The New York herald., 1878-11-14
THE COURTS.
Trial and Conviction Of Frederick Ell
liott, the FOrger.
PARTNERSHIP BROILS
A Safe Depository for VAL
liable Jewels.

Frederick Elliott alias Little Joe." was called up
by District Attorney Phelps yesterday for sentence IN
Part OF the Court Of General Sessions Judge Gii-
dersleeye presiding. He indicted for completely
in the forgery Of check for S6i,225 purporting TO
be drawn by the New York Life Insurance Company
on the Union Trust Company, and pleaded guilty.
Recently Elliott appeared before the Grand Jury. and
it supposed that the testimony he gave there re-
suited in the arrest of Charles W. Pontez clerk in
the New York Life Insurance Company. and George
L. Maxwell. q broker, and had thereby secured
Immunity from punishment 1t will be remeni-
bered that after Elliotts arrest proceedings were
taken to eatradte him TO Massachusetts on
another charge and while he was in the supreme
Court Chambers he contrived to slip ont unob-
served and not captured for several months after
ward. When the prisoner called to the bar yes
terday District Attorney Phelps said that on the 9th
Of June. the day after the indictment was found
against the prisoner he made his escape from GUS
tody aud remained out Of reach Of the officers for
the 2lst of February last. He pleaded guilty to the
Indictment there being at the time reqlistlon FOR
him from Massachusetts,. where he was wanted FOR
trial on indictment pending against him for some
years II proposed TO send him TO Massachusetts
10 be tried there that Indictment but he pleaded
guilty to the offence charged against him
in New York. it being distinctly understood
that il he did not plead he would be
sent to Massachusetts,. The proceedings in that
State were thereupon abandoned. The matter had
manned in that situation to the present time and he
moved for sentence on the Indictment. Colonel
H.
Court to take into consideration the time the indict
ment found. the accused having been confined
something like twenty months and it had been long
time since he pleaded guilty. fact which should also
be considered.
Mr. Phelps said he had remained out Of custody
after his escape for period of four months. Il
The duty OF the prosecution, OF course to avail itself
pf all the information that would lead the convic-
hon of the forgers but as far as the prisoner was
eoncernedhe had not furnished word Of informa-
ton that he did not know the prosecution was pos
sessed Of To say the least he economical Of the
ruth.
Judge Glderseeve observed that the peculiar cir
rulnstances under which the plea was filed were such
that the Court could not extend any lenency. 1t was
different in where the accused came forward
and frankly acknowledged his guilt In such instances
it the custom, and a proper one, to impose .
lighter sentence than would otherwise be inflicted If
the party entered into defence and stood trial The
plea in this made to escape prosecution
elsewhere The full sentence might be five years but
in view OF the fact that the accused had already been
confined nine months since his plea the sentence Of
the Court that he be confined in the State Prison
at hard labor for the term of four years. The prs
who is twenty of age and in delicate
health received his sentence with characteristic cool