The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1902-06-18
ERWIN s
RUFF|AN|sN
stung by Assistant
Vickers's Defeat in
a Case, the Prose
cutor Makes a
Scene.
RECKLESS
ACCUSATIs,..,,
Honor Of Jurors, Counsel
and a Sheriff's De-
putty Wantonly
Assailed.
POLITICS IN IT ALSO
Wicked Attempt to Make
Campaign Material by
Casting Aspersions on
the sheriff's Office.
POLITICS IN IT ALSO

Because a jury in the Court of Gem
erai Sessions yesterday refused to re-
turn verdict in accordance with the
wishes of Prosecutor Erwin and his as
s.stant. George T. Vickers, the former
created a disgraceful scene this morning
when he requested the discharge OF the
twclre Jurors for the term and inti-
mated that subpaenaes from his office
in CONNECTION with the case had not been
properly served by an attache OF the
court. Constable Michael Eagen, one OF
the most reliable officers connected with
the SherifT's office.
No direct charges were made and no
proof was adduced in support OF the IN
situations of the States lawyer, and
when Mr.. Erwin, as a semi-request, sug-
pested that hereafter processes from his
Office be served through other channels
than the Sheriff's office, Judge Blair
promptly refused to make such an order
and also declined to disgrace the twelve
Jurors by ordering their discharge. he
consented, however, to their standing
aside" until the matter was invesu-
gated esA
The proceeding suggested an attempt
to make capital for somebody's reap
pointment, at the same time excuse the
weakness of the States presentation OF
the case in question. Incidentally, the
fling at the Sheriff's office could be con-
strued as a weak attempt to make poll
teal capital for the coming Shrievaity
contest. In every respect the tempest
in the teapot" resulted in a boomerang. .
The case which resulted in the incident
Of this morning was that of Michae.
Curry and James Lyons, who were
charged with robbing Edward Fenner of
No. 95 Thorn street, Jersey City
Heights. at the corner Of Grove ant
Thirteenth streets. on April II last. The
testimony Of Fenner led to the Indictment
of the two men. They were defended
Yesterday by Assemblyman James Ham
mill and Lawyer Charles Egan, and the
State was represented by Assistant
Prosecutor yickers.
Mr. Vickers believed that he had
offered sufficient evidence 10 cause a
conviction ard when the jury returned
a verdict of not guilty he was greatly
surprised He reported the outcome of
tlie case to Prosecutor Erwin and told
his chief that he had been hampered in
tine trial Of the case by the non-appear-
ance Of two important witnesses-Pat-
rick Fox and Edward Kenny. for whom
subpoenas had been issued and sent to
the SheriGi's office for service.
Prosecutor Erwin appeared agitated
when. he appeared before Judge Blair at
the opening of court at ten O'Clock tn
morning. He arose, he said, to make a
statement to the court. He told of II
information he had received from Mr..
yickers. The verdict was clearly against
the weight of the evidence, he said His
Office had experienced difficulty in serv-
ing papers. The court should put stop
TO it. The case had gone off at the
ouest Of counsel for the accused once,
and when called the difficulty mentione
had been experienced. Mr. Erwin here
intimated that the subpoenas for til
witnesses, Fox and Kenney, had been in
trusted 10 CVnStaDie -hieHaei Eaech,
brother Of Counselor Charles Eagen. ana
that the relationship had influenced the
conddct and outcome of the trial. J
Erwin said that it was indicate for him
to speak as he did. Something should
be done. he continued. Il do not mind
meeting counsel at trial, but do not
want to be up against other influence.
Counsellor Eagen, who was in court,
arose and claimed the right to be heard
as unjust reflections had ben made upon