Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 December 1879 — A Singular Case. [ARTICLE]

A Singular Case.

Several weeks ago Robert Jeffrey, of this city, was robbed while asleep in the office of the Bull's Head Hotel, New York, of his gold watch and chain. John F. Cavanagh was arrested for the theft. He at first denied its commission, but subsequently upon the suggestion of the police sergeant in command of the station to which he was taken that he confess his guilt and give up the watch, he admitted his guilt and conducted an officer to the spot where he had hidden the watch. The two days’ trial of Cavanagh was concluded in the Court of General Sessions Tuesday afternoon, and resulted in the acquittal of the prisoner. His counsel argued that the confession was illegally obtained, and on • the authority of the People vs. Phillips, recently decided by the Court of Appeals and reported in the 42d New York Reports, and a host of other decisions, contended that the confession was clearly inadmissible as evidence, and that, notwithstanding the fact that the police officer was taken by the prisoner to where the property was concealed, as the confession was inadmissible the Judge should charge the jury to acquit the accused. Assistant-District-Attorney Herring and Judge Gildersleeve strongly reproved the police officials for their stupid action in the premises, and the motion of the counsel for the prisoner to take the case from the jury was granted. After Cavanagh’s acquittal he seemed dazed and cpuld scarcely realize how the jury founahim not guilty after his confession of having committed the crime.— New London (Ct) Gazelle. —A man can always write better than he can speajc. This is a rule of universal application. Even when a gentleman •stands on the hank of a stream, he gets no fish by speaking, though he be never so eloquent; but, on the other hand, if he just “ drops a line" to the finny tribe they respond with great alacrity.