship; Samson France, Springfield Collins
Haines, Cinnaminson; Victor Bush, Penn
berton.
Prosecutor Atkinson opened the case
for the state and said he would show that
on the night of Saturday, February 10,
Earling went to the. home of Mullen and
after being there short time, suggested
that some liquor be bought He contrib
uted half dollar and liquor was bought
at the hotel in Centreton. When it was
brought to the house Mullen and Earling
lplayed cards and then more liquor was
bought, Mullen going after it. Earring
left the house but did not go home. When
Mullen returned from Centreton he found
Earling in the road waiting for him.
George Fread, man who had met Null
len at the hotel, was coming with him and
the three went to Mullen's house. Mrs.
Mullen, who had gone to bed, came down
and they all drank She went to bed, but
was soon after awakened by the noise of a
scuffie, and on going down stairs, saw
Earring strike her husband with an iron
last. She stepped between the two men
and Earling hit her with piece of a chair.
In the melee lamp was upset and the
room took fire. The blow inflicted upon
Mullen caused his death.
James Lippincott, surveyor, of Mount
Holly, was the first witness. He had
made a map of the interior of the house
where the deed was DONE He explained
it to the jury.
John McCulley, resident of Willing
boro township, was at Mullen's house on
the evening in question. He went for an
overcoat which Mrs. Mullen had been re-
pairing for him. Earring was there and
after short time suggested that they get
some liquor. A dollar was contributed
and Mullen and McCulley went to Centre
ton to get it, They had one or two drinks
over the bar and got pint of apple and a
pint of rye to take home. After Mullen
and Earring had played three games OF
cards it was suggested that more liquor be
purchased, and another contribution was
taken. McCulley went home and did not
see anything more until Sunday morning
when he went to the house again. He
saw some broken chairs then. Mrs.
Mullen drank a great deal on Saturday
evening and when witness saw her on Sun
day she looked very haggard and had the
appearance of crazy woman, or one I'M
der the influence of liquor
James Brennan, the hotel keeper at
Centreton, fixed the time when Mullen
left his house the last time He admitted
that he sold liquor by the quart, which
caused the court to inquire whether Bren- |
nan had wholesale license. He replied |
that he had not, and when Judge Gaskill |
asked him if he did not know he was vlo- |
latlng the law in selling liquor not to be
drunk over the bar, he could not answer,
The Judge said he would take notice OF |
this matter later.
Mrs Mullen, wife of the deceased, was
the next witness. She told how McCulley |
came to the house and went with her hus-
band after liquor. Earring remained at
the house and lay on the lounge and she
worked at the sewing machine. On their
return all drank, and after awhile the men
went out for more liquor. She went to
bed When they returned there were
three of them, Mullen. Earring and George
Freed. She went down stairs and had
some drink and then went back again.
There was noise of scuff1e down stairs
and she went to see what was the matter
When she got to the foot of the stairs she
saw Earring with Ratchet in one hand
and an iron last in another, and with an
oath he declared he would kill Mullen.
She saw Earring strike Mullen on the
head with the last Then he picked up
chair and tried to hit Mullen, but Mrs.
Mullen ran between them and received
the blow on her arm. Mullen fell forward
to the floor and did not get up. The lamp
was broken and the sewing machine and
curtains were set on fire. After putting
water on the flames Mrs. Mullen got pill
lows and blankets and laid her husband
on them George Fread was there during
the fight. On Sunday morning Mrs. Null
len attempted to get her husband to the
lounge. He complained about his head.
During Sunday, Leonard Earring, son of
the defendant, went to the house after the
last which belonged to his mother. The
witness was put through rigid cross ex-
animation by Mr.. Sooy. She said she had
lived in the neighborhood for 10 years.
In answer to questions about being in
Burlington she said she had not been in
that city since she was a child, and had
never been in the lookup there. She had
been married twice, and had son by her
first husband This boy went to her
house on Sunday but she would not let
him in; she did not want him to see the
house in the condition it was then in. Mr..
Sooy asked the witness if she did not |
have conversations with Mrs Mason after |
the occurrence in which she said she was
going to leave Mullen and asked Mrs. |
Mason to give her money to get away |
with; if she had not said Jim is asleep |
and l wish to God he never wakes up,
To both of these questions the witness in
dignatly replied in the negative The
last question caused fit of crying which
lasted long time, the witness saying ''it's
a lie, lie " Witness also denied having
refused to call DR.. Martin because he had
already killed one husband for her. Mr.
Sooy asked several other questions for the
purpose of contradiction.
DR.. W. P. Melcher told of going to the
Burlington County Hospital in response
to notification that patient had been ad-
mitted who needed especial attention. He
found the man unconscious, with slow,
labored pulse and all the symptoms OF
compression of the brain. There was
j -. AZ he ol- Of tho boad ahOua the