The sun., 1879-05-05
PoINDExrER's Plea IN ExrENUArIoM.
He IL Sentenced TO In,prisonment for Two
Years in the Penitentinry.

RICHMOND, Va, May 3.-In the Hastings
Court, to-day. John T. Poindcxter was SEN
fenced to two years imprisonment in the peni-
tentary. for fatally shooting Charles G. Curtis.
The tragedy was enacted on the 81 OF March
last. on which day Polndexter went to the shoe
store where Curtis was employed. and de-
manded from him an apology for Offering an
alleged Insult to Miss Isabella Cottrell. who was
engaged to be married to Poindoxter Curtis
refused to apologize. Poindexter struck Curtis
with cowhide. and two hours loter Curtis
went to the tobacco factory in which Poindexter
was at work. and demanded that he apologize
to him. Angry words followed. and Curtis was
shot dead by Poindexter. The affair became
the principal topic OF conversation in tho
city. Poindexter was brought up for trial in
the Hastings Court during tho latter part OF
March. and tho progress. Of the trial n
ed to agree upon avcrdct Poindexters sec;
ond trial began on the 2lst OF April, and lasted
1--WE days. Public interest in the case seemed to
have in no degree waned The jury found n
verdict OF guilty OF voluntary manslauRhtcr
and named two years In me penlientilary ,iy hs tn9
mt the request OF his counsel sentence was post
poned in order TO allow time for proceedings
toward obtaining for him another trial.
When Poindexter was brought into court to-
day the room was filed with spectators. He
wore dark Prince Albert suit. After an hour 3
waiting he was ordered to stand up, and the
clerk asked him the customary question
whether he had any reason to offer why sem
tence should not be pronounced There was n
moment Of dead silence, and then the prisoner
began reading from some scraps OF paper, on
which was written with many interlineations.
plea. which he read as follows:
" May II please your Honor. II bowed my
head to this sentence and did not protest against
the injustice Of this verdict. verdict which. II
ratified by this community, makes me the first
victim OF a revolution in a traditional sentiment
| OF my native state. that has educated me to bo-
| lieve that the defence OF woman IL one OF the
| first duties a man owes TO- himself and society
should be false to myself. false to every feel
| ing that goes to form the strongest conviction
| OF Innocence in my own breast
| mo one more deeply deplores this sad and
most unhappy tragedy and me & uniortunns.te Glr,
feelings will not permit mo now nor have the
strength. bowed down with sorrow aa my heart
now is TO go into any extended defence OF my
| course. l do not claim to be- fau tless. am but
| human. and moved by those passions with which
God in his judgment has seen ny to I'LL the souls
| OF men. Az TO tho charge that was moved by
malice In taking the life OF the deceased do, In
| tho name OF heaven. again plead not guilty
my souls salvation, l had no desire, oil
| wish 10 take his life. and every feeling
which may have had was crowded from mI
was at stake. and tho God-given law OF self
defence alone controlled my action. Willingly
| and gladly would give half my days 10 return
to his sorrowing sister and friends the lif'
| which lies on my hands. and raise from theil
hearts tho grief which no less oppresses mine
| will say nothing against any one. l simpll
aak that charity may be extended to me ant
others which so willingly accord TO all. IL II
not enough. your Hanor, that tho very founda
| ton OF my life will ever be slowly fretted AVA
by the deep sorrow that must accompany M
even TO my grave. This chastisement is surel
sufficient. the bitterness Of which no heart cal
know but my own.
Il do not complain Of tho number OF year
contained in this verdict. Sir, two are as goo'
as twenty. Suffice IL TO say. II this verdict 4
ever carried into effect the sentence you ar
about TO pronounce Is a death sentence. tha
crushes out OF my life all hope, all happiness
and only leaves mo what mans law cannot tax
from me. ! feel no sense OF guilt or disgrace
but carry this verdict into execution. and wit
my nature and the thought OF those loved one
who arc so dear TO me | should be utterl
crushed. In closing. thank your Honor fror
my heart for your sincere aud feeling expires
sion Of sympathy"
Poindexter read the first paragraph In n flru
clear voice. holding his tall and slender tlgur
erect The closing'words were uttered In husk
tones. and the prisoner was deeply agitated
Judge Christian then sentenced John
PoindeXter to two years Imprisonment in III
penitentiary. The execution OF tho sentenC
was deferred until August Is. to afford oppo
tunity for taking the to the Court
Appeals. which meets on the 10th of July.