The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-30
PRENDERGAST CONVICTED.
The Jury Recommends Death as His
Punishment.

The Jury Out an Hour and Three Min
utes-The Prisoners Bravado De-
serts Him-The Sign of the Gross
Made by the Prisoner on Hearing the
Finding.
Chicago, Dec. 80. = The jury before
which Prendergast was tried for the mur-
der of Mayor Harrison, has returned
verdict of guilty of murder in the first de-
gree, and recommended that he be hanged.
The verdict was reached, after de-
liberation of little over an hour. Prem
dergast ''crossed" himself when it was
announced, but uttered no word. While
the Judge was reading his carefully pre-
pared instructions the prisoners
face betrayed the keenest anx-
iety His open mouth twitched
nervously, and he turned his
il-shaped head at every sound coming
from the entrance to the crowded court
room after the jury had retired He was
fearful of speedy agreement, as he re-
allied that it would be significant of
verdict of guilty. After awhile he was
taken back to his cell, and the tension
which had kept men and women subdued
was relaxed. The jury retired at :25
o'clock.
RTTURN OF THE JURY.
At2:2S o'clock, in the midst of general
conversation and laughter, came bail
IFS shrill voice calling, Take seats
now, gentlemen The meaning of the
order was understood. 1t had the effect
of an electric shock Every eye was
turned toward the door and the buzz of
excitement and conversation died away.
Judge, jury and court officers
took their places and the
prisoner was brought back Prender-
CASTS bravo had fled. The mask had
been torn from his face by fear OF an ad-
verse verdict, and he steod before the
court and jury, naturally a cringing cow
ard. afraid to hear his doom pronounced.
The face of every juror was sphynx-like.
No sign of hope for Prendergast could be
detected there.
PRENDERGAsT CoLLAPsEs.
He dropped into his seat against the
wall and guards stood over him. His pro-
truding lower jaw became limp so that
his lips hung wide apart in imbecile
fashion. A pallor spread over his face
and he stared vacantly in front of him.
He sat there friendless and execrated.
The silence was oppressively intense. 1t
was broken by the voice of Judge Brento,
saying: Have you agree upon verdict,
gentlemen"
1--WE have, your honor" replied fore
man J. Sutter, handing the fatal docu-
ment to the Judge, who transmitted it to
the clerk --.--
THE VERDICT.
That officer quietly opened it in the
midst of breathless suspense, and read as
follows: 1--WE, the jury, find the de-
fpn0aOt patpioly EnoraY1n prau6lrnn St
guilty of murder in the manner and form
as charged in the Indictment, and we fix
his punishment at DEATH
When the clerk uttered the word
death, y Prendergast made the Catholic
sign over his breast with his right hand.
His demeanor was pitiful He looked in
deed miserable wretch in human form.
Not word escaped his lips. The effect
of the death verdict kept the spectators
silent. No one rose to go.
A HITCH IN THE PROCEEDINGS.
Quickly the guards took hold of the
trembling prisoner and were hurrying
him back to the Jail when the voice of the
judge was heard again. Bring the pris-
oner back" he commanded, and the con-
demned man was led back to his seat.
The formality of polling the jury had not
been complied with. It was soon over,
each juror answering Eyes" to the ques
NLOh' w 40 anu 10 uA4Ao AlOW 9OAA fOA
dict?"
Prendergast did not sit down the second
time. He stood pale and terror-stricken
close to his chair, stretching his hand for
support against the wall, while guard
held the other
A MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL.
After the removal of the prisoner At
torney Wade entered formal motion for
new trial, which will be argued next
week.
The crowd then quietly dispersed.
Prendergast created no scene when he
was returned to his cell, and the verdict
was kept from his fellow prisoners as
long as possible. They soon received word
through visitors, however, and Jailer
Morris removed the condemned man to
murderers' row.
His cell being next to that of Painter,
who has been given a respite by Gov.
Altgeld until Jan. 10. Prendergast sent
word that he would not see any visitors,
newspaper men especially.