The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-02
STUTTERING JACKS MURDER
Dassett Convicted OF Murder In tho Second
DeEree-A Life Sentence.

BRIDGEPoRT. March Judge LOOMS
began his charge to the jury in tho case OF
Frank f. Bassett. charged with the murder OF
Suffering Jack on the 10Th OF July last. at o.
this morning. In his exhaustive consideration
OF the law and evidence. tho Judge said that no
matter how the accused might have been led
away and corrupted by Mrs. Alexander. his
sanity was not disputed. and he must be held
responsible 10 the law for his actions. As the
Judge made this declaration his voice ialtered
aud he seemed on the point OF breaking down.
The allegations OF tho indictment respecting
the death OF the victim by criminal agency. and
the means employed in accomplishing his
death were not controverted. Neither did the
two parties to the crime differ materially "a to
the circumstances OF the tragedy but each tried
to place the other in the light Of the chief actor
As TO tho degree OF reliance to which their
stories were entitled respectively the jury must
judge. but they might find assistance II pass
Ing upon disputed points by a careful cOnsid-
Grafton Of the corroboratory evidence. Tho en-
tire truthfulness o. the testimony OF both was
properly matter Of suspicion. one being q
convicted nccomplice In the crime and the other
having strong incentive to falsely in order 10
save himself from conviction. II Basseit
brought Weinbecker TO the house in further
ance Of a plan TO commit the murder or II he
countenancod. or in any degree aided In the
killing. he was guilty under the indictment. IT,
however. he knew nothing OF the murder until
crime only to tho extent OF disposing OF the
body and trying 10 realize share OF the antici-
pated profits. he WINS only an accessory after
the fact. and under this indictment must be ac-
quilted.
an hour and twenty minutes When they re-
turned. aud Bassett in accordance with the in
struction Of the clerk, stood up and looked
upon the foreman" his brows were knit and
his whole face was drawn into nm expression Of
.he most intense Anxiety The foreman was
N a gtraiupl voipo he apgWprpl tina plprkf
gulry for tho verdict by simply responding
Gully" There was moment OF profound
suspense in the court room in the brief interval
that elapsed between the clerks next INQUIRY
and the toremans amended answer of Murder
gave an audible sigh OF relief and. almost smil-
ing. resumed his seat. His counsel had pre-
pared him 70 expect this verdict, and the AZ;
tendnnt sentence OF Imprisonment for life, and
the fact that he had received this. and escaped
the worse fate OF the gallows. seemed to satisfy
burst into tears. and during the after proceed
After the verdict judge Sanford. upon the re-
tence upon Bassett You have escaped tho
gallows." said the Judge. only to suffer a life-
n prison. Your only society viii be criminals.
and you will have no personal companions save
tho ROadng and remorSe OF guilty conscience.
which must inevitably and constantly accom-
pany you through the long weary years to come.
Your crime was most htrocious one. Expect
no pardon for II here. Repent Of the wicked
ness you have done and ask Gods mercy III
80 be- YOU may receive forgiveness In the world
10 como. II is the judgment Of this Court and
the sentence OF tho law that you be- imprisoned
in the Connecticnt state prison during the time
OF your natural lfe."
Before tho court adjourned the prisoners
counsel asked for time to fllc motion for u new
trial and were given until next Thursday. Tho
grounds on which the petition for Il new trial
are 10 be bnsed. provided one is made. are the
discovery Of new evidence and two exceptions
To the Courts rulings regarding the admission
Of testimony. Tho only now testimony is that
q a witness who Is expected 10 swear that when
Mrs. Alexander kept a saloon at tho Stanley
House Suffering Jack was frequent visitor
there. II il not probable, however. that the
movement for n new trial will be perfected.
Upon leaving the court room Basset was al
lowed to visit photograph cutlery TO have his
picture taken. The Sheriff then took him to
jail. where he will remain until the question Of
new trial is definitely settled. Mrs Alexander
was taken back 10 prison this noon, While
in tho court room this morning she
handed to the reporters u long statement.
deprecatinR the severe way In which tho
newspapers spoke Of her, and reviewing some
Of tho testimony in an effprt TO show that her
story is true and Bassett's inlse. Upon being
returned to the prison this afternoon, the good
clothes that she has worn during the trial wcro
exchanged for tho regular prison garb. The
Warden said to-day that he didn't intend TO
allow that woman 20 get away for II no did the
State would be too hot TO hold him.