Indiana County PA News
Crime
The Capture and Trial of John Sharra for the Murder of David Chochran
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
July 14, 1824
Westmoreland Republican
John Sharra, who murdered Mr. David Cochran in Indiana county on the 16th ult., was taken in a cave about two miles from the place where the murder was perpetrated; he was not armed and made no resistance. His trial, it is stated, will take place in September next. It appears from the evidence taken by the jury of inquest, that Sharra was intoxicated at the time he attacked Mr. Cochram and struck him repeatedly. Mr. C. has caused a summons to be issued against Sharra for a small debt, which he wanted the former to settle, and proceeded to his house for that purpose. Mr. C. however, would not accede to his wishes, and requested Sharra to leave his premises, observing at the same time, that the magistrate would adjust their business, but they could not. It was then that Sharra commenced the attack and committed the murder.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) October 20 1824
Court of Oyer and Terminer
On Thursday of last week, the trial of John Sharra for the murder of David Chochran, came on, and after a laborious investigation, the testimony was closed on Friday evening. An unusual interest was excited throughout the proceedings, and a crowded audience constantly attended the trial. The arguments of the counsel were closed on Saturday about 2 o'clock. His Hon. Judge Young, then summed up the testimony and submitted the case to the Jury, who, after about 3 hours absence, returned a verdict of Guilty of Murder in the second degree. The same evening, the prisoner was brought up, and sentenced by the court, to confinement in the penitentiary at Philadelphia, for the term of 10 years, and to pay the costs of prosecution. - Indiana Whig.
The Blairsville Press (Blairsville, Pennsylvania)
November 5 1869
Jim Haggerty Escapes From Custody
The notorious Jim Haggerty was brought up to Court Tuesday afternoon for the decision of the case whether the pardon of the Governor on condition of leaving the State was not rendered inoperative by his violating its condition and returning to the State. Haggerty was put in the prison van to be returned to jail, but on reaching Chestnut street was surrounded by his friends, who took him out of custody, and he ran, pursued by a great crowd, and finally escaped. The affair caused great excitement.
The friends of Z. T. Hockinberry, sentenced to be hung for the murder of Miss McCandless, in Butler, have a hope that the Legislature this winter will enact a law allowing a change in the manner of punishment in cases of this nature.