The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-05-29

At the term Of the court, commencing
October, 1879. Peter King Jr., and Ed
ward Conley were indicted for murder in
the first degree. Separate trials were or
dered and Kings case came up on the 2lst
of January, 1850. Judge 0key on the
beach. John +. Spriggs and A. J. Pearson
for the State; J. J. and James w. Hollis
ter for the defendant /,
The testimony on the trial developed
little that was new. A boy twelve years
old swore that King had asked him on
the dAy after the murder II he had heard
OF il, and when be replied in the athrma-
tive King said: ~ can tell you how It
was done" Ee then went on TO explain
that two men had stopped Trembly, pre-
tending they wanted 70 buy something.
When be turned to wait on one, the other
drew his revolver and shot him. Another
witness testified TO having heard King
swear to have revenge on Trembly for
sons remarks he had made about the so
stolen from him. Another had asked
King why he killed the u1al. and the re-
Div was, al was drunk" John Read, son
Of Sheriff Read, and keeper ot the jail,
testified In regard 70 q confession King
had made TO him:
ave told King NOT to tell anything nm
less OF his own free will he said he did 1t
himself; that no one Was with him; he
ouarreled With Trembly about some
whisky; that he had intended doing. 1t
sooner; that he went over on the hill by
HoEell's two weeks before, but something
came over him aud he could not do II;
aid he waited for Trembly on the fatal
day, and when he saw him coming he
walked show till Trembly came up; spoke,
but received no answer; waited until the
team had gone 25 steps or 25 teet, and
then shot over the chicken coop with his
revolver"
The only defense was that King was oi
unsound mind-SeverAl witnesses thought
him weak minded; noticed that drink
OF LIQUOR set him crazy. His grandfather
aid the boy had had diphtheriA about
three years before, and it seemed 70 have
affected his mind. He had not beer
fright" since; when crossed in any way
he would rave like q mAdmhni his eyes
became CLASSY or had wild expression
and his conduct was not that Of 3 SAINT
man.
lhours In arriving d verdict OF murdel
liz the first degree. The 1nnouneemen
Of this was the first episode Of the tria
that seemed TO affect King. He bad ~
along maintained an air OF stoIcal indii
ference, lrequensly swearing he did no
care what his fate might be.
Judge Obey delivered the sentence Q
death in accordance with Law. The pms
oner had nothing to say why iudgmen
should not be pronounced upon him.
rHR ssSrExcI
was affecting, and the Judge in reading
showed signs Of being affected much NOR
than the condemned man.
"Thscrime,Eith which you were eharget
and Of which you were found guilty,
one Of the highest crimes known TO on
; Law. Its seldom Ee tiud person, 8
Young in ysars as you are, charged With
crime Of such magnitude. Such crime
are usually committed by old offenders.
have no EnogledRe Of Your past histor!
, other than vas disclosed in the testimon
, On the trial, and that only disclosed u
/ Esc, that you grew up in habits Of idlenei
I and VayEArdness. Had you been an tndu
: tTious and obedient boy, you might ha'
I made useful man; bat your conduct hi
! been oIhSrSise, and hence your preset
h unfortunate situ1uon.
/ / have been criticised for apparent syr
!, psthy for you In your sad condition. eu'