The record-union., 1892-03-26
FOURTEEN YEARS AT FOLSOM.
Harry Gordon, One of the Murderers
of Robert Allen, Sentenced.
The Punishment Made Light on Ac-
count of His Services to the
Prosecution.

Milton Halligan, better known as
Harry Gordon, the young man who con-
fessed that he assisted in the robbery and
murder of Robert Allen, in May of last
year. appeared before Superior Judge
Van Fleet yesterday afternoon for sem
tence.
The young man, as usual, was tidy and
neat and nodded affably to the District
Attorney and other court officers. When
the Judge entered and took his seat, how
ever, Gordon became quite serious in his
demeanor and the color deserted his face.
The court ordered him to stand up, and
he obeyed promptly. After his honor
told the young man that he had been in
dicted by the Grand Jury for murder,
and that having pleaded guilty, it was
the courts duty to pronounce Judgment,
he was asked if he had anything to say
why sentence should not be passed.
PLEA FOR LENIENCY.
Gordon glanced toward his attorney.
ex-Judge Blanchard, and the latter arose
and addressed the court. Mr.. Blanchard
said that when Gordon was first ar
ralgned on the charge of murder he en-
tered plea of not guilty, and having no
attorney the court appointed him (Mr.
Blanchard) to look after the defendants
interests. Prior to this indictment Cor
don had been in the service of the State,
before Aliens DEATH as witness in the
robbery cases. He had given valuable
testimony for the State, and thus placed
himself in an awkward predicament
when Allen died from the effects of the
robbers hammer. The prosecution real
lied that it could not safely proceed with
the case without Gordon's testimony, and
a hny
the service of the State. The speaker adj
vised his client that this would be
the proper course, and that he should
give IN detail all of the facts in his pos
session. Gordon acted upon this advice
and again testified in behalf of the prose-
cutlon. 1t was often necessary in the adj
ADMINISTRATION of justice for the District
Attorney, who is the agent OF the State,
TO make concessions to one or more de-
PENDANTS IN order to bring others to the
bar. Gordon had fulfilled his contract
faithfully, and the attorney thought he
was entitled to immunity to reasonable
extent. Further than this Gordon was a
young man, scarcely q years of age. He
was tatherless and motberless, and had
been for years. He was led into commit
ting the awful crime by persons much
older than himself. 1t was not the intent
OF the law to squeeze the soul out of a
young man who had erred. and he hoped
the court would be lenient.
GoRDoN's SERVICES.
District Attorney Ryan, on behalf of
the people, also asked that the court TAX
into consideration the services Gordon
had rendered by turning States evil
dence. From the very beginning he had
been a willing and truthful witness, and
had given the fullest details of the terri
bic crime that had been committed He
first made statement before Aliens
DEATH w1thoutany promises ofimmunity.
When the crime developed into murder
it became necessary that he should be
continued as witness for the people, and
under those circumstances he was prom
Used some immunity. Mr.. Ryan said the
court was no doubt familiar with the
difficulties under which the prosecution
has to labor in the administration of
justice, and was aware that at times prom
lSeS have to be made to criminals in order
to get their testimony.I
Judge Van Fleet turned to Gordon.
at has been truthfully suggested said
the court that frequently it becomes
absolutely essential that'those who rem
resent the people are called upon to make
concessions TO one or more defendants. in
order that justice may be done in a greater
extent than could be done without the
facts obtainable from such defendants,
and thus disclose the true facts of the
case. In that case the District Attorney
is placed in this position, and I am salts
fed that his course was justified. The
crime was terrible one, still it is a fact
that the defendants did not contemplate
the result of their assault, 1t happens
to your advantage, Gordon, that YOU
were instrumental in obtaining what +
believe to be.