The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-31
SENTENCED TO BE HUNG.
The Death Penalty To Be Inflicted on
Andrew KOrner, the Wife Murderer.
The Prisoner Receives the Verdict with the
Utmost COmpOsure, and Still Asserts
His IlnOcence-The Crime.

After thirty-one hours deliberation the jury
in the Korner murder trial about o'clock Satur-
day evening retured verdict of guilty and sen
fenced the prisoner to be hung. The case was
given to them at II o'clock Friday morning and
in the preliminary ballots the prisoners guilt
was unanimously agreed upon. A difference of
opinion existed, however, as to the degree of
guilt, a majority from the first favoring YER
dict of murder in the first degree with
the death penalty and the remainder
standing out for Imprisonment for life. Sixty
five ballots in all were taken, and all day yester
day there was varying majority of the jurors in
favor of the greatest punishment. Just before
noon they were brought into court, and, by re
quest, Judge Norton again read his charge to
them, after which they retired. 1t was evident
then that they had agreed upon Korners guilt.
During the afternoon nine favored capital pun
ishment and three Imprisonment for life, and to-
ward evening the latter agreed to acquiesce in
the opinion of the majority. At 5:45
o'clock they sent word that they
ready to return verdict, and the prisoner,
the attorneys and the Judge were summoned.
There were besides about fifty spectators in the
court room who had fingered there all day.
When KorneP had arrived the jury filed in, and in
response to the question of the Court, Gentle
men of the jury, have you agreed upon YER
dictN the foreman answered: 1--WE have" 1t
was handed to the clerk, who read 1--WE, the
jury, find the prisoner guilty of murder in the
first degree charged in the Indictment, and
that he shall suffer death" SIS this your YER
dictl" asked the Court. at is" the
Spouse. Mr.. Watts, the prisoners attorney,
asked that the Jury be polled, which was done,
and they were then discharged, after the
customary notice had been given of the intention
to make motion for new trial. which will be
done tomorrow.
There was a painful silence in the courtroom
VIII no rpntl X
korner was but little affected His countenance
did not change perceptibly, further than
easy smile played over it for moment, and he
got up and walked out of the room and back to
jail as though nothing had happened.
WHAT THE PRISONER SAYS.
When the reporters called at the jail few
minutes later, Korner was seated in the Office
talking to his attorney. When asked what
he had to say about the verdict he
| said Nothing in particular, only
/ am innocent-I did not do it. "
| In further conversation he said that he was a
hard working honest man and had never been
in trouble before He and his wife had fire.
quently quarreled but not so badly as indicated
| by the testimony in court He said that he did
not kill her, and he has no idea vino aid and it
| was rough on a man to be convicted for crime
| of which he was innocent Il expected to be
| cleared, said he. 'and to spend to-day with my
| little children. | have not seen them since
| was arrested, Tor was affalQ 10 nave hnem come
to the jail for fear they might get the smallpox
! don't know whatthey will de without INC. While
| talking in this strain KoPner showed consdera-
| BILE feeling and twitched uneasily in his chair.
| At times his voice trembied and it was evident
| that he had weakened somewhat from his effort
| to appear stoicaliy indifferent when the verdict
was read In turning away from the re
\ porters he said; Il viii get new trial, l am
| sure; my attorney will make the motion on
| Monday" IF the motion is overruled, what
| then" was asked. We'll, he answered slowly,
| II don't know what we will do then, but some
| thing to help me- hope"
WHAT YET is TO BE DONE.
In case Judge Norton overrules the motion for
new trial which is probable, the case will be
taken to the Supreme Court and advanced on
| the docket SO that a speedy judgment may be
reached. If this should affirm the decision of
| the lower court, then only executive clemency
| can save Korners life. In any event he will
not be hung for three or four months.
WILD SPECULATION.
Saturday night and yesterday, when it be-
came generally known that Korner had
| been convicted of murder in the first
degree, the opinion was freely expressed
| that the jury had evidently been in
| fuenced somewhat by the news of the Cincin-
natl trouble, arising from comparatively slight
| punishment for horrible murder The bailiff
of the court states, however, that none of the
jurors saw morning paper, nor did any of
them know of the riot.