Daily Los Angeles herald., 1883-06-01
m'DowlLl SENTENCED.
The Murderer to be Hanged on July
1oth-The Sentence of the Court.



At 10 o'clock this morning the court
room was densely crowded to hear judg-
ment passed on the convicted murderer
Mcdowell. A much larger number Of
ladies was present than before. The
mother Of Mcdowell sat with her head
bowed down with grief, and her face
covered with her hands. The murdered
girls parents were also present and look
| ing serious and anxious. The prisoner
was nervous and uneasy. On such an
occasion, the feelings Of persons are usu.
ally those Of awe, as they stand in the
presence Of one doomed to death; but
there was no solemnity in this assembly.
Nothing but the extraordinary number
Of persons present indicated the interest
felt or the Importance Of the case. The
sympath Of society was evidently not
with him who sat awaiting the fatal
words Of death.
The greater part of the day was taken
up in the argument Of the motion for a
new trial, which was denied, whereupon
the Court passed sentenced in the fol.
lowing words:
Mr.. Mcdowell, On the 18th Of March
last, an information was filed accusing
you of the crime Of murder, having killed
and murdered one Maggie O'Brien, to
which you pleaded not guilty. A jury
has been impanelled, sworn, heard ev-
idence, and returned a verdict Of murder
in the first degree. Have you any cause
why judgment should not be pronounced
against You? The Court will patiently
listen to ANYTHING you have to say.
The prisoner quietly answered, mo-"
The Court continued: The conviction
by the jury.in this case, leaves but little
for the Court 10 do. 1t will therefore be
necessary to say but little. II the ver-
dict left any discretion, there might be
some reason to explain the judgment.
In behalf OF the jury, will say that l
think they acted with strict impartiality;
not governed by popular feeling, pref
udice or sympathy; and / feel confident
they have vigorously keptth injunctions
of the Court. Ii there has been any
outside feeling, / do not believe it has
had any pressure on the jury. l can
say conscientiously, that notwithstand-
ing any feeling Of sympathy or preju-
dice, l have tried to make my rulings
strictly impartial. The trial has been
conducted with great decorum. Only on
one occasion has there been any devia-
ton, and that ! apprehend was caused
more by some little flashes Of wit on the
part Of the attorneys than on account OF
the feelings Of the spectators. The trial
has been allowed to proceed harmoni-
ously and cannot believe any pressure
has been brought TO bear on the jury. l
know it has not on myself; and I don't
believe it has on the witnesses. There
is no discretion left but for me to per-
form painful duty. II this court has
committed any error prejudicial to you,
there is higher court that will correct
its errors. Therefore the Judgment OF
the Court is that you, William r.
be hanged by the neck until
you are dead. The warrant of the
Court will fix Tuesday the tenth day of
July for carrying the judgment into
execution.
The prisoner was remanded after the |
Court had granted Mr.. Waters, Of coun-
sci for defendant, twenty days in which |
to file bill Of exceptions. His mother
embraced him for several minutes before
be was removed, and both were deeply |
Affected.