SCENE IN AN AMERICAN COURT OF JUSTICE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1223, 7 August 1885, Page 3

SCENE IN AN AMERICAN COURT OF JUSTICE.

The most exciting scene ever known in Court in this vicinity, says a report from Lyons, New York, recently occurred in the Wayne Circuit Court. It appears that John Johnson, a desperate criminal from New York, was indicted on twelve counts for burglary, robbery, and attempts to murder. It the full penalty of the law were given on each one of these indictments, he would go to prison for 120 years. In the face of his doom he became more desperate, and boldly announced his intention to do anything, even suicide, to escape from prison. On the occasion under notice he was cried upon an Indictment for assault, with intent to kill S.R. Vandusen in Newark. The Courtroom was packed with people, and the gallery was crowded with ladies, because of Johnston’s noted career of crime. While District Attorney Hoag was concluding his address to the jury,' and everyone was listening intently, Johnston in an instanc leaped from the prisoner’s box and rushed towards Mr Hoag, yelling out that he would kill him. Wild excitement arose in the Court room. The Judge ran into a sideroom. The Discrict Attorney escaped behind the witness stand, and jury and court officers were scattered in all directions. The women in the gallery screamed excitedly. expecting to see murder committed before their eyes. Country Judge Collins and several others caught hold of the prisoner from the rear and restrained him. Johnson is a powerful fellow, and in a moment he threw them out of his way. At last the sheriff and guards were on him, and then a desperate fight followed, and the exchemont became intense. Men yelled “ Kill him.” « Knock his brains out, “ Let’s lynch him here,” and one woman fainted. Two of the guards were felled to tiie floor by Johnson’s blows. The guards, however, beat him over the head with handcuffs from the rear. Exhausted by loss of blood and severe poundings, Johnson fell to the floor and was handcuffed. He was carried back to the prisoner’s box swearing vengeance. His face was covered with blood, and his cheeks were like jelly. He presented a horrible sight. After some time the excited audience calmed down, and the jury returned to their box. The District Attorney sank into a chair, and did not resume his address. The judge charged the jury in a few words. The jury retired, but returned almost immediately and a verdict of “Guilty." The prisoner was then brought in, ironed, an I bleeding profusely, and was given the full benefit of the law, which was ten years in Auburn prison. The Judge then sold that it would be a farce to try Johnson on another charge, because of the intense public feeling against the prisoner after the aiiair above recorded, which was the most disgraceful he had ever witnessed.