Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-21
a REMARKABLE SENTENCE.
A Judge Who Took Delight In Pronessss.
Death on . Prisoner.


santa Pc Letter IN Pittsbunx Leader.
One OF the most eccentric and 81 the sane
time one Of the ablest judges that ever at upon
the far western bench vas Kirby Benedict wha.
for thirteen years. was Justice Of the supreme
court OF New Mexico, having been first APP
pointed In isss by President Pierce and re-
appointed by President Buchanan. and sp-
pointed chief justice Of the court by President
Lincoln He WIS . man Of great ability and
learning, strong in his prejudices, violens in
his passions and RELENTLESS In his convictiona
There are many anecdotes told Of yuare
Benedict But the GROWING act OF his fudi-isi
caaeer was the sentence OF death passed by him
upon prisoner convicted Of murder, vkick
sentence Was ss follows;
Jose Maria Martin. stand up Jose Maria Nsr-
TIN. you have been indicted, tried and conyiSsed
by jury Of your countrymen Of the crime q
murder. and the court IL now about 30 $3.50
usual thing. jose Maria Martin, 10 is Q psinfrl
duty by the judge Of q court Of justice 10 pro-
nounce upon q human being the sentences Of
death. There IL something horrible about a.
and the mind of the court naturally revslts
from the performance OF such Q duty. Hap
puy, however, your case IL relieved OF all Zach
unpieasantness. and the court takes poxsvs
delight IN sentencing you 90 death.
fon are young man, Jose Maria Martin.
apparently OF good physical constitution aud
,NNSs nenfh- otuihafhy YOU might lave
looked forward to many years Of life. and the
court has no doubt YOU have. and have en-
pectec TO die ct q green old age: but YOU are
about 20 be cut OF as the consequences OF yaur
own act Jose Maria Martin, it 10 nov he
spring time; In q little while the grass will he
springfng up in these beautiful valleys and ON
these broad mesas and mountain sices flowers
lowly head.
The sentence Of the court 10 that Won h
taken from this place TO the county jail; that
you there be kept safely and securely confsed
In the custody Of the sheriff until the day ap-
pointed Tor your execution. BE very careful
Mr.. Sheriff, that he have no opportunit, 20
escape, and that you have him at The appointed
place at the appointed time: that Won be- 30
Kept Jose Marin Martin. nntii-Mr Clerk ON
what day OF the month does Friday about two
weeks from this time Gomez March a. yeur
honor Very wel-until Friday, the 2ld asv
OF March, when you will be taken from yaur
place OF confinement 20 some safe and convenians
spot within the county Chat 10 in yeur
discretion, Mr.. Sheriff; you are orly Gem
nned TO the limits Of the county,. and thss
you there be hanged by the neck until you
are dead, and-the court was about 20 aid.
Jose Maria Martin, may God have mercy ON
your soul, but the court will not assume fhe
responsibility Of asking an all-wise Providence
to do that which a jury Of your people hsve
refused 10 do. The Lord couldn'i have meFrv
ON your soul However. IL YOU have any re-
ngioos belief, or are connected with any relig-
ious Organization. il might be well enough Tor
you TO send Tor your priest or your minister
and get from him-woIl such consolation M
you can; but the court advises YOU 20 place no
reliance upon anything of that kind hr.
sheriff, remove the prisoner"