The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-28
SMART. ALLEN SENT TO SING SING.
The Great Panel Thief Sentenced to Five
Years in the State Prison--,The Prisoner
Sentenced mt Eleven o. Clock ut Night by
nxLr

The Great Panel Thief sentenced to Five
Years in the state Prison-The Prisoner
Sentenced mt Eleven O'Clock ut Night by
Judge Bedford.
In the Court Of General Sessions, before Cunning
8. Bedford, Jr., City Judge, the whole of
yesterday was occupied by MIR. Howe and
District Attorney Fellows in summing up the
evidence adduced on the trial OF Martin Allen, who
was charged with stealing $500 from a verdant New
Highlander, who was induced to visit a 'panel'
house in Howard street by couple OF trail women.
Mr.. Howe's effort was very ellec.!ys and evidently
made AZ impression on the jury. Mr.. Fellows made q
logical and eloquent argument pressing for chs con-
vction OF the accused with unusual earnestness.
He said that it rarely that the authorities had
such clear case Of guilt against notorious panel
house keeper and that the community looked to the
jury for the prompt conviction OF this notorious
offender.
Judge Bedford delivered clear and impartial
charge, and the jury retired 10 deliberate upon their
verdict at two O'Clock, ana at late hour last even
ing had not agreed upon a verdict. They were
accordingly locked up for the night, as it was be-
eved that they could not agree. About nine
O'Clock, however, the jury announced that they had
agreed upon o verdict and Judge Bedford was
accordingly sent for. Some time elapsed, however
before the Judge arrived, and at hapast ten o'clock
tue Jury were Drought Into court, and, the panel
being called, the clerk put the usual questions and
the foreman announced that the jury found the
prisoner at the bar guilty" The verdict created
quite sensation in the court room, as 1t was believed
that owing to certain strong influences the prisoner
could not be convicted.
Mr.. Howe prisoners COUNSEL was present when
the verdict was rendered, and moved for q new
trial. on the ground that the verdict was contrary TO
evidence. The motion was argued ana denied.
MIR. Howe then moved the Court for o stay OF pro-
ceedings, in order that the prisoner might remain in
tue City Prison till Wednesday next.
The City Judge denied the motion, and said that
In this the law must take Its course after which
he proceeded to pronounce sentence, us tolIows:-
Allen, the evidence In your case has given US
faithful daguerreotype Of what is known In common
parance as the panel game. believe It to be no
exaggeraton when | say that by means OF the
panel game hundreds OF thousands OF dollars are
annually stolen by the thieving fraternity OF this
City. The victims are Invariably strangers In the
city never resdents, respectfully cOnnected who
become dizzy with the excitement Of tho metropo-
ls, are alured TO and entrapped into O panel
house and there robbed. The thieves Interested in
carrying on this neiarious trafic take good care
always to single out strangers OF good standing IN
the place where they hail from, trusting 10 the fact
OF their good standing, that It viii prove shield
and protection against prosecution. do not see
fore deem IL simply my official duty TO mere out the
severest penalty-nve years IN the State Prison.
The prisoner was then remanded to the Tombs.
IL Will be remembered, perhaps, that few days
since man named Hamilton was sent TO the State
Prison for shooting at and woundlng man named
LEI on xy sd Hamilton hn n
"Mart' Allen whom he intended to shoot. The cause
OF the eud which prompted Hamilton TO rake Aliens
lie was that he tAlIenl had taken Hamltons mis-
tress from him and made her panel thief 1t is
not little singular that in the just concluded,
and wnich has consigned Allen TO the State Prison,
this same girl was prominent witness Tor the pro-
secution.
During the term which has just closed a large
NUMBER OF important cases have been disposed OF by
Judge Bedford who, In several instances, imposed
severe penalties upon notorious criminals. The
community are LOOKING with confidence TO the prose-
cutting officers ana the fearless and able judges Of
this court for prompt administration OF justice and
the punishment OF CRIME.