Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-02-13
supprIor lcrim.nnn cenrl-mocr.ren. J.

SENTENCE OF THE GRAFTON BANK ROBBERS.
Monday, FEB. t2.-Dlniel Dochcrty aud
Charles Gleason, convicted of robbery of the
Grafton bank, were brought into court at the
opening of the afternoon session, for sentence,
the exceptions taken curing the trial having
been withdrawn. District Attorney Rice, in
moving for sentence, said there was nothing in
the case of either to call for leniency, while on
the other han there were strong demands for
the extreme penalty of the law They were
professional burglars, of the boldeSt and most
sktllul character, and their law defying exploits
had kept the whole community, far and wide, in
a pane, for a long time, teeir present offence
being OILY one of 1 series VIII which they are
connected, The district attorney reviewed the
circumstances attending this robbery, and closed
by saying that the crime was of nature which
called for such a sentence as would caution such
culprits rot to venture on such dilbolical deeds
within this commonwealth.
B. Staples, Esq, senior counsel for the
prisoners, addressed the court for lenicncy in
their behalf, on the ground that punishment,
by law, should be for reformation rather than
for revcngclul purposes, citing recent legislation
dicating better and higher sentiment which is
yet to come in reference TO this class Of crimes.
He cited the case of the L1rncds, of Oxford,
convicted of robbng the Millbury bank, nearly
thirty years ago, one Of whom was sentenced to
ten and the other to five years in the state
prison; this being at a time anterior to the
philInthropic movements which ha shed their
i'm inf -,nn
ton. The fImilies Of the prisoners were also
alluded TO, both having young children, as
reasons of sympathy and mercy, as also
of their good conduct since their arrest.
The fact testified TO by the watch
man, Daniels, that the man he called
Docherty inteIfcred in his behalf as be lay
bound upon the bed in the bank and possibly
saved his life when the other burglars proposed
to do him violence, was also mentioned to that
persons credit, as showing that after all he had
a human heart beating in his bosom. Mr.. Sta
pies closed by the expression of the hope that
the plnishments meted out to both might be OF
as lenient nature as would be adapted to the
case, and such as would result in making the
unfortunate subjects Of it better men, and the
time not so far EXTENDED as to remove from
them all hope Of opportunity Of practical eXcm-
plidcation sof amended lives when they shall
come ont.
The district attorney responded briefly, af-
hitting the force of the good behavior of the
prisoners, but thought the tendency of light
sentences for great crimes was to encourage
deeds Of this heaous nature, now so alarringly
prevalent and he thought the safety of the
community and the protection of individual
rights against such lawless depredators re-
qurcd a rigid penalty, which was dictated
alike by justice and humanity, for the good of
the whole community, as well as for the
reformation of the criminals, who, he trusted
might become better men. He said it was not
the tendency of modern legislation to diminish
the term Of imprisonment for crime, but only
to extend a larger discretion to the Judge.
This was the case of crime of the very first
magnitude, both in regard to the amount of
property taken, the cruelty with which it had
been perpetrated, and the ability with which it
had been planned.
His honor, in passing sentence, said the pris-
oners bad made an open attack on the peace
and safety of the commonwealth almost unpar-
allied in its combination and strength. The com
bination of men engaged in the crime was extra
ordinary; sufficient to prevent arrest if it had
been attempted that night, and they were doubt
less fully armed and prepared to take life if nee
essary, in order to accomplish their scheme. In
regard to the eases cited by the counsel for the
defence, the court did not consider them peril
nent. 1t only remained to award such sentence
as the nature Of the c sc and the ends of justice
required.
The sentences were then awarded as follows
Dochcrty to thirteen years and Gleason to four
teen years in the state prison. thu ee days of each
time to be solitary confinement, and the remain
der at hard labor. D1cherty will then be 50,
and Gleason Sc years Old.
The sentences were received with the same APP
parent Indifference which has marked the con-
duct of these prisoners during the whole trial.
They were then rcmandcd to jail, to await trans
portation to Charlestown.
Sullivan Moore of Southbridee, who pleaded
guilty of keeping a liquor nuisance, was fined
500 and costs, and sentenced to the house of
correction for three months.
Henry Z. Dorman of Worcester, who pleaded
guilty on two indictments for keeping a liquor
nuisance, was fined 800 and costs on each case
N, V. Livingston, who pleaded guilty of keep
ing a liquor nuisance, was fined $50 and costs.
VIM. Wallace of Milford, convicted of fraud
ulcnhv concealing mOrtgagcd property, was
sentenced TO the house of correction for three
months.
J. G. Bennett, keeper of the Granite Pillar
saloon, in Worcester; two complaints for keep
,I,.,. Ill.