Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-01
NELSON COLBERT MUST HANG.
The District Supreme Court Affirms the
Judgment of the Court Below.

The District Court in General Term. Chief
Justice Bingham and Justices Hagner James
and Bradley, this morning decided the case OF
Nelson Colbert, convicted of the murder OF
Philip Vented, adversely to the prisoner.
Chief Justice Bingham delivered the opinion
of the court, stating that they had listened to
the arguments and examined the pleadings and
were unable to find an error for which there
| should be reversal. The judgment was there
fore affirmed.
THE CRIME FOR WHICH HE WAS SENTENCED.
The crime for which Colbert was convicted
| was the murder of Philip Vented, the stable
boss, at the Columbia street-car stables, on
10th, near street northeast on the evening
OF October last. Mr.. Vented was a German
over seventy years old Familiarity called Pap
and generally liked on account of his good
nature. Colbert was one of the colored hands
employed by the company. On the evening in
question Colbert had been drinking and
Vented told him that he had better go home
and come back in the morning. Colbert then
demanded pay for the day and Vented
replied that he had done no work
to be paid for. Upon that Colbert
threatened, with oaths, that if Vented
did not pay him he would kill him. Vented
told Colbert that he ought to be ashamed of
himself and pointed small stick at him or
gently laid 1t on his shoulder. Colbert then
drawing the pistol shot the old man. the ball
entering the left breast and killing him
instantly. Z. Is. West one of the drivers.
grabbed Colbert, telling him that he had killed
Pap, and Colbert replied that "he didn't
give d." When West attempted to stop
him Colbert pointed the pistol at him and
threatened to shoot him too. Colbert then
made his way to his home near Monticello. and
subsequently gave himself up to the police.
HIS TRIAL AND CONVICTION.
He WAS indicted 0ptahar aud ,,laoJo1 ,ot
guilty the same day. Judge w. B. Smell and
Capt Howard L. Prince were assigned TO his
defense, and on January IA the <rial was COM
menced and it was concluded the following day
with verdict of guilty. The defendant testi-
fed that he had been drinking the day of the
tragedy, and he lay down and went to sleep;
that Pap" kicked him. telling him to get up;
told HIM that he could not werk, as he was too
drunk, and hammered him over the head with
a stick upon which Colbert said he backed I'D
against a post; that a crowd came up to him
and he took out the pistol to keep them off, and
1T went off accidentally.
A series OF fifteen prayers were offered on
the part of the defendant but four of which
were allowed. and exceptions were TAKEN and
motion for new trial was denied. February
he was sentenced to be hanged April s. but
President Harrison reprieved him till May g.
CoLBERT's LIFE.
Colbert was raised at Monticello, on the Wash
lngton branch of the Baltimore and Ohio rail
road, where his father and grandfather reside.
and is of more than average intelligence for
one of his station in life. He attended school
in Montel1o until about twelve years of age and
then went out to work. He had worked for
the railroad in 1884 and again last year. He
bore good reputation in the neighborhood.
and it is probable that his present situation is
due to the use of liquor. Since his Imprisonment
he has occupied cell about the middle of the
west corridor in the south wing, and has been
model in his behavior. When few months
ago Nelson Green and Others professed religion
he did not, like them, at once show emotion,
but seemed to think much on the subject and
to make the welfare of bis soul an object of
sober deliberate consideration. He has spent
much time in reading the bible and other re-
hgious books takes part in the services in an
earnest manner. In prayer he is earnest. and
often his well-chosen words form pathetic SEN
fences that visibly affect those listening.
Under the ministrations of Rev. Mr.. Roberts he
protested religion, and since his conversion he
expressed his willingness either to live or to
die as the Lord wills.