Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-11-02
DEATH SENTENCE.
johnson. the Georgetown Wife Muir.
derer, to be Hanged.
The Execution to Take Place Deem
Der 10th.

In the Criminal Court, Judge Humphreys,
this morning, the case OF Charles johnson, who
was recently convicted in said court OF the muir
der OF his wife, Jane K. johnson, in George.
town, was taken up in order TO dispose OF the
pending motion of the prisoners counsel
Judge Paschal and Mr.. Meloy-for a new trial.
fhe reasons on which the motion for new trial
Is based are briefly, first, that johnson was con-
vtcted OF the killing OF one Jane l.. johnson,
when it was one Jane Glenn; and, second, that
the evidence did not warrant the verdict. The
counsel called attention to the prisoners want
OF mental capacity as certified in his dischsrge
from the army, and also to the point that the
marriage was not a valid one, and therefore the
name of the murdered woman was not as
charged. They also argued that the prisoner $
conduct in living with the deceased after finding
how unfaithful she had been, showed MIN 10 be
fool.
TIM MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL ovBRRULRD.
Judge Humphreys said he saw no good reason
to set aside the verdict or grant n new trial
While admitting that there were strange cir
cuDIstances in the case, yet they were not dis
similar TO circumstances in other cases which
had been decided upon. In this case the evi
deDCe showed that johnson had an ordinary
care OF himself and family, going regularly
about his business and making arrangements
for his family. lie CHE court would sag that
had every woman been slain who daring the
war lived with other men than their husbands,
there would be almos; As many killed as fell III
battle. He regretted that it was his duty to
Tass sentence, but lie could not set aside the
verdict, and duty impeled him to proceed. He
was glad that the time Was drawing near when
the duty OF passing sentences OF this kind would
devOive on some one else.
MIR. MeIOy suggested that the court might
suspend sentence until they could ascertain
from the War department the character Of his
''mental incapacity," as set forth in the dis
charge papers.
Judge Humphrevs said he had though of this
point, but proposed TO finish the case as it was
rHE PRISONERS STATEMENT.
The prisoner was directed 70 stand up, and in
reply to the question of Judge Humphreys as to
whe. her he had anything to say why he should
not suffer death, replied:-' l say that man did
not give me just!ce. He swore 70 things L didn't
do. 1 would not mind, but he did nor give me
justice. wouldn't tell a story about it,"
Judge H.-"Which witness do you allude TOP"
Prisoner, (te Mr.. Meioy.)-" What is his
name ?'
Mr.. Mellow. Kelly"
Prisoner.-"Witness Kelly. wanted to speak
about 1t sooner, but did not krow that L as
allowed to sly anything"
!. Judge Huznphreys.-.' The evidence is that
Prisoner" Yes, sir. He kelly says picked
her up and carried her, and held her in my arms
and cut her throat, but didn't do it,
Judge Humphreys" Have you said all %
PrsOnet.-" Yes, sir"
TIE DEATH SENTENCE READ.
Judge Humphreys then addressed hiG as
Listen to a few words, for perhaps you will
never again enter this court room; but zen will
appear at the bar OF the Judge of the World,
whose fnal adjudication will undoubtedly be
righteous. Thou shalt not KILL was the com
mandment from Sinai. Whose shedieth IN IN :
blooo, by man shall his blood be she'd is tho
appointment of the punishment for the viola
ton OF the COME andment. The language OF
the Son OF Man is. Thou shalt do ne murder
The heather king said to his son, Shed no
blood. for it will one dag return upon thy head
Be We angry xnd sin not is the injunction OF
Him who was crucifed. Let not the san go down
upon your anger, is likewise a Divine injunc-
ton. 1t may well be said, carry not
a ass;T your person an !, instrument O. 81
you shall be tried for it, and if you unaw-
fully use il yea shall be punished. Our law but
gives favor Snd sanction to the precepts stated
murder shaE suffer death. Within a few short
months, within this jurisdiction, men and
women and boys have been slain by men, and
within few weeks they have been tried con-
yicted, ana the judgment OF the law has fol-
lowed. VIII not those who have escaped the
calamties of passion and enormities OF crime
take warning from the fate OF those vine
have been taken from this room with
the sentence OF the law resting upon
them? he sure that speedy trials will ensse
and the guilty will be punished. Sad as TIE
duty is OF those who have the administration eli
the law it must be performed You slew g
woman who, in the course OF nature, would
have borne child within less than two month 5
from the time yOU cut her threat from ear to
ear, aDG she was the mother elsO Of two little
children that were near her when you killed
her, and a woman who, Tor several years. he'd
DOrne tRe relation TO you OF wife. For killing
her you must suffer the death penalty. You
will be held i'll close confinement till the day of
execution, and on Tuesday, December 10, liz 2,
you will be taken by the proper officer of the
law from the place OF confinement, between the
hours OF III O'Clock a. IN. and O'Clock p. m. OF
that day, and hung 10y the neck until dead.
May God have mercy on your soul"
THE PRISONER
appeared perfectly Indifferent while the Judge
was addressing him and on returning TO Jail. In
company with Bailifis PaXten and StahI, Gid
not say one word.