The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-12
JOHN HEYL CONVICTED.
Five Years in the Penitentiary Given Him
Sketch Of the Prisoners Career,

Yesterday morning Major Gordon, for the de-
Tense of Red Heyl, brought the question of the
alleged attempt on the part of John Shea to
bribe juror Vancleave to the attention of the
court This was done in the shape of an afida
Wit from Heyl and his counsel to the effect
that they knew nothing about the
matter, and further that they had no means to
make such bride. Tt was claimed that Van
cieave should have first given information of the
attempt to bride him to the court and not to the
superintendent of police; that the jurors con-
versation with that officer in regard to
the incident was violation of
the courts instruction. They insisted that
Vanc!eave, On this account, was disqualified
rs a juror. The atlantis asked the court for an
immediate investigation as to the jurors fitness
for further service. Acting Judge Clarke over
ruled the motion, and the argument of Prose
eutor Harding began He spoke about two
hours making very clear statement of facts aud
detailing the career of Heyl as a aw-breaker.
He had until now evaded the courts, although he
had been several times arrested. To the prose
eutor's reference to the manner in which the
defense was conducted, saying that this kind of
practice brought on the Cincinnati riots, Messrs.
Cogan and Bailey very holly protested and
demanded that Mr.. Hardings words be
taken down. The Judge delivered his
charge to the jury, to one paragraph of which
IN exception was taken. 1t was that the rule Of
law relating to the establishing of guilt beyond
reasonable doubt was not intended to aid any one
who is in fact guilty of crime to escape, but to
guard against the danger of any innocent person
being urjustly punished.
About IL o'clock the jury retired. The first
ballot showed three for acquitta and following
chat up to the dinner hour, the time was utilized
conviction but as to the extent of the sentence
the views varied considerably The low
est term proposed was three years
and the highest seven, At 3 o'clock
ready to come into court with verdict. A
quarter of an hour passed to allow Heyl to be
brought from the Jail. When he came his wife
aud children were ready to receive him. She
sat on his left side, while their little girl was
held by the father, the boys sitting on his
right When the foreman handed the
verdict to the clerk dead silence prevailed
throughout the crowd of spectators. Mrs Heyl
eagerly looked upon the jurors as If to gather
before the reading of the fatal paper some hope
for her husband, but he, without tremor or
showing the least sign of interest, except to look
as others did toward the jury, nonchalantly
pulled his mustache and waited the end as
if he had no concern beyond curiosity to,
know what was to be done with him. The
verdict read guilty; $75 fine and five years in
the pententiary. The prisoner did not change
his position or manifest any greater concern
than before. The tears and sobs came from
wife and children, who felt the disgrace and
keenness of punishment more than the husband
and father
On Monday motion for a new trial will be
fled and if this is refused the record will go at
once to the Supreme Court upon the exceptions
taken throughout the trial. The sentence is con-
Sidered reasonable one and the prosecutor says
he is satisfied with it. Yesterday Mr. Cogan Of
the prisoners counsel, told reporter that he ex
pected conviction. If Heyl's behavior in the
penitentary gains it for him, his time will be
reduced to three years and nine months
The prisoner has been known for years as
of the most expert hotel thieves in the country.
His work has always been for rich takings, and,
although arrested seven times by Pinkertons
men, once by Sergeant Travis, of this city, four
years ago, and last year by Superintendent Lang
and Captain Colbert he has never
been convicted. The Cincinnati police. as we'll
as those of other cities, have arrested him sew
eral times, and yet Red Heyl managed to escape
punishment. He was born and raised in Gin
cinnati, his family being of good reputation but
dowed with more than the ordinary criminals
intelligence, he became leader in his class.
Officer Page, who returned yesterday from
visit to the Michigan City penitentiary, said the
authorities there showed the greatest interest in
Heyl. The Shea phase of this rather remark
able trial will come up before the mayoro on Mon
day.