Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-30
PRENDERGAST TO DIE
so SAYS THE JURY IN THE CASE OF
HARRlSoN'S SLAYER.
PitiabIe Abjcctness of the Condemned Man
on Hearing His scntence-Motion
for New Trial.

CHICAGO. ILL, December 2s.-The
jury before which Prendergast was tried
for the murder OF Mayor Harrison mas
returned verdict Of guilty OF MURDER
in the first degree. and recommended that
Prendergast be hanged.
The verdict was reported after de-
liberation OF a little over an hour Prem
dergast Crossed himself when II was
announced, but uttered no word
while the Judge was reading his care
fullv-nrepared instructions the prisoner
face betrayed the keenest anxiety. rus
open mouth twitched nervously' ana NJ
turned his fl-shaped head at every souii1
coming from the entrance to the croWueu
courtroom after the jury had reureu'
He was fearful of a speedy agreement
as no realized that that would be stgnifi-
cant OF verdict OF guilty. After while
he was taken back to his cell In the Jai'
and the tension which had kept the men
and women in the courtroom supuueu
was relaxed.
THE JURY RETURNS.
The Jury retired at l:25 p. NJ. AT 2;2S
o'clock, in the midst Of general CONVERSE
ton and laughter, came a bailihs shrili
voice calling, Take seats now, gentie-
men," The meaning of the order was
well understood 1t had the effect OF an
electric shock Every eye was turned To-
wards the doors. and the buzz OF excite
ment and conversation died away.
Judge, Jury, and court officers took their
places, and the prisoner was brought
back Prendergast's brayado and VANITY
had fed. The mask had been torn from
his face by the fear of an adverse Ver-
4 -
jury natural-a cringlng coward, afraid
to hear his doom pronounced The coun-
| tenance of every Juror was sphynx-like.
No sign of hope for Prendergast could
be detected there He dropped into MS
| seat against the wall and the guards
stood over him. His protruding lower
| Jaw became limp, 80 that his lips hung
wide apart in imbecie fashion. pallor
spread over his face, and he stared va
cantiy I'm front of him. He sat there
| friendless and execrated. The excitement
was oppressively intense. 1t was broken
| by the voice OF Judge Brentano saying,
Have you agreed upon a verdict, gem
! tlemen?" I'VE have. your Honor. re-
piled Foreman J. Sutter handing the
| fatal document to the Judge, who trans
mitted II TO the Clerk. That officer quiet
| ly opened 1t In the midst Of GREATNESS
| tuHptIlSt anu ltii a. ipiAS"''
THE VERDICT.
1--WE. the Jury, find the defendant, Pa
| trick Eugene Prendergast, guilty OF MUIR
der in the manner and form as charged
| In the indictment, and we fix his punish
ment at death
When the Clerk uttered the word
death" Prendergast made the Catholic
sign OF the cross over his breast with
his right hand His demeanor was piti-
fully abject He looked indeed a misera-
bic wretch in human form. Not word
| escaped his lips The effect of the death
verdict kept the spectators silent. No one
| rose TO go. Quickly the guards took hold
OF the trembling prisoner, and were car
rying him back TO the jail when the
voice Of the Judge was heard again.
Bring the prisoner back" he COM
manded, and the condemned creature was
led back to his seat. The formality Of
polling the jury had not been complied
with 1t was soon over. each juror an
swering Yes" to the question Was,
and is this now, your verdictY'
IPRENDERGAST TERROR-S STRICKEN
| Prendergast did not sit down the second
time. He stood pale and terror-stricken
close TO his chair, stretching one hand for
| support against the wall, while a guard
held the other.
After the removal of the guilty wretch
Attorney Wade entered a formal motion
for new trial, which will be argued
next week. Then the crowd quietly dis
persed.
PreDdergast created no scene when he
was returned 10 his cell, and the YER
diet was kept from his fellow-phsoners
as long as possible. They soon received
word through visitors, HOY. ever, and
Jailer Morris removed the condemned
man tonight 20 "Murderers' Row" his
cell being next to that of Painter, who
has been given a respite by Governor Alt
geld until January 18th. Prendergast
sent word that he would not see any visl-
tors. newspaper men especially.