The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-10-04
COLTS SENTENCE

| The curt Room was crowded almost to
suffocation yesterday morning and all the
avenues leading to it closed up, SO great was
the anxiety to witness the proceedings and
hear the sentence of Colt. The Court con-
sisted of Judge Kent and Alderman Purdy
1t was a solemn scene. Every face appear
ed impressed with the soemnity of the oc-
casion. The Court Room WIS quiet and
still as if a Funeral had taken place. Colt
the prisoner was put at the bar. He appear
ed thin and pale, and mad evidently suffered
much. His dress was careless and his ap-
pedrance was altogether less genteel than
when on his trial There was however a
firmness in us eye and countenance that E.
WINGED that he could lock calmly on every
scene even thar most agoniZing Ct receiving
the sentence of Death itself,qnd that an igno-
minious one.
The District Attorney read the usual re-
quirement that sentence shonld now be pas
sed.
Mr.. Selden, Counsel for the prisoner. sta
ted the reasons why the Court above had not
reversed the case, but maintained that Judge
Kent could yet review his decision and he
should be glad to make an argument aud to
be heard in the case.
The Judge replied that all the forms and
delays had been gone through with, and that
last solemn and painful duty.
Colt was then arraigned and asked BY the
clerk if he had anything to say why sentence
of death should not be pronounced. The
Prisoner said he had prepared a paper which
he should be glad to have read.
Judge Kent read the communication a
loud, which set forth that the Jury had gwen
a verdict against the evidence and against
the charge of the Judge, and that they had
been governed by the Glamour of the Public,
the misrepresentation of the Press, and
predisposition of some of the Jury who had
said he ought to be hanged. That ifhe could
have GOT his case before the Court of Err
rots, he cit confident he should have had
favorable result.
Judge Kent remarked that there had new
er been fairer trial. or a more patient and
impartial Jury. They had manifested ev.
cry possible indulgence TO him and his coun-
sci, and it was the height of injustice to
lmpugn their motives or conduct; that it
was his duty as well as his inclination 10
shield them against all blows, and to award
TO them the common expression that they
had honestly performed their duty.
Here Colt addressed the Court In as firm
and commanding manner as if he had been
III uuNOCdtC iiiStcdu Oi Il prISODers anu Sdiu
in substance, that he had not intended to
cast any reflections upon the jury, and he
did not intend, in his written documents
so to express himself. He said he was not
the man who wished TO break down the law
but still he was like other men,-he could
not receive an affront without reseniing it,
and that he had done no more than he
$40 nd do again under similar circumstances.
The result. however he felt not responsible
for; they were the consequence of the party;
and however deeply he felt for the fatal ter
mnation they were brought upon the party
by his own acts. He, however. felt more
agony from the position he was placed in
than he should TO meet death itself. He
should leave the result to God. He had
no disposition to postpone sentence that
must be pronounced.
Judge Kent said there was moth ng left
for the Court but to fix the period of the
execution. He should refrain from express
SONS which were customary on proaounc-
ing sentance. The prisoner at the bar !
was no common person; 1t was evident he |
couio meet any crisis in manner not com. |
mon among men He should therefore |
pronounce his sentence, which was, that he |