The New York herald., 1879-03-02
THE SCENE IN COURT.
Judge SanfOrd'S Solemn DenunciatiOn
of the Culprit's Guilt.
MRS. ALEXANDER'S APPEAL.
She Casts the Guilt Wholly Upon BasSett and
Claims Absolute Innocence.
BnIpGEpoRT. Conn. March /, 1879

BRIDGEPOKT, Conn.,, Marcn 1, 1917
The trial of Frank L. Bassett for the murder Of
Frank Wenbecker. alias "Stuttering jack" was con-
cluded to-day. The opened at the usual hour.
with an immense throng of spectators Mrs. Alex
ander present busily engaged in writing state
ment to the public, which, when finished. she
handed to her former counsel. She said to him
after the charge had been delivered to the jury.
81 feel better now.' As the charge leaned toward
conviction it is plain to be seen the feel
ing she had toward her partner in crime.
Judge Loomis delivered his charge to the
jury, occupying one hour and forty minutes. The
jury then retired. Mrs. Alexander, who had been
sitting inside the railing, removed to an adjoin-
ing room in order that she would not be present
when the verdict brought in At q
quarter past twelve O'Clock the jury returned.
Bassett, who had been sitting with his back
toward the door, deeply engaged in conversation
with some friends. suddenly turned around and
looked each of the jurymen in the as they filed
into their seats. The room, which few moments
before presented the appearance of gathering
at an opera or some entertainment other than u
place where mans life hung in the balance was
now hushed and pin might have been heard to
drop Every eye was then turned upon the prisoner
the clerk asked the foreman if they had agreed
upon verdict. The prisoner then requested to
look upon the foreman who turned toward Bassett
and said, "uilty of murder in the second degree.
Bassett he turned slightly pale. but received
the verdict in silence and sat down.
MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL.
Counsel for the prisoner then moved for a new
trial, on the ground that they had two witnesses
which they had been unable to introduce During
the argument Bassett began to show signs of ner-
vousness His counsel asked for stay of sentence
until their motion for new trial could be heard.
The Judges then conferred together few minutes,
when Judge Sanford said that he could reason
why sentence should not be passed. that would
not interfere with motion for new trial.
SENTENCE.
Judge Sanford then said "Bassett stand up. A
grand jury of this county have indicted you for the
deliberate, wilfu and premeditated murder with
malice aforethought. of Frank weinbecker, on
the 18th of July last. Upon that indictment you
have had full, fair and impartial trial before jury
largely of your selection; you have been ably de
Tended by counsel Notwithstanding all this upon the
evidence in the jury upon their oaths have
said that you did on the l2th day of July last COM
NIT the crime of wiful deliberate and premeditated
murder but have found you guilty OF the lesser of
the otfences-the crime of murder in the second
degree. You have escaped the gallows. but only to
suffer a lifelong Imprisonment within the gloomy
walls of prison. Your only society will
be criminals and with personal companion
save the Rr1lty conscience, winch must
inevitably and constantly accompany you during the
long, weary years to come. Your crime most
atrocious Expect pardon for it here. Repent
of the wickedness you have done and ask Gods
mercy il so be you may receive forgiveness in the
world 1t is the judgment of this Court and
the sentence of the law that be confined and i'm
prisoned in the Connecticut State Prison during the
term of your natural life.
Bassctt then remanded to jail The jury stood
the first ballot nine three in favor the Sec
ond degree; on the second ballot they stood eleven
to
his being granted trial. He seems to be per-
fcctly resigned 10 his fate.