Proceedings of the Courts.
Hustings Court, Saturday, Dec. 13
--Recorder Jas. K. Caskie Presiding.--John M. Michie was tried for shooting at John J. Crawford, corner 13th and Main streets, a few months since, to the disturbance of the public peace.
The jury found defendant guilty, and fined him $500, which he paid.
The Court declined to add any imprisonment.
It will be remembered that in the affray between these parties Crawford shot Michie through the face with a pistol bullet.
Dick Duff, a dangerous character, in jail on suspicion of committing a murder on 17th street, was tried for making his escape therefrom on the 14th of August last.
The law makes an escape a penal offence when ‘"force and violence"’ is used to effect the object.
That both were used by Duff and his comrades, was proved to the satisfaction of the jury who tried the case.
Defendant being found guilty, was sentenced to three months imprisonment.
Mr. Beverley R. Wellford, Jr., addressed the Court at some length in support of an application submitted by him for a new trial in the case of the girl Margaret, tried on Monday, and sentenced to be hung on the 9th day of January next, for the murder of Frances Deane Tardy, infant child of Mr. Samuel C. Tardy, whose nurse she was. Mr. Wellford contended that the verdict of guilty against his client was not based on any actual evidence of her guilt, but on the opinions of the physicians summoned in the case, that death would ensue under a given state of things, and that these were apparent.
The Court refused to grant a new hearing of the case.
The Court entered an order calling the attention of the City Council to the insecure condition of the Jail: its total incapacity, with all the watching that can be brought to bear, to prevent the escape of determined and desperate felons, and the necessity for either rendering it secure or building a new one.
Mayor's Court, Saturday, Dec. 13th.--Joe, slave of Gen. Dimmock, was arraigned on the charge of stealing one turkey and three hens from the roost of Martha Alvis.
The identity of Joe with the despoiler was sought to be established by a soldier's hat, found in the yard from whence the fowls had been abducted, and which hat the loser shrewdly surmised belonged to the prisoner, from its great resemblance to one which was often times seen on his head.
To offset this Joe produced his own hat and a note from his master, stating that at the time of the abduction of the fowls the accused was in a different part of the State.
He was acquitted.
Mike Leary, who had been arrested by the police for being disorderly on 17th street, Friday night, while drunk, failing to give $200 security for his good behavior, was sent to the city jail.
James S. Mall, who had been arrested for disorderly conduct, at the military hall given at the Old Market Hall, Friday night, was committed in default of bail for $200 to keep the peace.
Case of Charles, slave of Wm. Redwood, charged with insolence to R. D. Mitchell, was continued on account of the absence of the witness.
Walter Stultz, a lad about ten years of age, was brought up for going into the grocery of Turner & Perry, corner of 6th and Broad streets, Friday evening, and taking $39.10 out of their till.
The lad was apprehended in the act, but he being within the age which the law declares one incapable of crime from a want of knowledge, the Mayor returned him to his parents, with the request that they would adjudicate the matter at home. 