New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-04
THE COUNTS.
THE DEATH PENALTY.

,,rxo., epSrrScED TO BE HANGED on MAY 10.
Tho nossine of sentence on the verdict OF
o., , IN the case OF Michael Nixon, the murderer OF
Charles Pbyfer, postponed, owing 10 the
the hour, from Wednesday evening until yesoeru1y
morning. Accordingly, at an carly hour yesterday,
crowds gathered the corridor leading 10 the Court VI
over and Termner awaiting the opening OF It's portals
and when at last the doors opened the struggle 70
gain entrance waxed quite warm, until enueu W C"p
Iearys police officers, who to keep the passage cedr
were Obliged TO turn away fully half OF thOse WIN cia
ored for admittance Punctually at 1870 a. IN. Juuge
BRADY entered the courtroom, followed by Dlsulc'-
Attorney Phelps and Mr. Howe, counsel Tor the
prisoner The prisoner then brought In Dy inc
Sheriff. whereupon the Clerk ordered him 10 stand' ana
put to him the formal question: "What nave you ho"
TO say why sentence OF death should not be passed upon
youp The condemned man arose. pale as deatn anu
trembling in every limb while large drops OF persP@
ton gathered on his forehead and coursed down ms
cheeks He made answer but his counsel moved ior
nm arrest OF Judgment the ground that the Court was
not propery constituted that the present tern was not
the February Of the Court and mat there hao oee
no regular assignment for holding Court He aiso
claimed that there had been irregularities IN regau "
the Jury panels. Judge Brady oyerruled these oDlee
tons and sed the sentence of death in the following
words:
Nixon You have had fair and impartial trlal. you
have been defended by able COUNSEL and you nave Deh
pronounced guilty OF atrocous crme-inurder N tne
6rSt degree Tne deceased was a victim OF the danger
ous and reprehensibc practice OF pstOlearrylng, ana
yOur unfortunate is only lessOnay, sOIen
prOtest-against carrying concealed ana IuurucIous
weapons put a warning Of the terrible consequences
that may follow their use, namely an IgnolnhGi5
death. / am not inclined 10 say aught 10 you winch
may nkndly OF ungenerOus, but thc e4lS5nciecs
of the times demand that the awcssy dlspOscu sHouu
he advised that there is day OF retrlbutlOu Ior
ev-doers which will come right speedily Inc
deceased WAS hurried into eternity WltnOYt
moments preparation, away from his home ana fanny
and kindred. The treats, however, inc murderer
more giving him time 10 prepare IOr
his departure from this world beseech you TO employ
IL we'll Yield not to the dclusOn that you nave auy-
thing to expect the courts Your case reveals 10
hone OF that kind. You should abandon at once All
reliance for further chance for life and devote your
SELF TO meet destiny which, by the Ferdlct OF .e
Jury has irreyOcable. Tile sentence winch IL Is
nv painful pronounce upon you IS tnat you DC
taken hence TO the City Prison, there 70 be detained IN
close custody until the 10TH OF May when you sua DC
hanged by the neck until you dead; and may the
Lord have mercy on your soul.
The prisoner appeared terribly agitated all through
the Judges address and fell rather than sat on the
chair at its close Immediately hurried by the
SherTs deputies into the small room adjoining tue
court and was placed in chair He seemed very faint,
and water was given to him, while the windows were
opened for the purpose OF reyivng him. Soon after
ward having sufficiently recovered, lie was taken to the
Tombs in a carriage. The Deputy Shenfs bao TO help
him across the prsOnyar for he was like one who had
parally lost the use Of his limbs, and when placed In
the condemned CELL No A. he flung himself on his straw
bed and wept violently. The keepers tried to compose
him but in vain III would not be comforted priest
visited him later In the day.