Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-09
MUST SUFFER- FOR HER PERJURY
Mrs. Osborne Sentenced to Nine Months
imprisonment for Her Crime.

Mrs. Osborne Sentenced to Nine Months
imprisonment for Her Crime.
LONDON, March 9.-Mrs. Florence Ethel Os-
borne was sentenced this morning in the CEN
trail criminal court to nine months imprison-
ment at hard labor for perjury and larceny in
connection with the theft Of jewels from hor
cousin, Mrs. Hargraves.
Greatest efforts have been made to save her
from imprisonment, especially in view OF the
fact that she is about to become a mother. In
court today her counsel, Sir Charles Russell,
made a plea on her behalf. Sir Charles trusted
that the court in pronouncin8 sentence would
consider the prisoners condition and the
anguish OF mind to which she was subjected.
At this point Mrs. Hargraves. who was
present and who seemed greatly affected, asked
the court if she might speak. The judge re-
piled: "Only upon an appeal for mercy"
Mrs. Hargraves, who was now in tears. cried
out: II do appeal for mercy with all my heart.
have known and loved Ethel (Mrs. Osborne)
all my life and am convinced that she 10 not in
her eight mind"
Mrs. Hargraves here broke down and could
not con tinue her appeal. The scene was very
affecting all the principals in the sad affair be.
ing in tears and most Of the ladies in tho court
room also weeping and uttering sobs. The
judge maintained his stocism and proceeded
10 deliver sentence. Turning toward the
prisoner he said. Florence Osborne you
have pleaded guilty to larceny and
perjury. You stole y0Nr friends Jewels when
stay ing at her house aud converted the pro-
ceeds of the theft to your own use. When the
finger Of suspicion pointed to you, the thief.
You commenced an action to vindicate
your character and falsely and cOrruptly
swore in the hope Of convincing tho jury
that you were not thief. You sat daily in
structing your eminent counsel with suKges-
tions that your friends were thieves. 1t IL i'm
possible to forecast what the result of that
lotion would have been but for the appearance
OF AN unexpected witness. Possibly an indeli-
BILE stain of ignominy would have been liked
upon the character Of Mrs. Hargravss. I am
aware of your condition l also take into con-
sideration the facts that the stolen tewelry has
been returned to the owner and the costa of the
law suits refunded to her. Also that you have sur
rendered to justice and that you have already
served some time in prison. You are liable to
seven years imprisonment for your crime, but
considering your condition and the position In
which you are placed, or have placed yourself,
the sentence Of the court 10 that you be i'm
prisoned for nine months, with such labor o.
your health permits"
Az she heard the sentence pronounced tho
prisoner sobbed aloud. She WAS astonished
and overcome by the words Of the judge. and
a moment later she tainted and fell from her
chair. She was carried to the warden Q
/, cell. Mrs Hargraves seemed almost as much
overcome a. her unfortunate friend. Major
Hargraves and Capt Osborne both turned
psle with emotion. The crowd quickly dis
persed with very little noise. Everybody
seemed cast down by the sad scenes that had
| been witnessed.