The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-28
SHOT DEAD In COURT.
A YOUNG GIRLS ASSAILANT
KILLED By HER BROTHER.

The Accused Had Just Pleaded Guilty
and Been Remanded for Sentence.
His Slayer Arrested Without Max
ing Any Resistance-A Lynching
Sensation IN the Same Building.
New YORK, June 27.-Max Clerget, IS
years old, was shot and instantly killed In
part of the court of general sessions this
morning by Edward Divins, Of No. 652
Washington street. Clerget had been
arraigned before Judge MARITIME on charge
of assaulting Divins' 15>year-old sister,
Sarah, on June is, and pleaded guilty.
He was then remanded for sem
tence until Thursday, and as
he turned and walked through
the aisle to return to the prisoners pen,
young Divins arose and holding a self
cooking derringer to Clerget's heart fred be-
fore hand could be outstretchsd to re-
strain him. Clerget fell dead. Instantly
the court room was in commotion. Women
screamed and fed and men swayed to and
fro to get near to the murderer and his
victim. Divlns when arrested was very
cool and went out OF the court room with
two policemen, who escorted him to the
city hall police station. The body of Cler-
get was removed soon afterward and Judge
MARITIME adjourned court for the day.
Divins' sister lived with her widowed
sister, who had married Clerget's brother
and who helped to care for the children.
She was alone on June Is when Clerget
visited his sister-in~law's house, at 543 East
Fifteenth street, and accomplished his pur
pose.
CLERGET's PLEA.
A few minutes before young Clerget was
shot Rev. Thomas Dixon had been called
upon TO plead to an indictment for lbeling
Excise Commissioner Koch, and then Cler-
get stepped to the bar to plead. He seemed
to feel his position keenlY. His face was
very white. perspiration stood In beads on
his forehead. The little girl whom he had
ruined was IN court and began to cry sofsly
as Clerget admitted his guilt. The prisoner
never looked at her. demanded
until Thursday for sentence" said Judge
MARITIME. Up to this point the
case had been conducted In the most rigid
routine way, and little or no attention was
paid to the prisoner, as he turned his back
on the Judge and started for the prisoners
pen. Young Divius sat near the pen on the
end OF one of the benches reserved for the
public. One side is partially paralyxed and
he Is thin, emaoiated looking man. As
Clerget approached him his blue eyes blaxed
with fire. He leaned partly forward. Peo-
hand in his jacket pocket.
THE FATAL SHOT.
ClerRet saw him just as he neared the
pen door. He faltered and raised his hand
in deprecatIng way toward Divins. who
sprang forward, clapped his pistol close to
the left breast OF bis sisters betrayer and
fired one shot. Clerget feti dead on his
| back. For an instant there was not an
other sound in the room. The smoke from
the pistol mounted quickly In the air.
Divins stood over his victim, a look of
hendish hate on his face and his derringer
pointed down at the motionless figure on
the floor. The police finally awoke first
from their lethargy and jumped for the
murderer. He made no resistance, and was
led into the hall. Then he became hysteri-
cal and cried aloud for his sister. Mean
while the greatest excitement prevailed. A
number of women in attendance as witt
neSses in an arson trial which has been
going on for some time. made "a mad rush
for the door. With remarkable presence of
mind Judge MARITIME ordered the doors
closed and then directed the court officers
TO let the people out quietly. Judge Mar
tine personally directed the clearing of the
court room and then adjourned court.
DIvINS ARRAIGNED.
Divins was promptly arraigned before the
coroner, who had previously viewed the
body. Dtv1ns gave his age as 25 and his
residence as No. 447 East Sixteenth street.
The coroner asked him why he shot the man
The prisoner made no reply. At times,
however, he complained that the handouts
hurt him and he demanded that they be
loosened. He had a peculiar look about his
eyes and glared at those about him when
ever he was questioned. On the way to the
coroner's office, the police said that the
prisoner had made statement to the effect
that the dead man had ruined his sister and
that he shot him for so doing.
The murdered man was about 5 feet 10
| inches in hight and IN death had the appear
ance OF having been a repulsive looking fell
| low. He was Frenchman, was born in Paris
and had been in this country less than two
years. He had been a messenger. but at
the time of the commission of the crime
against the girl was out of employment.
ANOTHER SENSATION.
Hardly had the excitement caused by
Clerget's murder subsided when another
scene interrupted a trial in part Of the
same court In the same building. John
HE'D was on trial charged with rape on
S-year-old Rosa Lieber of No. 130 Willett
street, on March s, 1891. The case had
just been closed when a well-dressed
man sitting among the spectators sprung
suddenly to bis feet and yelled: "Who's
got ropea Who's got a roper The ex-
cited individual was quickly pounced upon
By several court officers and hustled out of
the court room and building. He was not
arrested. Considerable excitement was
caused by this mans outbursts. He proved
TO be George Dawson, whose address is un-
knnvgn