The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-02
IPoLIoEMAN TO BIZ BAN0ED.
g..es Plat Convicted Of Murder In the First
Desree-Bis Crime.

ron me Philadelphia Tines
The District Attorney pressed for con-
viciion Of murder in the first degree lie dwelt
at length upon the fact uf Platt, after having
charged some one In Stlusss saloon with having
robbed MIN, walking to bis home, third Of a
mile. and obtaining his pistol The voice of
woman was then heard IN terms Of remon.
STRANGE, and IN reply Plat declared " will
nre." lie tnen returned to the pavement IN
front Of stat SIS saloon. and placing the pi -tol
upon line with Craig's BODY, fired, and from
tho wound then and there received Robert H.
Craig. several day@ AT efward died. these facts.
he argued, showed that the killing was premeui-
tated. He admitted that the prisoner was some.
what intoxicated, but held that that was not
suff1cient to class the killing murder In the sec
ond degree.
Precisely at Ave o'clock the Assistant District
Attorney put IN the hands of the foreman Of
the Jury the pistol that had taken Robert Craie's
life. the map Of the locality Of the shooting. the
portion OF the rib which the ball that entered
Robert Craig's breast carried with II; the bill Of
indictment charging James Plat with murder,
and several minor articles presented In evil
dence. The jury, escorted bv several court OH
GERS. then retired to deliber tie.
Seated in front Of the dock we're Policeman
Platts father and mother, both gray haired and
both respectable In appearance, and beside them
sat his sister. rhey had long since made up
their minds that the verdict would be murder
In the second degree. aud that being an accepted
fact they had ceased to bother their minds about
the matter, md chatted seemingly very cheerily
among each other.
At SIX o'clock the Court despatched an oficer
TO learn whether or not the jury had made 40
their minds, although every one felt certain
that AS yet verdict had not been decided
upon. The ofiicer returned, ana after him
walked the twelve men. james Plat breithed
frcer Mrs. Plat and the prisoners other
relatives became visiuly delighted. The
fact of the jury remaining out such short
time was convincing proof that the verdict was
murder In the second degree. The jury solemn
ly took their seats. III 1T was again put IN the
special dock. lie Il forty-two years old. not
unattrIctive In appearance, with a square,
featured, determined countenance, and evi-
IDENTITY possessing considerable intelligence lie
was dressed very neatly IN SUIT Ct shining
broadcloth. displaying prominently upon the
lapel Of his vest Masonic marx. The foreman
OF the jury haudei the bill Of indictment to
Court Clerk Cation. and the jury arose.
Jurors, look upon the prisoner; prisoner.
look upon the jurors" said MIR. Cation. In m
Impressive tone. How SAY you. do you find
James Plat, as In manner aud form indicted,
guilty or not guilty 2"
The foreman, very young man, In deiber-
ate tone replied. " Guilty" "Of what degree p
asked Mr.. Gallon. The furem N drew a long
breath, and said: " he first degree" Kiss
for each member OF his family. ami convuisive
lug and reminder t. come and see him on the
morrow for Mrs. Platt, Dnd the prisoner pre-
pared to leave the dock. Quietly drawing from
a pocket u small bundle, he tire It open, wit IA
the remark; lone moment. gentlemen. I'll |
light cigar" anu drawing out a weed, he Dtt oil
AN end aud placed 1t In his mouth. He could
procure a light, he was told. down stairs, and
with CHEEKY GOOD night, gentlemen" J mes
Plat ran lightly down the steps. aud shortly
afterward was rattlin9 toward Moyamensing.