Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-09-26

shirt should be fitted onto Mr.. Hontvets
wrists it would fit him, and it is Mr. Hontvets
shirt. At this declaration there was quite a
sensation created among the aadience.) l
can swear before the living God that it is his
shirt. know it. l have seen 1t. have
seen it on his wrists before. | did not intend
to do it. / did not intend to harm any soul if
l could help it, did not believe that people
would take poor innocent soul who has
never harmed a child and condemn him. Still
l will not mourn. The Lord Jesus did not
mourn against those who crucified him. He
looked up to Heaven and asked His Father to
forgive them for they did not know what they
were doing, and will do the same. But the
time will come when they will come to die.
Then they will feel the wrong they have done
to the poor innocent Prussian, Louis Wagner,
who now stands here at this Bar. That is all
| have got to say.
The Court-lIaye you anything further to
say?
The Prisoner-No, sir.
Judge Peters then arose and in a clear and
impressive manner addressed the prisoner at
the Bar as follows:
Louis III. f. Wagner--The full court having
considered the legal question raised in your
case and overruled all the exceptions taken
in your behalf, it becomes my duty at this time
to perform the act which will terminate your
case, so far as the judicial tribunal is concern
ed. You have had full, fair and impartial
trial. You have been defended.at all stages
by able and faithful counsel. You have had
the fullest use of the process of the State for
all witnesses desired in your behalf. You
have had in your trial the benefit of all the
benefcent rules of law applicable in criminal
cases. Still, you have been found guilty of
murder in the first degree By q jury composed
of men against whom you could urge no chal-
lenge or personal objection. The court have
no doubt that this finding against you is cor
rect one. The evidence discloses the deed OF
murder doEe by you in most atroclous man
ner There can be no doubt that you con.
signed to sudden and terrible death two de-
feneeless women, and aimed the assassin's
strength at still another, because their lives
stood in the way OF your getting telonious pos
session of little coveted treasure. The
swift and inevitable retribution which followed
your awful offence trust will be a warning
resulting in some degree to the protection of
society against the commits sion of crime. The
penalty for your offence is the EXTREMIST
known TO the law. 1t cannot, however, be ex-
ecuted upon you till after confinement at
least year. You should prepare yourself
for that awful event whenever it may come.
No chance for your liberation from punish
ment through the law is now possible to yeu.
1t remains for the court only to pronounce
against you the sentence of the law. The
court having considered the offence of which
you stand convicted, it is considered by th'
court as punishment therefor that you b.
r hanged By the neck until you are dead. Ant
in behalf you are further sentenced to con
fnement in the State prison, situated il
Thomaston, in the county of Knox, until til
e punishment just ordered be inflicted upol
q you, and that you stand committed until re
:, moved to said State prison in execution .
this sentence.