"Criminal Court" in The Conshohocken Weekly Recorder(1889)

Title

"Criminal Court" in The Conshohocken Weekly Recorder (1889)

Description

The Conshohocken Weekly Recorder's coverage of court decisions for both William Moulden Jr. and John McClennan in 1889 following their altercation. Moulden was charged with "assault and battery with intent to kill" and John McClennan with "aggravated assault and battery."

Date

1889-06-08

Rights

The Conshohocken Free Library

Format

Newspaper

Language

English

Text

“Com vs Wm Molden Jr, Assault and battery with intent to kill. The case as presented by the Commonwealth is that Wm Molden Sr, keeps a disreputable house on the Lancaster turnpike near Bryn Mawr. On the 1st March last the defendant and one John McClellan became engaged in a dispute over a game of cards while under the influence of liquor, as a result they began shooting at each other, both being pretty well wounded. The shooting was partially done in the yard. The defendant did not desire a lawyer. He took the stand and testified that they had been drinking heavily during the day and were well under the influence of liquor, when they sat down about 3.30 in the afternoon, to engage in a game of cards. As soon as the quarrel began he went upstairs to secure a revolver, knowing McClellan had one, and thinking it necessary for his defense. As he came down the stairs McClellan fired through the door at him. When he opened the door McClellan shot him in the breast and then it was that in self defense he shot twice at McClellan and him in the side. Most of the shooting occurred in the yard, and sixty feet from the road side. Verdict, guilty of affray.”

“Com vs. John McClennan, aggravated assault and battery. McClellan is the other of the two men engaged in the quarrel over a game of cards which occurred on the first of march at the Lancaster turnpike near Bryn Mawr. William Molden, Jr. was tried on the same charge, he being the second man in the fight. McClellan testified that he caught Molden cheating in a game of Euchre and accused him of it, which resulted in a scuffle. As soon as Molden got loose he went up-stairs to get his revolver. Hushen said to him “Look out, here comes Molden with his revolver” He (witness) then drew his revolver and fired merely for the purpose of scaring Molden who immediately after opened the door and shot him in the side. They then chased each other around a tree, both shooting, but he only shot in self-defense, as he knew Molden would kill him if the opportunity arose. He shot Molden during the chase around the tree, in which he shot twice. It was one of these shots which struck Molden in the breast. Verdict guilty.”

Collection

Citation

“"Criminal Court" in The Conshohocken Weekly Recorder(1889),” The Rooted Project , accessed March 29, 2024, https://rootedproject.org/items/show/18.

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