The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1894-01-06
HARRISON'S SLAYER IS SANE.
Verdict of Guilty Returned ID the Prald8r'
CAST Murder Case,

NHltAGO, Ill, Dec -S--tlo.Ii lllls All
ernoon the jury in the Prendergast case
came into court and returned a verdict
finding that the defendant was sane
when he killed Carter Harrison
and holding the prisoner guilty Of
murder in the first degree. The jury
declared that PrendergaSt should hang.
Attorney Trude resumed his closing
argument for the prosecution III the
Prendergast trial to-day. He paid par
tCuiar attention IN opening to the re-
ligloUs disposition shown by the pris-
Oner and showed the contrast between
his prOtestations Of Christianity anu his
cruelty TO boys smaller than himself
The courtroom was crowded with
spectators. Prendergast's face assumed
a rlckeniug paIlor as he was brought
into court To witness the last scenes in
the proceedings which meant life or
death 10 him.
When LAWYER Trude concluded the
Court began his address to the jury.
Judge Brcntano ; charge was Il lengthy
one. During the course Of ii he said
that if the jury believed bevOnd a rea-
eoHabie doubt that the prisoner was ca
papie Of choosing 10 commit or not TO
commit the act, he should he
found guilty even though they
believed he was not at the
time perfectly and entirely sane San
iry j. an Ingredient of crime, the Court
continued, and if the jury entertained
a reasonable doubt Of the prisoners
sanity he should be acquitted
The court then instructed the Jury "a
to the various forms 81 verdict and the
twelve men filed out to decide the fate
of the prisoner.
tn 10
courtroom after beingoIt one hour and
three minutes, the prisoner was not in
the room, having been pre- yIously re-
moved To the jail. TWAS fully five min
utr7 before he could be brought back
When he had reached his seat Judge
Brentano addressing Foreman Sutter,
asked ii the jury had reached YER
diet.
We have, your honor" replied Mr.
suffer.
"What is your yerdict?" asked the
Court
Foreman Suffer then proceeded 10
read in solemn voice the following YER
dict: I'VE, the jury, find the defend
ant, Patrick Eugene John Prendergast.
guilty of murder in manner and form as
charged III the Indictment, and fix the
penalty at death.
brrndcrgast, who was fear-stricken
and trembling when brought back to
court, utterly collapsed when this an
nuuncement was read. lie sank back
IN his chair, his chin dropped, and he
he seemed completely dazed bv the
news Oi his terrible fate. He looked APP
pealingiy Il the Court and the jury, and
tears gIIstrncd in the ewes from which
heretofore only fierce glances of hatred
have been shot.
" soon a7 the verdict was announced
tine balIitfS grabbed the miserable,
trembling prisoner. ana started to rush
him back to his cell in murderers' row.
They had nearly reached the door
when Judge BrentanO ordered them TO
stop.
let the prisoner remain while the
jury is poIIel. - he said.
frendcrgast took his stand before the
chair in which ne has jcrked and
rqurmed during the progress of his
trial, and nerVousiv Clutched the back.
Then Judge Brentano -olemnly pat To
each juror the question: WAS this and
is this now your Ncrdlct?'
Calmly but dccisjNtIv each Of the
twelve jurors answered in the attirma-
tive, and each reply added more and
more TO the pitliul. dcspa!ring look ON
the trembling prisoners face.
v hen the Last juror mad made his
answer Prrndergast's knees shook, his
chm dropped down and he would have
fallen had not one Of the attending
baIlffs lent a supporting arm.
The duty of the jury was then fin
ished, a Just judgmcnton Il cowardIy as
sassinalion had been pronounced. the
murderer had been informed that his
life must pay the penalty and he was
half led and half carried back to his cell
Foreman Suffer was seen after the
verdict Was returned He said that an
agreement bad been entered into bv
the jurors tina; none of them should
speak of what took place IN the jury
room.
Il can't tell YOU how many ballots We
took, said Mr. Suffer, cor how the
jury stood at the start. We felt that
from the evidence We must find the
prisoner guilty Of the crime charged
and tiY his penalty at death. 1t was a
hard task We had to perform and am
glad that il i over
FOR the aSsassln's conviction great
credit > due tu Alr. Trude That great
lawyer made the effort Of his lie in
prosecuting III" ru!prit. With him it
WAS a labor of love. the high esteem
in winch he held the late Mayor llar-
rison prompted him Ia use every hon
"rabic means 10 bring the murderer To-
the guilow-