Evening journal., 1890-11-18
LAST EDITION
IN JAIL FOR | FE.
Stafford Pleads Guilty in the
Second Degree.
CONRAD WILL DEFEND srARKEy.

Smiths Case Postponed to Await the
Result "f Leach's IuJuries.
Court Of General Sessions of Oyer mad
Terminer reconvened at 30 o'clock yes
terday afternoon, all the judges being
present.
George Epps was arraigued for assault
with intent TO kill Richard Johnson, in
Mill Creek hundred, on November l.
Mr.. Hilles, attorney for the defendant,
stated to the court that he was not ready
to 90 ahead with the case, ana the
prisoner was remanded.
Wilson Stafford colored, who shot and
killed Kennard Chambers, coloreS, on
a farm in 81 Georges hundred, on the
night of November 2, was srraigned He
pleaded not guilty. henry G. Turner,
who had been assigned by the court to
defend the prisoner. stated to the court
that he had not had ii ne 10 prepare for
the trial and asked that u be carried over
until next week. This the chief Justice
declined to do, aud fixed Wednesday next
as the day for trial
Shakespeare Reeves, alias Jacob Star
key the evil-looking mulatto. was
arraigned on the charge of rape on Gcaeie
Clark. September 81 Henry G. Conrad,
one of many lawyers called upon for the
defence, was assigned as Starkey's coun
sell The prisoner pleaded not guilty to
the charge. and Mr.. Conrad was given
until Wednesday to prepare for the trisl
Attorney General John Biggs said that
he was ready in the murder and rape
cases
Fortney Lynch was arraigned on the
charge Of attempting to murder Police
Officer James F. Hershock. Lynch ia an
Italian and Nicholas Fidance, who was
sworn in as interpreter, had TO translate
the indictment for him. He kept shak-
ing his head during the reading, and at
the end said he was not guilty, William
Hllles is his counsel.
The grand jury brought in batch Of
indictments ard was discharged at
o'clock until this morning.
Charles Scott, cclored, was charged
with assault with attempt to kill Isaac
Anderson, cOlored, September 19 In this
city. It was a case of jealousy. scott
appeared in court without a coat but
arrayed in shirt of several colors He
startled the court by pleading guilty to
plain assault. Attorney General Biggs
laughingly: said HE must have been
studying law" Chief Justice Comegys
remarked. HE has been studying the
newspapers
Court adjourned at 10 o'clock.
This Mornings sessioH.
At this mornings session Isaac Davis,
colored, was sentenced to Imprisonment
for one month fer larceny.
Martin Joyce pleaded not guilty tc
attempting TO murder Mrs Sherman, al
whom he threw a brick. She lives on
Cedar street, and the affair occurred ter
days ago. Henry G. Turner, counsel in
the case. said he would be ready to-
morrow morning
Thomas Holcomb, Esq was assigned
to defend Charles Scott, arraigRed on
the charge of attempting to murder
Isaac Anderson.
Stafford ssntensed for life.
At 10 80 o'clock the deputy sheriff en-
tered the court room with Wilson Staf
ford, indicted for murder in the first
degree, Kennard Chambers being his
victim. Attorney General Biggs said tc
the court: "Mr Turner, counsel foi
the defence desires to withdraw the
plea of not guilty as indicted and enter q
plea Of murder in the second degree. |
have examined carefully into the facts OF
this case, and believe that the second
degree is the crime of which the prisoner
is guilty. l am willing therefore to ac-
cept the plea.
A pause of few minutes. in which tht
bench considered ths casa, was followed
by the following remarks addressed to
the prisoner by Chief Justice Comegys
Wilson Stafford. you have been indicted
by the grand Jury at the pre- sent term OF
this court, for murder in the first degree
We have teen informed by the attorney
general that you desire to Withdraw
your plea Of not guilty, as in
dicted, and enter plea of guilt
of murder IN the second dc
gree. He is willing to accept this plea
and we have no reason to doubt hi
judgment 1t remains therefore neces
sary for us to pass sentence, which is
that you be taken hence to your futur
confinement in the New Castle COUNT
jail, where you shall remain for thr
whole term OF your natural life
The prisoner was taken at once to tn
cells. A murmur went up from III
spectators as sentence was pronounced
Az Stafford was leaving ths room hi
head struck the sharp corner of tn
witness stand and the cracl
could be heard all over tn,
room. The murmur increase
to tone OF pity, but he seemed unaf
fected by the Whack, and did not eve
put his hand to his head except to put o.
his hat He seemed TO be re-enactin
those historical words Of Marie Antoin
ette, Nothing can hurt me now
Attempted to KIN an omoer.
The case Of Forteny Lynch, charge
with attempting to kill Police Office
James F. Hershock on the evening o
October 2, was taken up for trial. At
torney General Biggs conducted th
prosecution, and William Hilies wa
the prisoners attorney The police Office
told the story Of the crime, hoy
he was shot at while serving warran
for q man named Dave in Little Italy
was the frs jury trial Of the term. Polio
Officer George M Russell corroborate
Hershock's testimony, he having beel
with him in serving the warrant Tn
state closed here
John Victoria, an Italian, was calle
by the defence, and Nicholas Fidanc
acted as interpreter. he testified tina
the officers called at his house for a ma
who was not there Witness offered eac
of the officers bottle of beer; the chit
justice remarked, THAT wouldn't d
them any harm Johns evidence ws
to the effect that Lynch was in the hous
when the shots were fred.
1t was at this point that Mr. Hilles, b
a supreme effert, pronounced the Italia
name Of the prisoner, "Fortunatus -,
the last name being too long for new
paper columns The witness testi6e
that coat and revolver found by Hei