Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-06-20
TmsPARDoNED CONVICT.
A sIngu tar Case-Es Young Dement,.
ed by RelIgi0n9

In our columns yesterday appeared 1
statement in reference to the pardon JUS
granted j ohm Turner, negro, who was SEN
fenced to the penitentisry from this county
on the 4th of April, 1874, for ten years, hay.
ing been convicted Of an assault with intent
to murder.
It was stated that the pardon was granted
Turner in consequence OF confession made
by Robert Young, another negro convict,
who was sentenced from this county also
for fifteen years for having committed a
burglary. Young, It Is stated, had recently
professed religion, and IN IFS zeal made this
confession. Whilst he may have committed
the deed for which Turner was convicted,
Il seems, from the circumstances, rather I'm
probable, and, as an investigation into the
matter has developed some singular fea-
lures, we think a review of the two cases
will be Of intereGt.
On the 10Th February, 1874, Mr.. Henry
Green, clerk in his fathers grist mill, on
Congress street, discovered negro man In
the act OF stealing some corn, and at once
bounced on him and captured him. He
carried him up to his desk, when the negro
suddenly broke loose, and dashing out Of
the door, Il ID down the street. John An
crum, a negro employed In the mill, seeing
he fugitive, Immediately gave pursuit, and
overlook him at the corner OF Montgomery
and Congress streets, when the man turned
on him aud struck him twice In the head
with knife, IL fcting painful wounds. He
was arrested and carried to the bar
racks. He was afterwards indicted
as John Turner, in the Superior
Court, of assault with intent to murder, and
was brought to trial on the "a b OF March.
Both Mr.. Green and John Anerum identified
the prisoner as the man who was trying to
steal 10 the mill, and the latter swore posi-
lively that he was the man who cut him.
This happened about half past six O'Clock
in the afternoon OF the day In question.
The only witness introduced for the
defense was Mary Bacon, a negro
woman, who sWore that on the evening Of
the cutting at about 6 o'clock John Turner
was at her house, and remained tn ere several
hours. There was &c pleAtien Of Robert
Young Ia ths ease, and no such person was
heard OF. The Jury found Turner guilty,
and he was. as stated, sentenced. After
the sentence, in Judge Schley's handwriting,
are the words "full benest,i y which he never
gave unlsss the case was very clear.
Now in January OF the year following,
1875, Robert Young, neSTG, was arrested
upon INC puAFAp VI UNIkl III tuC hlkub,
having entered the grocery store of Mr.. ]. F.
MeInEen, When GrFaigned Young plead
guilty, and WAS sentenced 10 fifteen years.
He had, as stated, never before been heard
of In connection with the case of Turner,
which had been tried nearly year orevi=
Gus, ana Turner was positively identified by
the state's witnesses as the party
who had been In the mill, and
who had made the assault. 1t there
fore ssems rather singular that Young
should be guilty OF this crime. l. Is more
than probable that in his religious fapati-
cism he has imaglHad it,, af Is imnelled by a
desire Ia help fellow prisoner. Turner's
conduct at the camp Is said to have been
very good, and whether Young's confession
is found to be tue or not the pardon gSSntsd
Turner will stand.
The statement OF our Atlanta contem-
porarY that young will now have the ten
years added to his present sentence, which
will keep him in camp until the year 1900, "
is absurd, SIS there is no law author.Z ng
such penalty to be imposed. At the expira-
ton of his present sentence he might be ar
rested and arraigned before the Superior
Court on this charge, and IL he then plead
guilty he could be sentenced, but In no
other way can additional time be added to
his term simply because he has secured the
release OF another convict through con-
fession that he is the guilty party.