Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-04-06
Sentence Of Cephas Jones.
JUDGE WYL1E SENDS HIM TO THE PENITE
TIARY FOR THIRTY YEARS

JUDGE wYLIE SENDS HIM TO THE PENITEN-
TlARY FOR THIRTY YEARS.
To-day, in the Criminal Court, Cephas
Jones, colored, convicted few weeks ago of
having committed rape on the person of
Miss Florence p. Smith, on the 24th of Novem-
Der last, on 10th street northwest. was brought
from Jail and the motion for a new trial was
argued at considerable length by Messrs.
and District Attorney Wells for the govern.
ment. The motion is based principally on the
instructions of the court, and it was argued
very thoroughly, especially by the prisoners
The court took the reasons, and reading the
objection that the verdict was received on Sun
the verdict on Sunday and kept them locked
up 1t would be greater violation of the Sab
bath than by receiving the verdict and allow
ing them TO attend to their duties as Chris
tlanS. There is no sensible reason why a YER
dict given on Sunday should not be received.
The other reaSonS-that the verdict was
against the evidence; that the counsel were
not allowed to question the Jurors on their
xolre dire; that the court erred in charging
the jury, &c.-were taken I'D Seriatim con
siGered az and oTeITgled On the point as to the
remembered Judge Baldwin, formerly of the
Supreme Court of the United States, who was
probably the greatest criminal lawyer in the
land. to have said to jury that if certain
mans evidence was taken the administration
OF Justice would be mOckery. Judge Bald
win was right in this case, for it was evident
self: but if Judge b. was now living and
made such an assertion, Judging by some of
The authorities cited, he would be thrown into
the river.
The District Attorney moved for a sentence.
and Jones was placed at the bar. On being
asked il he had anything to say why sentence
should not be pronounced, Jones, with some
impeachment in his speech, said Judge, your
honor. have a reason. for am not guilty of
the crime; and there is one thing am sure
if receive the sentence at this bar am sure
| AZ q ha ln,ao ,,iY
at the judgment seat of GOd.)
The court remarked that the crime was the
most offensive one which could be committed,
and he referred to the atrocity of this par
ticulaT case, referring to the attack on an un-
protected child, binding her by blows in the
face. and leaving her SenSeleSS and bleeding.
The law has fixed the limit of punishment for
this otfense, and he thought that the circum
stances rendered il necessary to impose the
utmost punishment. If this case does not call
for the greatest punishment then there is no
case which requires the imposition of that de-
gree of punishment. The sentence of the court
is that you suffer imprisonment at hard labor
in the Albany penitentiary for the period of
thirty years.
Jones, with wagger.-"Thank you, sir
He was then conducted to the dock. and
passed his wife, sitting near it, without a look.
She had showed by her looks that she felt for
him when the sentence was announced: but
when he failed to notice her she left the court
room.
Mr. Birney said that it was the intention to
take the case to the General Term, and asked
suspension of the sentence.
The court referred to the law, and stated
that under the terms of the act an appeal sus-
pends the sentence until after the expiration
of the next term.
There was large crowd gathered in front
OF the City Hall to witness his departure.
among them his wife, and as he passed down
the steps she remarked: Take care of your
self, Ceph., and don't forget to write; some of
the low white trash has swornyour life away"
Ceph., responded: IAN right" and lightly got
nf a0nn ila ino fnp 4
officer with the papers he looked around to-
ward where his wife was standing and she ex-
WHAT'S the use Of mS taking On ana
going down to the side of the wagon both of
them spoke lightly of the affair, she being par
ticularly severe on the white trash who
SWOre false agin Cenh.'i