Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-08-18
SULLIVAN CINCHED.
One Year in Jail is the
Champions Doom.
UNAvAILlNG PRAYERS FOR MERCY
Judge Terrell UphOlds the Dignity
of the Laws of His
State.

ing. Judge Terrell was on hand Ions
before that time and Sullivan was alst
seated before the bar, showing up with
Clune before his attorney came to court
He looked pleasant and unconcerned
although there was trembor in his eye
After the jury was seated he glanced
over at the men who found him guilty
Tbs crowd in court was small, but grew
larger in few minutes, for hardly was
the Court seated when the Grand Jury
filed in. They presented one indict.
nent to be recorded, and filed out again
Toe Sullivan case was then taken up
Judge Calhoon submitted motion in
arrest of judgment. His papers had
been left at the hotel, however, and the
case went over temporarily.
FITZPATRICK PLEADS GUILTY.
District Attorney Neville called the
case of Referee John Fitzpatrick. The
District Attorney read the indictment
and then asked "What say you, guilty
or not guilty 2"
Guilty" quietly answered Fitzpat-
rick.
District Attorney Neville then ad-
dressed the Court, reviewing Fitzpat.
rick's connection with the fight and the
circumstances under which he became
referee, and closed by saying that he felt
justified in recommending the accused to
the Courts clemency. Captain Fitzpat-
rick also made statement in his owp
behalf and concluded by asking the
Court to be as lenient as possible. The
Court reserved his decision.
The Sullivan matter was taken up
again and Attorney Calhoun read q
motion in arrest of judgment. The Court
overruled the motion after reading it's
contents.
He then submitted motion for new
trial and for an immediate decision with
out argument from counsel. The motion
was based on various technical points,
alleging errors in the instructions to the
jury, aud in the admission ana exclusion
OF testimony, etc.
This motion was also promptly over
ruled.
A PETITION FOR MERCY.
Calhoun then presented the following
strong petition for the clemency of the
Court:
'Tne undersigned members of the
Grand Jury, impannelled at the present
term of Court, who tried the State va.
John L. Sullivan, convicted of prize
fighting, respectfully show to the Court
that in view of the fact that this is the
first conviction for the offsnse named in
this State, and for other reasons, they
respectfully recommend and request that
Your Honor will impose no higher PEN
atty than fine of 81 900, and that no
imprisonment be inflicted"
Ed. Davis was the only Petit Juror
who refused to sign. The Grand Jurors
all signed it as we'll as the Sheriff, clerk
and officers of the court, and the Justice
of the Peace before whom the case was
frat tried.
General Ford supplemented the petit
tion by few remarks. He said that he
had had an opportunity to learn public
feeling and sentiment in the matter, and
without single exception, it seemed to
be the desire that the Court exercise as
great degree of clemency as possible.
There was panic then stir in the
audience, when the silence was broken
by Sullivan himself. The cham pion
turned up before the bar, and speaking
q loud, clear and steady voice, said: /:
"Your Honor, l desire to make a few
remarks. l can only ask for your Glenn
ency In this matter. No doubt l have
done something wrong, but, as my coun-
sci told you, l was ignorant OF the law.
I am not as oratorical as the distin-
my counsel, who have addressed you,
and, therefore, beg to remark that
am your humble servant, John l.. Sulii-
van."
Sullivan sat down and looked at the
Court, awaiting his doom. Judge Ter
rell, after moment or two, asked for the
petition presented by General Ford. 1t
was an appeal for mercy. and the fact
that the officers of the court asked for 1t
was construed as good omen. After
a few minutes inspection he folded 1t
carefully, laid it on the table, and said !:
"sTAND UP, SULLIVAN"
Sullivan stood up quickly. He threw
face, and was evidently determined upon
full self-control. Judge Terrell spoke
slowly: ut seems to me this prize fight
at Richburg Was gross affront to thu
laws of State where the authorities
personally forbade it. 1t seems to have
been accom- plished with systematic ar
rangement and in the presence of
invited thousands. 1t seems on the
part of all connected in it to
have been studied disregard and con-
tempt for the laws. They came from
and through many States whose author
ity and civilization deferred them from
any attempt at such public lawless con-
duet within their limits, and they chose
the State of Mississippi as the only fit
ground for such q combat, indicating
their utter contempt for the sentiment OF
her people and the laws of her statute
books. The sentence of the law is that,
as a punishment for the offence for wi ich
you stand convicted, you shall suffer inn
prisonment for twelve months in the
county jail"
Sullivan gloomily took his seat. None
of his friends spoke to him then; it was
best to leave him to his own reflections
However, when he got under the railing
to leave the court room, he faced the
sympathizing crowd with broad smile
FITZPATRICK FINED.
Referee Fitzpatrick then took his place
at the OR.
"Mr. Fitzpatrick" said the Judge, ,'ir
view of all that has been said in your be
half, and which l am disposed to believe
is true, you appear to- be gent enar
who WAS only present at the tight as
spectator, and one who did not intend 10
violate the law. In view OF the state
ments in your behalf, / sentence you te