The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-03-21
DOOMED TO DEATH.
Harris Berates All His
ACCuSerS.
DRAMATIC SCENE IN COURT.
The Murderer Is Sentenced, Though
the Mob Cheered Him, and He
Has Public Sympathy.
DRAMATIC SCENE IN COURT.


NEW YORK, March 2O.-There was a dra
matte scene in the Court of General Ses-
sions this morning when Carlyle w. Harris,
the young medical student, was called TO
the bar 10 receive the sentence of death for
poisoning his secretly welded bride, Helen
May Potts.
Public sympathy had been aroused TO an
unusual degree in behalf Of the young man,
and it went 10 the extent of holding mass
meeting in MadiSon-square Garden. But
all was without avail TO stay the action OF
the law.
There was an immense thrnng of people
around the building in which Recorder
Smythe sat this morning. Admission was
forbidden to all except those bearing cards
from the District Attorney. but in spite OF
this the courtroom was crowded before tue
time for sentence to be passed.
Harris WAS finally brought in, looking
worn, haggard, and showing unmistakable
signs OF the terrible ordeal through which
he has been lately passing.
When the court opened the Recorder
called the prisoner to the bar and he re-
sponded, walking unsteadily, with evidence
of extreme weakness. BE was asked if he
had anything TO say why sentence should
not be passed uIon him. when he leaned
AC"N4'J 4Ol SuppolL Oll bIO IAN anu UtBdU
reply in voice inaudibe, except to those
immediately at his elbow. After one or
two unintcntional Interruptions by people
coming in, the stiffness of death settled
over the courtroom, but the words of the
doomed man were still inaudible, except
once in while when he reached some point
in the case which moved him strongly,
when he would utter a sentence or two
with startling strength and distineiness,
and then give way to evident weakness and
talk ia an undert0ne.
At the close Recorder Smythe sentenced
him TO be executed during the week begin
ming May Z.
There were wet eyes in the courtroom at
times during Harris speech, and muir
INJURED sounds, showing that the throng
was deeply moved. Among the most dra-
matte points in the speech were where be
denounced Dilworth, and when lie called
Cnoat, newspaper man, sneak, perjurer,
outcast and District Attorneys teol; where
he denounced Assistant District Attorney
Wellman as a liar; where. with tears
streaming from his eyes and sobs CON
vutsing his frame, he turned to thank his
counsel, Lawyer Howe. saying he was
poor man and could never repay his de-
votion. and ending by handing him the en-
velope which he said contained his dearest
possession. Helen's last gift to him.
Harris spoke an hour and forty minutes,
but he made no sign as the Recorder hur-
riedly pronounced the date for his execu-
tiOn. At the close of the scene he was
taken back to the Tombs.
The envelope which lie handed his law
yer contained par of cuff buttons.
When Harris reached the tombs on his re-
turn there was big crowd waiting to see
him.
Three cheers and tiger for Harris"
cried some one, and they were given with a
will, and Harris walked in with a smile on
his face.
Once inside the prison he said: We'll, it
is all over now, but am ready to die, al
though l declare solemnIy that l am an in
nocent man. l feel like man who mas
done good days work and is tired. l am
surprised at The way held out"
Lawyer Howe said that in accordance
with the special request of Harris no mass
meeting will be held in his behalf. The
lawyers are confident that an appeal to the
Governor will be successful in averling the
execution of the death sentence.