The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-06-28
Sentencing Laura Fair.
THE SCENE IN TIE COURT RoOM-"MAY
GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL"

THE SCENE IN TIE COURT ROOM-''MAY |
GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL"
Herald San Francisco Special, June Sd.
The conrt opened at ten this morn
ing, and continued until half-past elev
en- 10 admit new atfidayits in the case
of LiitleGeld, one of the Jurors who
condemned Mrs. Fair.
William Mcnamara, Il special police1
man. made affidavit, which was reaI
to the effect that he had heard Little
field say at the time ut the shooting OF
Crittendcn by Mrs. Fair that if he were
Il Juror in the case he would
HANG THE WOMAN.
On being examined for a juror he
stated that he had formed no opinion
and had no bias either way.
Mr. Littlefeld presented counter
affidavit denying the whole statement
of Mcnamara.
The counsel for the defense argued at
length on the motion for the new trial
on the ground contained in the affidavit
1MpEAcHING THE JURORS,
Messrs. A. NJ. Beach and D. E. Little
field: also on the question Ct tie I'LL
Of exceptions.
On the conclusion of the argument
for defense the Judge, still seated, went
on to say that he had given the matter
careful consideration and would be
glad to have the least doubt as to
THE JUSTICE OF THE VERDICT.
The prisoner had every advantage
the law could give. The case, that
should have been tried in ten days, oc-
cuuied a month. In the case of the
Jurors he did not think they had form
ed a direct opinion, merely a newspa-
per impression, and if jurors were
TO BE EXCLUDED FROM READING NEWS
PAPERS
we could never get Il jury. AS to the
qualification Of the juror, Beach, he
did not think the testimony contained
in the aflidavits sufficiently to the point
to disoua.ify him. His character fol
respectability was amply testified to.
In the case of the other juror, Lite
field, it is simply an affidavit against
one man who knows he did not by an
other man who says he did.
The Judge further said it was hard
to make any court believe that men OF
responsibility would work themselves
into jury tor the purpose of securing
il conviction. 1t only remains for me
now to
PASS THE SENTENCE,
the saddest duty of my life.
Mr.. Campbeli-I resume my motion
for Judgment upon the verdict.
) Mr.. Cook-I ask permission to file
on Monday my grounds OF exception
aunc pro tunc.
The Court-Laura ID. Fair, you were
indicted by the Grand jury of the city
and county of san Francisco for the
unlawful killing of Alexander Critten-
den. That indictment was sent to this
court for trial. You were furnished
with an impartial jury. You were
ably defended by counsel. The jury
, pronounced you guilty. Have you any
legal cause to show why the Judgment
, of the Court should not be pronounced
upon you?
PROFOUND SILENCE
| reigned in the court, broken only by
the sobbing of the prisoners mother
and of tie ladies' who sat 10y her. Tie
prisoner sat with her face buried il
her hads, but otherwise composed anG
motionless, and made no response
After few moments pause the judge
WITH TREMBLING VOICE,
said: ''The judgment of the court i.
; that on Friday, the 2Sth day of July
next, you, by the sheriff appointed, bt
: hanged by the neck until you are dead
and may God have mercy on you
Q SOUL"
S THE SCENE IN TIE C o q r T. o o
y during the remarks of the judge an'
+ the delivery of the sentence was one
:. intense excitement. The. room wa
c not crowded, few supposing that tn
e case would be closed to-day. Tn
+. prisoner, while the judge was speaking
watched his face eagerly. When h
said he saw no ground for new tria
she bowed her head in her mother
IS lap and wept bitterly, but succeeded i
m few minutes i'll recovering her com
of posure A number a ladies were pres
a. ent, all of whom wept on sentenc
TO being pronounced.
After adjournment Of court th
: prisoners mother, Mrs. Lane, con
- fronted the reporter present, saying
tie with great excitement and anger:
'. "Now you have got what yon want
IS ed, haven't you. You have got he
M hung. / hope it gives yon joy"
Is With difficulty she was pacifiet
~ The prisoner, on leaving the couI
o bowed to the reporters and officers
O. the court, saying she forgive all. Sf
asked the sheriff to prevent her jalle
man named Kelly, from handcuffjn
cs her and claiming her to the floor OF IL
/: cell, as lie had threatened to do. III
q sheriff assured her he would allow L
10 such treatment.
. The excitement in the street was il
tense. Hundreds of people WEI
waiting to see her pass, to her carriag
os From the World.l
m The unexemplary Mrs. Fair havir
been sentenced to death, and it bell
:, reported that the Government
Sh California will not interfere, there
IN some change of spectacle, happl
al fare in. our generation and country,
j. the public execution of woman
is Certainly if capital punishment is ev
pn UNSUITABLE, there are good reasons +
DC inhicting it in case of which t.
:, atrocity has overcome the sentiment