The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-12-30

Patrick Kanen, who was found guilty
of manslaughter few days ago, on the
charge of starving his own son to death,
in the Eighteenth ward last fall, was SEN
fenced by Judge Hamilton to ten years
in the Penitentiary at Columbus. When
the prisoner was brought from the Cen
trail police station to the Criminal Court
room, about half past ten o'clock in the
forenoon, by the court baliff, there were
few persons in the court, the time when
the sentence would be pronounced not
having been known by the public. On
entering the court room Kanen took
seat near the attorneys table where
Judge Hamilton spoke to him moment
later concerning letter which Kanen
sent to him Wednesday, asking him to
look after his private affairs. The Judge
informed him that he could not comply
with his request on account of the Office
he holds, but advised him to see that his
property is cared for and protected
Then taking his seat, the Judge called
upon the prisoner to stand up and receive
his sentence. Kanen arose and walked
to Immediately in front of Judge Hamil.
ton and few minutes later, when asked
if he had anything TO say why sentence
should not be pronounced, spoke for sew
eral minutes in scarcely audible tone,
saying that he had always worked hard
with the hope of getting little home,
that he had tried to provide for all his
family and was entirely innocent of the
charge of which he had been found gull
ty He further stated that he has al
ways tried to be just in his dealings with
men, to pay all honest debts and hoped
that the Judge would be as easy as pos
sihle with him. While he was making
his remarks he shed tears several times
and was obliged to stop once or twice,
his feelings were such.
At the conclusion of Kanen's remarks,
Judge Hamilton proceeded with the SEN
tepce, referring to the crime with which
he had been charged, stating that he
had had very patient and impartial
trial and that he was satisfied the ver-
dict of the jury was in accordance with
the facts ofthe case and according to law.
For this reason he was forced to believe
him guilty of the crime of manslaughter.
The Judge further said he could not
comprehend how it could be that Kanen
could be at home every day, as was
shown during the trial, and not know
the condition of his son in the barn-not
know that he was there dying by inches
for want of food and care. He said he was
panied to think of the treatment which
Kanen had given his child. Had it not
been proven to him he could hardly be-
lieve it. He referred to the plea made.
by the prisoner, that he had nothing to
do with the idiot boy, that his wife and
daughter cared for him and were there
fore responsible for his death if any one
was. Judge Hamilton told him that the
law made him the head of his family and
as such he was responsible for the care
of his idiot son. In conclusion the Judge
spoke of the meaning and intent of the
law for mansaughter. The Legislature,
he said, had fixed the time of imprison
ment from one to ten years, leaving the
Judge to choose between these extremes
and guage the penalty by the actual
enormity of the crime. In the Judges
opinion, there was no doubt but that the
prisoners crime called for the extent of
the law, and therefore, however painful
it might be to him, he was forced to SEN
tence him to ten years at hard labor in
the Penitentiary, at Columbus, but would
not make confinement in cellsany part Of
the sentence.
During the time Judge Hamilton was
addressing the prisoner, Kanen stood
with his eyes turned toward the floor,
and did not once look his honor in the
face. At times he trembled considera
bly, and used a handkerchief to wipe
away the tears, which now and then
flowed freely. AS the Judge concluded
the sentence, Kanen NODDED his head and
said Il thank you sir" The irons were
then placed upon him and he was escort
ed back to the Central Station, from
where he will be taken to Columbus in
a few days. Cleveland Herald.