The daily gazette., 1879-05-06
SECOND EDITION
POINDExTER's PROTEST.

The sR1cISmOnd Murderer's Address
when Brought Up ~ Receive HIS
Sentence.
Richmond-spscial to the New York Her
aid.
There was quite dramatic scene In
the Hastings Courtroom to-day when
John K. POindexter was brought up to
receive his sentence Of two years, I'M
prisonmenti IN the penItentiary for killing
@. u. Curtis on the third of March last.
The prisoner was dressed in dark Prince
Albert SUIT. He did not appear much
depressed, and his tall, sleDde. figure and
rather handsome features shO wed to ad-
vantage. The court had been In session
nearly an hour when the clerk ordered
P0indexter to stand up, and asked him
ii he had anything to say why sentence
should not be pronounced. Much to the
surprise OF every body, he made an ad-
dress, which had evidently been pre-
pared, for he read from few sheets OF
paper which were covered with lnterll-
neations and scratches. Its delivery af-
fected many in the court-room, and none
more visibly than His Honor, Judge
Christian.
Poindexter said: "May it please your
Honor, ii 1 bowed my head to this son
tence and did not protest against the in
justice of this verdict, verdict which, II
ratified by this community, makes me the
first victim of revolution in tradition
al sentiment of my native State, II at has
educated me to believe that the defense
of woman is one of the first duties man
owes to himself and society, l should be
false to myself, false to every feeling that
goes to form the strongest conviction Of
Innocence In my own breast. No one
more deeply deplores this sad ssand most
unhappy tragedy and the unfortunate
circumstances that led thereto than my
self. My feelings will nos permit me now
nor have / the strength, bowed down
with sorrow as my heart now is, to gt
into any extended defense of my course
do not claim to be faultlees. am but
human, and moved by those passions
with which God In His judgment hath
seen fit to fill the souls OF men. As to
the charge that 1 was moved by malice
in taking the life OF the deceased, l do
in the name of heaven, again plead moi
guilty. Let me say 1t in the face of God
and as value my soul's salvation, had
no desire or wish to take his life, anC
every feeling which may have had was
crowdedfrom my mind by the all-absorb-
ing thought that my life was at stake ,and
the God-given law of self-defense alOut
controlled my action.
Willingly and gladly would l give
half my days to return to his sorrowine
sister and friends the life which lies or
my hands and raise from their hearts the
grief which no less oppresses mine. will
say nothing against any one. Isimply ASK
that charity may be extended to me and
others which 1 SO willingly accord to all
1t is not enough, your Honor, that the
very foundation Of my life will ever bt
slowly fretted away by the deep sorrow
that must accompany me even to my
grave. This chastisement Is surely sufh
| eient, the bitterness of which no hear
| can know but my own. 1 do not com
plain of the number of years contained
| in this verdict. Sir, two are as good q
twenty. Suffice it to say, If this verdic
you are about to pronounce Is dealt
sentence, that crushes out Of my life al
| hope, all happiness, and only leaves M
| what mans law cannot take from mo.
| feel no sense of guilt or disgrace; bu
carry this verdict into execution, and
with my nature and the thought of those
loved ones who are so dear to me, should
be utterly crushed. In clOsiug thanl
your II Honor from my heart for your sin
cere and feeling expressi On of sympa
thy" @ int 1luI
In the beginning Poindexter read IN
| firm and distinct voice, which could b
easily heard in all parts of the cour
room. When he SAID, 81 do, in the name
of heaven, again plead not guilty." hi
voice rang out In clear, strong and EN-
| pnatic tones. There was pathos in hi
uttering "Gladly would give half m.
days." and .'I ask that charity may b.
extended to me and others;"but when HI
came to speak OF the bitterness Of tn
chastisemenJ his words began to chok'
in his throat, and he was greatly agitat
ed, and it was only by extraordinary ef
fort that he was able TO proceed. AS l
was, few words were stified in utter
ance. Hats and hands were placed be
fore many faces rs the prisoner close
and stood with head bowed awaiting tn
dread sentence.
Judge Christian, his voice husky, thel
sentenced the prisoner to be taken to tn
psnitentiary for two -ears, the execu
uon of which sentence was suspended
until August 18, to afford counsel oppoI
tunity to appeal to the Court OF Appeal
which meets July 10.