Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-26
RUGG GUILTY OF MURDER
THE BUTCHERY OF THE MAY
BEE FAMILY TO BE

Strenuous Efforts Made by the Counsel
to Save the Prisoner, and the Defense
ReOpened to Permit Him to Make
Statement-A Motion for New Trial
Denied
HUNTERS POINT, L. L., April 25.-The
jury in the case of Rugg, charged with the
murder Of the Maybee family, after being
out one hour and twenty minutes. returned
verdict of guilty. The counsel for Rugg
moved a new trial, but the motion was
denied. At the request of the prisoners
counsel, Judge Brown deferred sentence
till Monday.
AS soon as Justice Brown took his seat
in court this morning, ex-Judge Busted.
Of Rugg's counsel, made motion that
the case be reOpened in order to allow the
defendant to be put on the stand TO testify
in his own behalf. District Attorney
Fleming opposed the motion on the ground
that the defense closed its case last night.
and had an early .adjouEnEaeHt to allow
Quarles to prepare for summing
up this morning Judge Brown, in granting
the motion, commented in severe terms
on the action Of the counsel for the de-
fense, and said that it was only granted
because the man was on trial for his life.
Rugg was then put ON the stand. He
looked dOgged, and gave his evidence as
If he had been coached by his counsel.
Being sworn he said:
II recognize the signature on the paper con-
tanning my confession. Murphy made me
sign ii. We were alone together He made
me drink milk punch before making the con-
fession. lie said if | would sign the paper he
would get $500 reward and would get me out.
After mad made the confession my food was
changed: /! have not had good food since"
On being crOss-eXamined by the District
Attorney, Rugg said:
Murphy said that he was feeding me. The
iood was changed when / made the confess
sion. do not know when / escaped. They
chained me in a cell after l came back. /
identify the book handed to me. l cannot tell
my own hand writing. l identify the letter
nanded TO me as my writing. | told Murphy
wanted lawyer. l had seen lawyer Quarles
before that time"
Rugg then left the stand and the defense
closed. The general impression is that
Rugg convicted himself by his demeanor
and testimony. John p. Quarles, a col
Ored lawyer, made an eloquent address to
the jury on behalf of his client, speaking
for two hours and a half.
Upon the conclusion of Quarles' address
recess was taken, anu when the court
reconvened District Attorney Fleming
commenced his address to the jury, occu-
pylng a little over an hour. Judge Brown
then charged the jury. EX-Judge Busted,
OF the counsel, asked that his exception
to certain parts of the Judges charge be
noted. The jury retired at 2:45, and were
out one hour and twenty minutes, when
they resumed their seats. Foreman
Richard FOwley announced that thev had
found verdict of guilty. The jury being
polled, each answered the question ''Is
this your verdict?" in the affirmative.
The counsel for Rugg moved a new trial.
Judge Brown denied the motion. Counsel
then asked that the sentencing be deferred
until Monday. The District Attorney not
objecting, Judge Brown announced that
sentence would be pronounced at 10
O'Clock Monday morning. Rugg bore
himself to-day with the same stOlid indif-
ference as was shown by him during the
trial. While going to his cell he asked
for his counsel. The court was crowded
all day. There were many ladies present.