National Republican., 1880-06-17
ANOTHER WEEK.
The Counsel for Bedford, Pinn and Queenan
Granted Further Time for Investigation.

Granted Further Time for Investigation.
The announcement that the sentence Of
death would be passed upon Joseph Neverson,
alias Babe Bedford, Sandy Pinn and Edward
Quccnan, convicted of tile murder OF George
T.. Hirth, brought large number of persons
to the criminal courtroom yesterday morning.
In order 10 prevent Crowding, officers were
stationed at the entrances to the chamber, and
only limited number were allowed admis-
sion. The prisoners arrived at the city hall
about $3.50 o'clock, ,NRnd found a number Of rcla-
tives and friends awaiting them. Among those
present were tho mothers of Pinn and
Queenan. Mrs. Pinn has proven herselfa de-
voted and faithful parent. Regardless OF time,
distance and obstacles, she has worked con-
stantly and almost without rest to do all
within her power 10 help her son. She Is un-
shaken in tho belief that her boy is limo.
cont, and does not hesitate TO say that
if hanged he will die for crime
committed by some one else. This opinion
seems to pre- vail very strongly with other par
ties and the excellent defense Of Pmn being
recalled also his reputation for peace and
good order prior TO the committing Of this
crime, strong doubts have sprung up as to his
being one of the guilty parties. The excite
ment consequent upon the killing of Hirth
innamed tho public mind at the time, and
Bedford Pinn and Qucenan were convicted
upon circumstantial evidence and the testi-
mony of johnson, n sclf.admittcd participant
in the crime. Narrow links of evidence, too,
that may expand upon investigation have
since been discovered that seem to point
to other parties than those convicted ns
being hc murderers of IIirth. What
makes The effort of securing this evil
dence more difficult is tho fact that an
attempt appears to be going on TO sccrcto
it and prevent any damaging exposures that
might result If such evidence should bo
brought to light. Whether this he so or not.
another week will prove. When the criminal
court convened yesterday District-Attorney
Corkbill and his assistant, Mr.. Pcrry, aud
Mcssrs. Wells, COylo, Smith and Hayward. of
the counsel for the defense, were present Jus.
tce james gave way to his associate, Justice
Hagner, who took his scat upon the bench.
Mr.. Perry called attention 10 the minutes
of tho court in general torn, where the judg-
inent in the case of Bedford, pinu and Queenan
| lad been affirmed aud tho case remuud,d to
the criminal court for sentence. lie asked
that day be named hy the court on which
! the sentence be carried into execution.
| Mr. Wells requested that no action be taken
at that time. He spoke for all of his nssuci-
ates in the case lie said that recent proceed.
ings had come to light of the utmost import
ance to the prisoners 1t would re-.
| quire some little time 10 look into
them. Ills associates joined with him IN
asking that no sentence be passed at that time
They asked for few days lougor--only n
week. He was afraid that If sentence were
pronounced at that time the case would pass
from the jurisdiction of the court, aud they
therefore, made the request for delay. The
request was not based upon any legal or tech
nical grounds.
| His houor--What says the District.attorney?
Colonel Corkhill did not see how the court
| possessed any further power. The case had
been passed upon by the general term, and
hereafter If there was anything done it must
be through tho president Of tho United States.
Mr.. Smith could readily see how the District
attorney was unable to discover any way in
which the court could interfere. The time
asked for was only limited period, not based
upon any technical ground; these mems lives
were at stake, and every opportunity should
bo given them to prove their assertion of in
nocence. Nothing can be lost by brief de-
! lay, and ii may be Of great importance to them.
| His honor said that he was unable to sec
how anything could be done by the court. 1t
finds its hands tied. The case was not entirely
beyond its control, but surely would be it the
sentence was passed. The defense might wish
to make motion. That could he douc now,
but not after sentence
Mr.. Wells stated that lie would say frankly
that they did intend to make a motion, but
there was doubt in his mind that If sentence
WAS passed the courts jurisdiction over il cx-
pircd at that time. That was his reason for
| prcitrring the request for delay.
His honor said that it would be novel
proceeding truly. but he thought If sentence
was passed it would carry the case out OF his
hands. This might lum out to be chmcrl,
but he was not disposed 10 do anything that
might act to the injury Of the prisoners, aud in
order to allow the counsel an opportunity to
mako the investigation they desire, lie would
grant the request aud postpone the passing of
sentence TO one week from that day (Wedues.
day..
The prisoners were shortly after removed
to tho marshal's private office, where they re-
manned some time in conversation with their
relatives and friends, and later in the day re-
turned to Jail.