The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-26
From the Trenton IN. J) Emporium May 2.
THE WARREN MURDERS SENTENCE OF
JOSEPH CARTER AND PETER w
PARKE

Yesterday, about 10 O'Clock, a. M, the attorney
general moved that the sentence Of the law be pro-
nounced on the two prisoners now lying in the
Mercer jail convicted Of the murder of the Castner
family in Warren county. The prisoners were ac-
cordingly brought into the room Of the Supreme
Court, and placed in front of the bench of Judges
Joseph Carter is man of full size, forid COM
plexion, light hair, and of temperament which
Psychologists would call sanguinary. He was
dressed in suit Of blue, somewhat worn, but APP
about his lips as he stood up before the court on
this solemn occasion, which showed that he was
fully sensible of the awfuness Of the moment at
which he had arrived.
Peter w. Parke lisa small man, with dark hair dark
complexion, dark clothes, and temperament more
nearly approaching the bilious than any other. On
this occasion he exhibited little emotion, and his
countenance, through all the stages Of the solemn
scene, remained unmoved. .
Chief Justice Hornblower read the sentence of
the court. The scene was one deeply impressive,
and will not soon be forgotten. As he proceeded in
his painful duty with voice and manner which
showed how deeply he was affected, the feelings of
the auditory and the court itself deeply moved
and we saw, as well among the latter the former,
eyes which were bathed in tears. Justices Carpen-
ter and Nevius were particularly moved, but the
same evidence of deep feeling was to be seen in
every part of the crowded room.
When Carter was called on to say why the SEN
tence of the law should not be pronounced against
him, he made brief reply, which produced very
favorable impression on the auditory. He said he
wished to be candid in what he was about to say,
as he was fully sensible he should soon have to
swer for it at the bar Of God He then solemnly
avowed that he had nothing to do with the murder,
and declared his full trust in the Almighty in whose
hands he desired to commit his cause.
When Parke was called on, he also declared his
entire innocence. He said: "All that | have to say
is, that am an innocent man, and that was not
out Of my house on the night of the murder, from
O'Clock till daylight"
Having received these replies, the chief justice
went on to say that they contained nothing to
change the complexion of their several cases. and he
proceeded in solemn manner to remind them of the
Importance of seeking preparation for that final
and awful event which soon awaited them. He re-
minded them of the advantages which, in this re-
spect they possessed over their victims You win
know, said he, the time Of your dissolution, but
your wreiched victims were hurried into another
world without moments warning. He also
reminded them that, Notwithstanding their crime
was great, God was merciful, and his blood was
capable Of cleansing from all sin. He charged
them not to build up any false hopes Of reprieve or
escape, to brave it out to the last with show OF
preparations for the awful penalty which the law
enforced.
Joseph Carter was then sentenced to be taken
back TO the Jail from which he was last taken, there
to remain in the custody Of the proper officers till
some day between the 18th and 22d days of August
next, when he was 10 be delivered over to the ari-
thorities of Warren county, and, on Friday, the
22d day Of August, between the hours of 10 and 2
o'clock, be hung by the neck till he was dead
The annunciaton of this sentence produced a
strong effect the prisoner. He was much agi-
tated, the tears flowed freely, and he sat down,
buried his face in his handkerchief and continued to
sob for some time. The house was much moved
The sentence Of Peter w. Parke was precisely
the same as that Of Carter; but he was much less
affected than his wreched companion Indeed, we
discovered change in his features or manner from
the time that he entered the room ill he retired.
The trial of Abner Parke, for participating in this
awful murder, takes place at the june court; and,
should anything be elected on that occasion to
change the complexion of these cases. il NAV affect
the prisoners just sentenced. But we do not sun
pose that there is any prospect of this; and the
prisoners will, in all probability be hung, at the
Warren courthouse, on Friday, the god day of
August next.