Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-02-20
THEY AWAIT SENTENCE.
A VERDICT or GUILTY RENDERED
Sigh, Madden and Jennings Con-
sicted OF the lnhuman Robbery
of Aged Israel Smith.


The trial Of Sigh, Madden and Jennings
charged with the robbery OF Mr.. Israel
Smith, of GraDdyiile, was concluded in the
Circuit Court yesterday. The defense called
additional witnesses to show that the re-
spondents were seen in the city at the very
time that the robbery is said 10 have been
committed. Among others was woman,
called Nellie Wheeler, who has lived with
Sigh as bis wife, and testified that she was
with him on the night of the robbery be-
tween 10 and O'Clock, and that during that
time they drove about the city and left their
horse at Lees barn before O'Clock. Others
testified 10 seeing Jennings and Madden in
different parts of the city between IL and l
O'Clock of the same night.
The prosecution did notattempt TO contra
diet the claim set up by the defense that the
respondents were seen in the city between
twelve aud one o'clock, but claimed that
they had been TO Grandville, committed the
crime, and when returning Jennings and
Madden left the cutter on Grandyille avenue
and went to Bernard Berry's place and to
Bhrley il Roe's saloon. That Sigh then
drove down to Almy street and got the
woman, Nellie Wheeler, to ride with
him to the livery barn, where she
paid for the rig, with the intention of appear
ing as if they had been driving about town
all the evening. That the woman then went
home, while Sigh went to the Royal Palm,
where he met Madden and Jennings and
divided the money as told by the witness,
Phil Parker, who looked through key hole,
saw them handling the money. and over
/ heard the conversation. This was the view
taken of the case by Prosecuting Attorney
| Turner in his opening address to the jury,
which he began ut 10 o'clock.
Mr.. Mcbride, for the defense, followed
Mr.. Turner, and finished his address at
noon. In the afternoon Mr.. Clay made a
desperate attempt to convince the jury that
there was room for doubt as to the guilt of
the respondents. He was followed by Mr.
Turner, who closed the argument for the
people in forcible common-sense speech
that left but little doubt in the minds of un-
| prejudiced hearers as to what the verdict of
the jury should be.
The Judges charge to the jury was main
| ly devoted to an explanation of the law and
the evidence in the case, and the requests of
the counsel for defense were given to the
! jury without material change. He told the
jury that they must not let sympathy for old
Mr.. Smith influence them in favor of the
people, nor should they allow the appear
ance of the lady friends of the respondents
in the courtroom to influence them in favor
of the respondents. The counsel for de-
fense could take no exceptions to the Judge
charge and the case was given to the jury at
five O'clock
Court remained in session waiting for the
jury until seven o'clock, when an adjourn
ment of one hour was taken. AT nine o'clock
it was announced that the jury had agreed
upon verdict, and the respondents were
ordered brought into court. Before they
arrived every seat in the room was filled,
and some of the standing room was occu-
pied. As the prisoners appeared the crowd
arose and made rush for the front part of
the room, each man appearing anxious to get
position where he could see the prisoners.
fall back ,and insisted that all be seated. When
order was restored the clerk asked the jury
if they had agreed upon verdict, and was
answered by the foreman in the affirmative.
The clerk then asked for the verdict, and
was informed that the jury found the res
pondents guilty, as charged in the informa-
ton"
The announcement of the verdict had no
visible effect upon Sligh or Madden, who
were smoking cigars and apparently as un-
concerned as any of the audience. Jennings
turned pale and seemed very nervous. His
mother and sister, who have been in the
courtroom with him since the trial COM
menced, were in the sheriff's room waiting
for the verdict. The prisoners were remand
ed TO Jail to await sentence.