Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1872-10-23
THE WIFE POIsONERs.


INC poisoning OF tWo "oine" a"u
man b. wealthy and respectable
farmer, named Shaffner, who resided
near Hummclstown. He was tried
and convicted OF murder in the first
degree, last winter, but bis attornies
took hi- case mp to the supreme Court,
and that tribunal, after giving the
case patient investigation, granted
the prisoner a new trial. His case
was called up on the 18th, and, accord
ing to tho Harrisburg Patriot, was
disposed of as follows
Emanual Shaffncr, tho convicted
wife po-oner, pleaded guilty yester-
day afternoon to murder in the second
degree in the three indictments charg
ing him with the crime of poisoning
his wives Nancy and Sarah and his
paramour's husband, John Sbarlack.
Owing to the absence Of Judge Mum
ma in the morning the court was ad-
iourned until tho afternoon. The list
Of Jurors having been called over six
ty-sevcn answered to their names
Emanuel Shai'ner, tho prisoner, was
brought into the court room shortly
after by Sheriff lIeikel. Physically
he seemed somewhat more robust than
at the first trial, and his indifference
TO bis terrible position appeared just
rs marked
Soon after the appearance of tho
prisoner the clerk of the court or
dcred him to stand up and hold up
his right hand.
The indictment was then read by
the clerk, after which the prisoner
was asked, How say you, Emanuel
Shaffner, "guily or not guilty "
The prisoner replied "guilty of MUIR
der in the second degree"
The indictment charging the pris-
oner with the murder of John Shar-
lock was next read, and the same ques-
tion asked, when the prisoner replied
"guilty of murderin the second degree
The indictment charging the pris-
oner with the murder of Sarah Shaft
ner was next read, and the plea "guil-
ty of murder in the second degree"
was put in.
The district attorney stated that in
consequence of the prisoner putting
in the plea of "murder in the second
degree 10 all the cases, and the ends
of justice being served, the term Of
Imprisonment being sufficient to pre-
vent his doing further harm in the
community, be accepted the pleas,
with the consent of the court. The
offer came voluntarily from the pris-
oner through his counsel, and tho
commDnwealth could not fail to accept
the offer, MS it would save increased
expense TO the county.
His Honor Judge Pearson stated that
il was with reluctance that the court
agreed to anything that looked liko
compromise, but in consideration of
the offer, and as the ends Of justice
would be attained, the court consented
to accept the offer and allow the pleas
to be entered, knowing that the con
fnemcnt of the dcfendat would be of
such a length that he would have no
further opportunity of doing harm
to tho community or the members
thereof
The court then asked if the prisoner
had anything to say why sentence
should not be pronounced upon him.
lie answered in a lirm tone, "Noth-
ing" He was then ordered to stand
up, whenJudge Pearson addressed him
in substance as follows:
Emanuel Shafier; You have put in
the plea of "guilty Of murder in the sec
ond degree to three Indictments, and
although you were indicted for murder
in the first degree, and were no doubt
have concluded to accept the
pleas. We have dono it purely out OF
pity towards you, although you didnot
show any pity TO your victims. From
the time you commenced administering
the fatal doses they suffered under the
severity OF their pains. | did not be
licyc that there was any one in this
country that would bo guilty Of poi
soning three different persons at dii-
ferent times. Ii appears from your
own confession that you have been
guilty Of that crime. We would ad-
you to make your peace with
God and make atonement for the acts
you have committed, so far as repent
ancc can 60 Instead Of taking your
life we give you punishment by i'm
THE SENTENCE,
The sentence Of the court is: On
the indictment for the murder of Nan
cy Shaiiner, that you be imprisoned
in the eastern pcnitcniiary at Phila-
dclphia for period Of twelve years.
On the Indictment for the murder
Of John Sharlack, that you be impris-
oned in the eastern penitentiary at
Philadelphia for twelve years, TO bc
from the expiration of the
sentence IN the last case.
On the indictment for tho murder Of
Sarah Shaflner, that you be impris-
med in tho eastern penitcntiary at
for twelve years, to be