The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-06-22
The FIRST VICTIM.

THE FIRST VICTIM.
The first Of the malefac,0rs called for sen
tence was Charles spangler, a dapper little
fellow OF about twenty-tlree years of age,
young in years but old in crime His attor-
ney, General A. H. Coiiroth, made strong
plea TO the Court for mercy aad argued that
II sentence was suspended the ends Of justice
would be fully met, as his client had already
been confined in jail for long time await
ing trial, and that the mercy shown the
young man would impel him to reform and
lead an exemplary life in the future.
Spang'er addressing the court said MAY
it please your Honors am not guilty Of the
crime Of which have-been convicted. lam
an innocent man and if sentence is suspend
ed I win promise 10 behave myself for the
rest of my life and be better man"
In reply to this Judge LOngenecker said,
Notwithstanding your proteststions ofin-
noceneei the Court believe You guilty and
think the intelligent jury made no mistake
when they rendered their verdict, finding
you guilty. We have taken your youth
aud what your counsel has urged in your
behalfinto consideration and have determin-
ed to make your sentenced light one, in TIE
hope that when you get out ofthe penitentia-
~ yoG viii be wiser and better man and viii
hereafter lead the lie Of a law abiding citi-
zen. We viii sentence yon to the peniten-
tiary for one year and three calendar months
in each case, but viii suspend sentence in
the second case. II, however, you are eyer
brought before Us again the sentence in the
second case viii be enforced"
The court then pronounced formal sen
tence as follows in each case; THAT YOU re-
store the goods stolen or pay the value Of
them. that you pay fine Of $50 and the costs
Of prosecution and that you undergo impris-
onment by separate and solitary confinement
at labor, in the Western PeniienitiaTy
of Pennsylvania, in the city and county Of
Allegheny, for period OF one year and three
calendar months, TO be computed from this
date and that yon be in custody until this
sentence is complied with"
PARALYzsD WITH EIGHT YEARS.
r Billy Boyer was the second man to take
lis place in the dock. J. 2. Scott, Esq. one
Of his attorneys, assured The Court that the
prisoner wss wrongfully convicted and plead
earnestly fo7 light sentence, as did his col
league, J. G. 0g,e, Esq Boyer himself pro
tested his innocence aad claimed that he
had been convicted on perured testimony.
Judge Longenecker intimsted strongly to
the prisoner that he had committed the
crime of perjury in addition to the offense of
which be had been properly convicted and
then proceeded 10 psralyze him with SEN
tence Of eight years in the penitentiary.
BOB GETs orr EASY.
Robert C. Miller was the third victim. He
came into Court accompanied by his young
girlish-looking wife who sat close beside him
dpring the trying ordeal and occasionally
whispered a word Of comfort 20 him. His
attorneys plead that justice might be temper
ed with mercy in his case. F. J. Kooser,
Esq, spoke with great earneStness and feeling
and insisted that while the defendant had
plead guilty OF manslaushter he was guilt
less OF any crime in connection with the
killing Of Jonathan Hoch4etler. The plea
Of cailty had been entered against
MF. Kooser's Judgement end protest
and he fe,t, had the case gone to
the jury, verdict Of not guilty would
have been returned. Coansel for the Com
monwealth did no. ask for a severe sentence
:" Robert c. Miller have you anything to say
why the sentence Of the law should not be
pronounced upon you,n queried Judge
I,ongenecker after The Counsel had finished
speaking
Fhe prisoner, hearty, healthy, innocent
looking couatry boy Of twenty years
of age arose and in a firm and distinct tone
Of voice said &" l have plead guilty, but l
ana an innoosnt man my father led me in
To this thing without nay knowing it be
took me away from home, into the woods.
TO escape the revenue detectives and ! was
only with them a short time when this
thing happened they said the man vss not
dead and would soon be able to 20 home,
and thought it was 50; as soon as I heard
the man was dead ! told all about
It; / never refused TO tell any
one about it. gave myself up and
made a statement before Squire Miller un-
der oath. was advised TO plead guilty of
manslaughter and did so. This brings
m. here to receive s sentence which 1 mus;
abide by" Judge Longenecker spoke to the
prisoner with some feeling and at some
length. He said that he felt that be had
been more sinned against than SHINING /;
that during the whole Of this lamentable
AID unfortunate affair he had been dominai-
ed BY one slron .er than be, but that as a
plea Of guilty Of msnslaughter had been en-
tered upon the record, the Court bad no al
Tentative bat 10 pronounce sentence. he
then proceeded to sentence the prisoner TO
pay fine of $40, the costs Of prosecution
and undergo imprisonment in the peni.en-
tiary for period Of two years. The prison.
er took bis seat with a deep sigh Of relief