New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-27
STEPHENSON SENTENCED.
THE EX-POLICE CAPTAIN GETS THREE
YEARS AND NINE MONTHS.
FINE OF $1,000 ALSO NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
FOR A STAY To BE MADE-JUDGE

FINE OF $1,000 ALSO NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
FOR STAY TO BE MADE-JUDGE
INGRAHAMs REMARKS.
The first captain OF the Municipal Police OF New
York to be sentenced to State prison for extortng
backmail, John T. Stephenson. convicted a fort
night ago in the Court OF Oyer and Terminer, was
yesterday sentenced by Judge Ingraham 10 three
years and nine months Imprisonment and to pay
a fine of $1,000 curious crowd Of spectators filled
the courtroom Inside the railing Police Captain
Donald Grant. brother-in-law of the convicted man.
occupied a seat near him. Ex-Assistant District
Attorney Welman who prosecuted Stephenson when
he tried and dismissed by the Police Board.
was also present Assistant District Attorneys
John F.. Mcintyre and John ID. Lindsay represented
Distrct-Attorney Fellows. Stephenson was con-
vcted on December r. The charge against him
was bribery in receiving four baskets of peaches
from Martin n. Edwards produce dealer at No
153 Duane-st a partial consideration for allowing
Edwards to violate the law by occupying the side
walk facilitate the transaction Of his business
Policeman Thorne mentioned as the go-be-
tween for Stephenson and was indicted Afterward
he made a confession, In which he told all he knew
of police corruption and blackmail At the trial Of
Stephenson before the Board Of Police Commissioners
Thorne denied any part in the Matchmaking trans
actions of Stephenson In his confession, however,
he said he had perjured himself before the Board,
and declared that Stephenson had endeavored to
make him perture himSelt at the tiai IN oyer anu
Terminer Thorpe dd not appear as a witness
before Judge Ingraham.
After Mr.. Vincent had made brief appeal for
mercy Judge Ingraham said: Stephenson. you
have been convicted OF bribery by the jury upon
evidence that absolutely indisputabe. No man
questions that evidence. The crime Of bribery Is
a crime against the people Of the State 1t is not
for taking Sc worth of peaches. The size or Kind
of the bride you got Is OF no consequence IN the
case. The great question is the responsibility, me
reposed In you that you have violated
YOU officer, given great for the protec-
ton of the public. have used these powers. not Tor
the benefit OF the public but for your own advan-
punishment be inflicted. and IT Is responsibility
that In this case feel very deeply. . -
The fact that innocent persons-your wife; chill
dren and relatves-wlll suffer from the infection
regret the necessity that confronts me. cannot stay
the performance Of my duty In imposing an ade-
quate punishment for what | consider a most seri-
Gus crime.
OF the Jurors. That recommendation ! shall con-
slider and shall give It great weight. have also
received a statement from many influential men
In your precinct saying that you never asked thein
for bribes and never endeavored to extor; money
Communications tending to show that this was not
an isolated case, but that in many other instances
Il will endeavor TO fix penalty when, wni.e IT. ~
shall not be excessive severe. at the same TINE
very foundation Of society rests Upon tne ia'', h
performance by public officers OF ther 1u,ea; n
OF the Court ~ tndt you sndll p' Oo"'i'u
three years and nine months in the state prison
and pay a fine Of 5000" . -.
Mr. Vincent gave notice mat ne "ou" 'noNe i"'
"A stay OF execution 80 - H..
Az the sentence was pronounced stephenson smut
bis teeth hard together and turned away quickly
frlm the bar be led back to the Io;nps;
Ue was surrounded by his friends as ne started
IRON, the courtroom and was shaken warmly by the
hand His brother whispered 10 him TO keep up ms
courage. that there was yet nope OF prceer ou
come stephenson remained silent HIS eyes were
CAST down as he was taken To the Bridge OF signs
re refused TO have any conversation Win reporters
and sent word that he had nothing TO say