Daily Republican., 1885-10-03
Queer Reasons for Verdict.

Judge Robinson INDUCED in some
very singular Kind of tax on Thur sday,
in passing sentence upon the murderer
Barnes who killed in cold blood not
only his brother-in-law, but his iouf-
teen-y ear-old son. o. the gull. Of
Barnes there was not the least doubt.
He was drunken wre.ch and ade
his home 30 miserable aud unhappy
that his wife aud children were com
PEELED 10 leave it AMI went 10 tempo
rarily stay with relative 10 Whining
ton. This hr91 the drunken mans
heart with anger, and h al II not been
for the watch vigilance of brother
in-law in this city, murder would
have been committed in Wi.min gton
instead of Cecil County, and the victim
would have besu his wife and no know
ing how many more instead of his
brotheI-in law and son.
He had murder in his heart drink as
he he was. There was method enough
In his madness TO stop iu Elkt)n on his
way TO Wilmington and purchase a
pistol. What was the pistol purchased
for by q man going after his wife to
induce her to return home again He
seemed to know something about what
weapons would be Of the most persuA-
siye character But the pistol was not
used in the horrible murder that was
committed. The douo bic barrel shot gun
came handiest. He was more accus.
toned TO its use, and with it he could
take the more deadly aim. He knew
the Grand of his father.in law Toulsou
and his brother-in-law Brown, on that
fatal morning when he saw them ap-
preaching his house Though their
Grand was friendly aud for the purpose
OF making peace, he wanted no such
mediation. He met them with his shot
gun and killed Brown on the spot. Mr..
Toulson's life would also have been
taken had he not hurried away. Barnes
two sons left the house and ran like
frightened deer, but the murderous eye
Of Barnes followed them and called
them back. The poor little fellows.
taught always TO obey, came back. when
the oldest one, Arthur, the especial pct
OF his mother, was met in the roon with
load of shot through his head, and the
other boy was wounded by another
load sent after him as he escaped from
the house The murderer was sane
enough to load the empty barrel Of the
gun after he had killed his bro.her.in.
law Brown.
What does Judge Robinson mean
when he says tina; the murder was not
deliberate and premeiitated +? Was
there ever murder committed more
deliberately Why had Barnes his
double barrel shot gun in his hand tina,
morning but to take lie? Why did he
reload the empty barrel OF his gun bu,
to take more life
Judge Robinson, at the commence
ment OF his remarks, said After a de.
liberate consideration Of the case We
are Of the opinion that the plea OF in
sanity has not been sustained by the
evidence"
Those be sensible, wise words. WHY
then the Communication of Barnes hor
rible crime into sentence that Is bal
a mockery of justice Ba hs,en a. the
words OF the Judge Z" As drunkenness,
is, no viewer, no excuse In Cases of thi,
kind, while acquitting him Of deliper
ate and premeditated murder we And
him guilty of murder in the second de
gree" These conflicting sentiments ar,
very hard TO reconcile II drunkenness,
is no excuse for murder what wa,
Barnes guilty Of but the most dlabol
cal murder that ever stained the soil %
Cecil County ? Yet in this same .Aor
sentence, Judge Robinson says whll
acquitting him OF deli Derate and Or.
meditated murder, We find Kim gull,
of murder in the second degree. IN,
is q strange medley OF words, au
stranger yet the following At tn
same time we are satisfied that III
prisoner was in such a state of mind pr,
duced by excessive drinking az not /
be conscious Of the con sequences of Ii
act. But drunkenness Is no excuse fl
crime, because it is voluntary act ,
the party" Queer legal logic, drunken
ness Is no excuse for crime, and We
Barnes was not guilty OF murder b,
cause he was drunk. Such is the boile
down opinion Of Cecil County Iudg
and by this forced cons, rurtion OF II
law, Barnes is only sentenced 10 f,n
teen years for the mutI.r OF two ne
sons. During that tins his wife an
children will live in mortal terror. fea
ing that Barnes will break from an il
secure Eastern shore jail and con
home and complete the ork of murde
ing the whole family. 1t ID Jus. su,
verdicts as these that encourage /
excessive lynching that has disgran
Maryland and other States Of Ia
years. Barnes may escape lynchiu
but Judge Robinson will not escap. t
ceasure of an Intelligent public for RI
ing in the case.
ATTORNEY { General G.ri,oA !,