The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-03-10
BY THE NECK.
George McMiIlen Sentenced Ito Hang for
Murder on June 22d, 1888.
NJ. D.,
Coroner.


Murder on June 22d, 1888.
The last act hat one in the bloody
tragedy, in which Augustine McMillen
lost her life, al the hands of her hus-
band, was witnessed IN the court room
on Thursday afternoon, at which time
the extreme penalty of the law was pro-
uOunced upon the convicted murderer,
George McMillen.
The morning hour was taken up by
the Court in rendering decisions and
hearing arguments of different counsel
in various civil actions, and tine cody of
the house was well filed with spectators
who, momentarily expected this case to
come up, but they were disappointed, as
more time was consumed than was eX-
pected, and 80 p III. was set for hear
ing his attorneys motion for q new
trial. Promptly at that hour the room
was packed with curious humanity
many being ladies, who even invaded
the space set apart for the legal frater-
nifty. In a few minutesathe Sheriff ap-
peared with the prisoner, who was neat
ly attired, cleanly shaved and hair
cOmbed in faultless style, and there was
an air of quiet self-pOssessiOn about
him that would lead a stranger to think
that he was charged with a minor
Offense only. Mr.. r. 8. Shields arose and
stated the reasons for asking new trial,
being mainly the admission of some and
exclusion of other testimony, detrimen-
tai to his client and also that a juryman
had expressed an opinion before taking
his seat, and made a short speech, pray
ing that a new trial be granted. Prose-
cutOr Harter asked that the motion be
OveTTuled and sentence passed. The
Judge briefly reviewed the legal grounds
and hOVerruled the motion. MIR. Bald
win then asked for 30 days time to pre-
pare bill of exceptions, but the Judge
said this was not necessary, and would
only become so If the law was enforced
at once, which Is not the case. He thrn
told the prisoner to stand up, and said: {:
Mr.. McAillen you have been convicted
of the highest crime known under the
law; you have had fair and impartial
trial and have been ably defended by
counsel, who have left nothing undOne
which would be of any benefit to you.
The jury was selected with great care
and they are all good, impartial men
who carefully weighed and deliberated
/ over the testimony as brought forth,
| and can say that in view of the same,
do not see how they could have arrived
at any other verdict than the one they
have brought in. and it now becomes
my painful duty as an officer of the law,
to pass sentence upon you. The statute
| provides that any person convicted of
| the crime of murder in the first degree
shall forfeit his life, and l now ask you
if you have anything to say why SEN
tence of death should not be passed up
on your" The prisoner. who during the
Judges remarks, had his eyes firmly
| fixed upon him, responded in a steady,
quiet voice: Nothing more than that
am innocent; am not guilty of the
| charge" After few further remarks
the Judge said; ut is the
SENTENCE OF THIS COURT
that on Friday, June 22d, between the
| hours Of IL in the forenoon and o'clock
| in the afternoon, within the walls of the
| jail of the county, you be hanged by the
neck until dead, and may God have
mercy on your SOUL"
McMillen received the sentence with
| the utmost compOsure and sat down to
converse with his attorneys. After a
| few minutes he signihed to the Sheriff
that he was ready, and was TecOnducted
to his cell from which he makes bat one
| more trip, never 10 return.
1t is some W hat singular that ne should
offer to plead guilty Of murder in the
second degree sometime ago and on
sentence day claim that he is innocent
These two facts ara hard o reconcile.