The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1894-07-05
AREMARkABLE SENTENCE.
How Judge in New Mexico Pro-
uOIncpd the Death Penalty.

past winter, while looking over The
records of the District Court, my
attention was directed to the follow
ing sentence Of the court in murder
case, the crime having been com
United in most cruel and barbarOus
manner
"Sentence of death pronounced 10y
Judge Kirby Benedict on lose Maria
Martin, convicted Of murder"
Judge Benedict says:
close Maria Martin, stand up.
You have been indicted, tried, and
convicted by jury Of your own
countrymen Of the crime OF murder,
and the Court is about to pass upon
YOU the dread sentence OF the law.
As i usual thing, Jose Maria Martin,
it IS 4 painful duty of the Judge Of the
court of Justice to pronounce upon a
human being the sentence of death !;
there is something horrible about It,
and the mind naturally revolts from
the performance of such duty
Happily, however, your case IS relieved
of all such unpleasant features. The
court takes a positive delight IN
sentencing you to death. You are a
young man, Jose Maria Martin,
apparently of good constitution and
robust health ordinarily you might
have looked forward to many yeas G.!
life, and the court has no doubt YOU
have, and expected to die of a green
old age but you are now about /" be
cut off in consequence OF your ""n
act. lose Maria Martin, it is Now the:
spring time in little time the gra>s
will be sprlnglng up green IN these
broad mesas, and on the mountain
sides flowers will be blooming, tl'is
will be singing their sweet carols,
nature will be putting on her most
attractive robes; life will be pleasant,
and men will want to stay but none
of this for you, Jose Maria Martin ;
the birds will not sing their carols for
you When these things come to
gladden. the senses of men you will
occupy space 6x2 beneath the sod,
and the grass and these beautiful
flowers will be growing green above
your lowly head. The sentence of the
court is that you be taken from this
place to the county jail; that you be
there safely kept and securely confined
in the custody of the Sheriff until the
day appointed for your exeCution-be
very careful, Mr.. Sheriff, that he has
no opportunity to escape, and that
you have him at the appointed place
at the appointed time-until-Mr
Clerk, what day of the month doe:
Friday, about two weeks from this day
Gomez March 22nd, your Honor
Very we'll Until Friday, the 22nd day
of March, when you be taken by the
Sheriff from your place Of Conhne
ment TO some safe and Convenien,
spot within the county, and that yol
there be hanged by the neck until yot
are dead.
And the court was about to add
Jose Maria Martin, may God have
mercy on your soul, but this court viii
not assume the responsibility of asking
an AllwiSe Providence to do tina
which jury of your peers have re
fused to do. The Lord could no
have mercy on your soul. However
if you affect any religious belief, or i
you are connected with any religious
organization, it might be we'll for you
TO send for priest, or your minister
and get from hlm-well, such consola
ton as you can, but the court advise:
you to place no reliance on anything
of that kind. Mr.. Sheriff, remove thu
prisoner.
The sequel to the above remarkable
sentence is interesting, in that lost
Maria Martin escaped from the count,
Jail and several years afterwards peace
fully met his death in Lincoln count,
by falling backardS out of a wager
and breaking his neck.