Evening journal., 1889-10-07
AT Ex-PRlEST TO HANG.
Conviction Of Father Boyle Oh
A Grave Charge.
A DRAMATIC SCENE IN COURT.

abe Prisoner bitterly Denounced the |
Prosecutions Attorneys, and with Care
Tess and DenanA srien Heard the Sem
sence Of Death Pronounced.
RAnrsca, N. q, Oct 7.-The absorbing
ensaflon here is the result Of the trial of the
e-Cathpfir priest, }. J. Boyle, which WIGS
AancluaeA here at midnight, resulting in
BoyteS conviction and sentence 70 be hanged
sn Nov. -. Tue case has created intense in
1erest all over the states Boyle came 70 this
city last December as assistant to Father
Riley, then in charge Of the Church of the
Sacred Heart. who was in failing health and
nnable to attend to all the duties Of his
charge. Boyle is patiye Qf Fennsylvania
and was educated IN New York. Since bis
arouble here there have been rumors that he
was sent here By friends with the hope that
being placed among strangers would have a
good effect upon him. Before he had been
here long, however he made reputation for
coavivial and unpriestly conduct
The story Of the Crime.
The crime Of criminal assault upon Miss
Geneva Whitaker, OF this city Of which he
hsss been convicted, was committed on the
afternoon Of May IL lie had just returned
from a visit TO Newberne, and wns somewhat
under the influence Of liquor. On arriving
at the rectory he found Miss Whitaker and
another young girl gathering flowers 70
decorate the church for Sunday. According
20 her testimony he decoyed her into his
room and assaulted her His story is tlat
she consented to all that occurred She is
xather attractive and is II years Of age,
*. All tu f.f 4ffa
ordinary intellect and high education He Is
decidedly handsome and IS polished and re-
fined The evidence in the case wds strong
on both sides and wide difference Of opinion
exists as to the justice Of the verdict The
Jury were out three hours
His bitter speech.
When the prisoner was asked Il he had
anything to say before sentence was pro-
nounced a remarkable scene ensued. lie
arose and faced the crowd, and appeared to
be as cool and uncuncerncd as if the mattef
al stake was Of the most trivial character
He only spoke few words, bitterly de-
nouncing several gentlemen who nad acted
as counsel on the other side, and saying that
the prosecution had been unfair and blood.
sAirsty from the beginning. ue did not refer
to Che crime in any way, or assert his inno-
cence.
strong Prejudice Against Him.
He spoke rapidly, eloluently andin an inn
passioned manner when he proceeded 70
make his speech OF defence He said that he
was aware that able lawyers had conducted
ahe prosecution, but thei's Was strong preju
dice against Roman Catholics, which hao
worked against him powerfully, and thai
counsel had unfairly ronsad this prejudice hy
making statements respecting the power 81
priests which we're not properly put IN argu
ment He said that 1t had been urged agains
him that he was a dluukard, whereas he wa
not addicted 70 liquor, and had merely ol
one occasion become somewhat lively at /
champagne supper in hotel here
Hc sald he had an his life played cards
and woull continue to play them SO long a
God spared his life
How he Received His Sentence.
III conclusion he turned 70 the judge an
said: "a am now ready to receive the sel
tence of this court" t!e stood with his arm
olded and his head thrown back ia
most careless and,-defiant manner VIII
iihe death sentence WAS being pronounced b
soultenance did not change, and be did ~
eem to be affected by Il In the slightest q
Tee After the sentence was pronounced
armed and spoke 10 his counsel and smiled
Boyle is stlu Hopeful
There is great diversity Of opinion abol
the verdict and feeling runs high over b
death sentence Boyle IS ia good spirits AZ
says that he viii not be hanged. He h.
thirty days in which to prepare his case 4
the supreme court, 70 which an appeal h
been granted His counsel win try 70 get
new trial and viii argue that side issues az
nllusions to Boyles appearance were used
affect the jury 1t is thought that Boyl
own evidence, which was certainly in ma
respects unreal and improbable, did me
than anything else 70 convict him.