The Daily Dispatch: June 3, 1863., [Electronic resource]

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Homicide.

--Charles C. Pedrick, charged with feloniously stabbing and killing John Massening, on the 18th February, was examined before the Mayor yesterday, and sent on to the Hustings Court for a further hearing.--Ten witnesses were called and testified, the substance of their evidence being as follows: About the 12th of February a slanderous report, concerning the accused and a young lady, was put in circulation. the author of which Pedrick determined to trace out. On the day of the difficulty, learning that Massening had mentioned the rumor to the lady, Pedrick sought him in the street for an explanation.--Several witnesses saw the parties in excited conversation, but could not distinguish what was said. Two of them saw M knock down the prisoner and kick him about the face and head severely, during which time P. drew a dirk knife and inflicted one or more wounds in M. s legs. Finding himself stabbed, Massening released his hold on the prisoner and ran off, the prisoner pursuing him, knife in hand. After running fifty or sixty yards, Massening fell and the prisoner fell upon him, his knife uplifted, but without inflicting another blow. Soon after this the parties were separated, and Massening taken to a water box on 7th street, where he stated to Mr. Barnes that he was stabbed in the first scuffle. Massening lived about ten days, when modification set in.