The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-11
A CALIFORNIA MURDERER sEsTEsC Ep.
speech Of the Prisoner.

from the San Francisco Alta Dec. 2tl
The Fifteenth District Court during greater por-
tion OF last week was occupied In the trial OF vii.
liam Donovan for the WI lui and delloerate murder
by shooling, OF George Mllcneli on the Sth of No.
vember, 1870, IN Contra Costa county, which re-
suited In the second CONVICTION OF the prisoner Of
murder III tho nrst degree the penalty for which Is
death.
Al one o'clock yesterday afternoon the Court met
pur 'uant TO adjournment, ms honor Judge
soner was seated al the side OF his counsel engaged
TaE COURT TO THE PRISONER.
MIR. Donovan sand up. You were indicted by the
Grand july or the county OF Contra Costa BY an
dctment 10 which You were charged WIN the klll.
pleaded mol guilty. lou were once tried III the
coualy OF Contra costa and verdict OF guilty was
reauered against you. Tue supreme Court IN ITS
wisdom granted you new lrial on your own
motion the case was transferred to TINS city and
ably defended. Evers thing was done that counsel
could d. Tor you. They defended You with
tenacity AMI faIhfulness unparalleled. But the
jury, under the circumstances, ieeling undoubtedly
that the evidence wa so strong against you, that
they could not do otherwise Lnan tey DID, mat is to
md you guilty. OF murder 10 the nrst degree and
rendered a verdict TO that effect
Have you anything to say my the judgment OF
the Cour, should not be pronounced against your
THE PRISONER ADDRESSES THE COURT.
Donovan said lie desired 10 make some remarks,
the privilege Icing granted to MN. All eyes were
intent hun. aud HIS Honor giving him the Utmost
The prisoner first handed the Court two diagrams
drawn 10y hin OF The scene OF the murder and the
situation all parties at the time the fatal snot was
fired. These he Iuly explained In the course his
remarks. His remarks al tunes were inconerent,
aud be proceeded TO review the testimony OF some
OF the Witnesses, which he had apparently STUDIED,
and compared, as he believed, their contradictory
statements given on eacn il1al. file charged that
perjury Oh top OF perjury had been committed to
swear his lie away; that an honest mau was being
condemned ON the testimony OF those who mad con.
splred against nm; that some OF the witnesses mad
not the color Of honest men IN tncir face. He was
particularly severe on District Attorney Mills OF
Contra Costa, wnom he accused or being spiritual
murderer. lie was 5000 miles from his native home
IN u strange land, without friends. He said he was
not afraid oil death, the onlv living God was his
friend. All he asked was that the commandments
be obeycd; no man could harm hair OF his head.
lie walied nOtniDg OF the world bit Justice, and
mercy rom God. his lie had only been lent TO him
and he wanted 10 preserve bis soul from SIN. lie
wanted no aid from attorneys. bur did ask the pro-
tectIon OF Inc CONSTITUTION OF the United States,
Perjury on perjury had been committed; II was the
work o. spiritual murderers; he did not blame the
oil bell; Oh the Trial he had to contend against
man and the Devil; what he did not want, was
TO disgrace tho grave Of his wife and child. Mr.
Murphy, In his argument 10 the jury, had also op-
pressed MN; nc was ruled ny God Almighty, and
but had 10y deed; he was not guilty OF what he mad
been convicted OF ; he appealed Tor protection, and
the records OF the Couri wound show he was con.
victed Oh perjury; II new trial was granted he de-
sired The iull powers Of the law, nothing else. In
conclusion the prisoner, VINO had occupied the at.
ton u tue Court for some time IN his rambling re-.
MARKS asked The Court 10 allow him u remain in
JAZZ here unu his fate was decided.
ever been Witnessed In anv OF onr Courts and many
were affected IN the actions OF the prisoner praying
Tor MS lie. When ne had concluded Judge Dwi-
nellie again. addressing the prisoner said he was
pleased that ne put MS rust In God In his rynQ or.
deal; he showed tnat ne mad received training at
the hands OF his mother. IL Is q terrible thing
TO be convicted oil murder; but tho Cont nd
not apprehend tnat the witnesses made the glaring
contradictory statements complained OF by him.
INC testimony gwen on the hrst trial had been
written out and was IN court. HIS counsel mad
awaited himself OF IL. II there nad been ANYTHING nj
tue klhu they would have discovered it they ,Id aI
With our God.
THE SENTENCE.
The sentence or the Court Is that on Friday thu
18TH day OF February next you be by the sherif Of
Inc city and county OF san Francisco or The nroner
onlref provided Nv law, hanged by the neck until
you lie Dead and may God nave mercy on your soni.
VINE pron0nnriDg the sentence His Honor was
greatly aHecteu, and before no had made The last
remark gave vent to tears. Many others in mo
court room were moved TO teas, Wine the prisoner
looked paie and unmoyed, and wnen tne last word
Of The Judgment mad been pronounced. he said.
'ThanR you," and resumed his seat.