Jersey Journal/1881/Rebuking Witnesses



'''General Sessions. Judges Garretson, Brynkoff and Fyr. Rebuking Witnesses.''' It was nearly half-past eleven o'clock this morning when the Judges took their places upon the bench. Judge Garretson said: "The Court has been kept waiting nearly an hour and a half by reason of the absence of witnesses. They were subpoenaed to appear at ten o'clock, and the Court proposed to punish them. They seem to have an idea that they can do as they please." Mr. McGill said that one of the witnesses was a lady, who did not probably understand the rules of the Court. Judge Garretson continued, that this action on the part of the witnesses was a growing evil, causing the waste of more time than the trial of cases; that witnesses must understand that the business of the Court has precedence over everything else. "Butch Muller", The Burglar. At half-past eleven the alleged burglar, "Butch" Muller, was brought in by constable Dillaway, and a jury was called to try him under an indictment for breaking into the house of Miss Louisa Barr, on the night of December 29th and stealing goods to the value of about $200. In opening the case Mr. McGill said that Muller had been placed on trial with Lindauer, Hines and Smith, for the Bayonne robbery, but that the evidence was not sufficient to convict him. The music box, (which was produced in court), was offered for sale or pawn by Muller within thirty-six hours after the robbery. Mrs. Louis Barr, sworn — Reside at 1151 Summit avenue; on the night of December 29th, my house was broken into after twelve o'clock; missed the music box. black dress, black dolman and other articles to the value of about $200; subsequently found the music box in the shop of a New York pawnbroker. On cross-examination by Mr. Daly, witness said that she identified the music box by the fact that two of the teeth were missing, and by its tunes. Mrs. Fred Lindauer was the next witness. She said that she lived at 69 Forsyth street, New York, and knew the defendant; I saw him on December 20 at her house; he came in with Jake Lindauer; Jake said here is a man who has a music box to sell; and wanted witness to buy it; Muller said he wanted $20 for it; witness thought it too much and would not take it; he then offered it for $12; told him to call in the afternoon and see my husband; he returned in the afternoon, asked him to leave it; he said he thought that the man he was boarding with would buy it; the box was left with witness in the evening; on the 31st it was taken away and put in Green's pawn shop, in the Bowery; it was taken away by a man named Heine; I wanted the music box, but couldn't spare the money to buy it; Muller said he was afraid to carry it in and out of my house, as he might be caught; he said he got it in Jersey; he said he saw the music box through a window, with a lamp standing on it, and took it thinking it was a jewelry box. On cross-examination by Mr. Daly, witness said she had been married six years to Fred Lindauer; her first husband died in Texas. Witness refused to give her maiden name, saying that she did not want her father's name mentioned in the court room. Judge Garretson told her that she need not answer, and she refused to answer. Case still on.