The daily gazette., 1880-05-28

Judge Wales then passed the sentence
OF the law upon the prisoner, in the fol-
lowing words:
William Neal, you were indicted by
the Grand Jury of New Castle County,
in the instant month of May, for the
crime OF rape, alleged to have been
committed upon the person of Margaret
E. Gosser, on the 10Th day of March, in
the present year, at Blackbird Hundred
and County aforesaid.
Upon your arraignment you pleaded
not guilty, and being unable to employ
counsel TO defend you, the Court assign
ed learned, experienced and competent
memberofthe bar to protectyour interests
and to represent you In the trial of your
case. In this respect you can have no
just reason for complaint. Your counsel
defended you against the prosecution of
the State with degree of professional
skill, ability and fertility of resource
that is rarely equaled The jury selected
To decide upon your guilt or innocence,
was composed of fair minded and i'm
partial citizens who gave their earnest
and serious attention to the testimony of
the witnesses and to the arguments of
counsel. The process of the State was
freely employed to compel the attend
ance of your witnesses, and nothing ap-
pears to have been left undone, that
could possibly have been accomplished d,
to establish your asserted innocence.
After fair, deliberate and impartial
trial, you were found guilty by the YER
dict of the jury. This verdict is ap-
proved by the Court. 1t is lmpos-
sible, after having heard the evi-
dence, to resist the conclusion that
you are the man who, on the 10Th day of
lat March, entered the residence of
Margaret K. Gosser and feloniously vio-
lated her person.
For the commission of this crime the
law of this State has provided the pun
ishment of death. In all civilized coun-
tries, ancient and modern, the abhor-
renee of this offence IS shown by the
severity Of the penalties affixed TO it,
and the law of Delaware is not distin-
guished by any excess of sternness or of
cruelty. The end or final cause of infict-
ing capital punishment is not by way of
atonement or explati IN for the crime
committed, but as precaution against
and for the prevention of future offences
Of the same kind; and to deter others
from giving loose to their evil passions
and wicked lnclnations, whether of
hatred, lust or envy,
We have no desire to recall to your
memory the history of the transactions
which led to your arrest, trial and con-
viction, or to dwell upon the enormity
of the crime which it has been proved,
beyond doubt, you committed. IT.,
upon reflection, you should be unable
to realize to its fullest extent the wick
edness of your act, and that it is your
own misconduct which has brought
you to your present condition, nothing
that we might say ON these subjects
could affect your mind. The peace
and safety of society demand that in
your case the law should be executed,
so that the example of your punish
ment may warn every one that if he
yields to the temptation to crafty his
! vices in the brutal manner that you
| did, he will surely suffer like fate.
But it is our duty to caution you not
to indulge the delusive hope that you
may yet escape the execution of the
sentence which the Court is about to
record against you. We cannot see
any mitigating circumstances in youI
case that would recommend you as a
proper subject of Executive clemency
We cal do no more than direct you to
look for pardon and forgiveness to the
Father of us all, who is gracious and
full of compassion.
The sentence of this Court is that
you be taken from hence to the county
prison, and there kept in careful Gus
tody until Friday the 9th day of Au-
gust, of the present year, on which
day between the hours of 10 O'Clock in
the forenoon and 2 o'clock in the af-
ternoon, you be taken to some private
and convenient spot within the limits OF
the prison enclosure, and there hanged
by the neck until you are dead. And
may God have mercy upon your soul.
Neal listened to the sentence and
tho accompanying remarks with ap.
parent composure, and an expression
as though he failed to understand theil
import. At the close he said, 81 don't
understand that, what did he say about
escape ~
The pretended ignorance ofthe priso-
ner is supposed to be assumed, as not
withstanding his apparent indifference
and inattention during his trial, his
remarks previous to the delivery of the
sentence showed that he quite clearly
remembered the evidence adduced
and the efforts of counsel for his de-
fense. 1t is said that few years ago
a farmer for whom Neal worked had
to discharge HIM for attempting to
outrage his daughter.
In the case of Charles ID. Agness 0s.
VIM. II. Naff's administratiX, iudg-
ment was allowed for the plaintiff, the
amount to be determined by three
referees-Henry G. Banning, Henry
Ii. McMullen and s. Redmond Smith.
The libel cases ofthe Delaware State
Fire and Marine Insurance Company
Us. VIM. T. Croasdale, and against the
Eoery Eoentng Publishing Company
were continued until next term, witt
leave to amend ON both sides.
THE TANTUM JURY.
After being up half hour, the Tan
tum jury sent a note to the Court by
the Bailiff. 1t was understood to be /
request for information in relation t.
considering the justification of the
libel. Judge Houston penned an i'm
mediate answer and sent it to the jury
A VERDICT.
At Z o'clock, the jury came dow
with verdict of $709.25 for the plain
tiff. The jury was then discharged