The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-30

his crime has so irritated Prendergast as
comparison between himself and Guiteau,
but in the courtroom this afternoon he
showed that one trait existed in common
between them. He proved himself an un-
manly, miserable coward, who viii save
his own life at any price. When Clerk
Fitzgerald arose and read the finding OF
jury the prisoner stood clutching the back
of the chair. his face flushed and his knees
trembling violently.
I'VE, the jury, find the defendant,
Patrick Eugene John Prcndergast. guilty
OF murder in the manner and form as
charged in the indictment, and fix the
penalty at DEATH" read Fitzgerald. Then
Prendergast revealed himself an utter
coward. His face turned pale, he opened
his mouth to speak, but only faint mur-
mur came He moved slightly. and would
have fallen but for the assistance OF the
baillff When the jury was polled he
listened with avidity to each and every
answer to Judge Brentano's question. and
as each Juror In turn reiterated the verdict
the last vestige of courage lett Prendergast.
He was half carried back to his cell. where,
refusing to speak, he threw himself upon
a bunk in an attempt to hide from his fell
faction over the verdict were more en-
phatic than graceful and more sincere than
polite.
In the course of his closing argument
Attorney Trude. for the prosecution. had
occasion to refer to Henry George. the
great "sinsle tax" advocate. whom be
characterized a. "a migratory and pesti-
ientisl paranoic."
Trude closed with an eloquent plea for
convection of the prisoner. who, he de-
clared, had been proved sane by pre-
ponderance Of evidences. The court then
took a recess till l o'clock. Promptly at
that hour Judge Brentano began his
charge to the jury. Prenderga.t buried
his face in black handkerchief and did
not look up until at the close of the judges
charge the word death" was uttered,
when the prisoner looked up for an in
slant.
Upon the question of insanity. which
was the main point at issue, the judge said
IL the Jury believed the defendant COM
mitted the crime as charged. knowing IL
was wrong. IL Was the duty of the jury to
find the prisoner guilty, even though they
believed Mt the time the crime was COM
rittei the prisoner was not perfectly sane;
bnt If tn. Jury believed that at tn. time
the act was committed the prisoner was
not OF sound mind. but affected With in
sanity, and that such affection was suffi-
cient cause of the act. then the prisoner
ought TO be acquitted. IL the jury had any
doubt as TO the prisoners sanity. the law
gives hIm the benefit of the doubt. II the
Jury believed the defendant was iaboring
under delusion which deprived the
sccused Of the power of choosing between
right and wrong, then the jury must acqait
him.
At 80 the jury retired to consider th.
verdict Nothing vas heard from them
for exactly an hour. Then BaiiitI Busse
hurried through the room TO notify the
taller to bring the prisoner into court. and
few minutes later the jury filed in and
took their places. As Prendergast took
his seat the ladge said Have you
agreed upon q verdietg" The tselve men
bowed assent, and Foreman Sntter handed
the raper containing the verdict 20 ClerE
fitzgerald. Whea Fitzgerald read IN
measured tones the inding Of the jury the
prisoner had focused upon him tbs eyes
of nearly every person ia the room, and
with difficulty he kept from breaking
down. Attorney Wade made the usual
request that the jury be poiied, and then
tie prisoner was removed and the iudge
announced thss tae jury vas excused aud
the proceedings were at an ed. Before
adjournment Of the court Wade made the
usual application for nsx trial. and the
Judge announced that be would hear the
motion on = futnre daie.
TIE mother Of the prisoner did not trust
herself TO remain IA court 10 hear the re-
suit of the trial. but fingered around the
corridors waiting for the first news TO
come from he court room. When IL came,
an instant alter the verdlct vas rendered.
she tottered away, clingipg ~ the bannis-
ter for support as she descended the stairS.
John Predergast, she pr ssner's brother. IL
he vas in court, LETT without attracting
stteaiion. Trade and his associate. Todd,
received hearty congratulations. Preston
Harrison being one OF the fFsi 20 thank
Trude fer his Efforts BEFORE announcing
the verdIcg tie IuryrHsn agreed not 20
make paClic the scenes IL tie jury room,