The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-12-18
CAPTAIN CONVICTED.
Was a Policeman, and EXtorted Plundcr
From Merchants In His District In
New York.
TEN YEARS AND A FINE OF $1,000.
That Is the Maximum Penalty to Which He.
eEposed..sentonee to eo Passed
Thursday.

New York. Dec. 17.-John T. Stephen
son, who had been degraded from the
rank OF captain " police IN the Firth
precinct and dismissed from the SER
vice, was convicted In the court OF oyer
and Termlner OF accepting brlbe Of
four baskets OF peaches from Martin
w. Edwards, The jury returned 10 the
court room at 7l5 O'Clock, II was
thought, for the purpose OF rendering a
verdict But as soon ns the jurymcn
had tnken ther seats, Foreman Crosse
said that some Of the juIymen wanted
10 hear again the testimony Of Melvin
Wistell, Mr.. Edwards partner. The
minutes OF the stenographer were read
The testimony related 10 his herring
Policeman Thorne demand OF Edwards
fruit instead OF money for the captain
for sidewalk protection The testimony
also gave AN account OF Kelly's calls
at the store and told how Wistell had
sent fruit TO Capt Stephenson.
Juror Mckeon asked where Policeman
Thorne was now. He was told that he
was patrolman In the Fifth precinct
The jury retired.
At 1850 the jury filed into the court
room. The roll was called. Foreman
Crosse was asked If the jury had
reached verdict.
1--WE have" he answered.
"Do you find the defendant guilty Of
the charge in the indictment or do you
ind him not guilty?" asked the clerk
OF the court.
1--WE find him guilty as charged In the
Indictment" the foreman answered.
Lawer Shafer called for a poll OF the
jury. The names Of the jurymen were
called by the clerk, and each one an
swered Guilty" Mr. Shafer asked
that sentence be not pronounced until
next Wednesday,
II will give you one day more" said
Judge lngraham. ~ will pronounce
sentence Thursday Dec. 90"
II was not five minutes from the time
the jury filed into the court room be-
fore the crier announced the adjourn
ment until to-day.
Ex-Captain Stevenson sat in the chair
near his counsel. which he occupied
during the trial. Two Of hlA brothers
sat behind him. He was moLb nervous
while the jury was out than at any
other time during the trial. When tho
jury came in he Strengthened up and
tried to look unconcerned. lie tipped
back in his chair and held his head NJ
defiantly.
with the words. Guilty IA charged. II
Fthe excaptain's face flushed hotly. Then
II became ashy. But his manner was
unchanged. He was stlll defiant. When
the court adjourned, Stephenson's tive
brothers stepped forward and spoke tC
him. Other men In the crowded court
room went up to him and shook his
hand.
Stephenson had been out on $4,000
bail. but as soon as the jury had rem
derod the verdict, Deputy Sheriff
Burke and Under Sheriff Kelly placed
themselves behind him so that there
was no possibility OF his escape. As
soon as the court room WAS partially
cleared. Burke spoke TO Stephenson
The latter put on his hat and coat and
between the two sheriff's officers
walked out OF the building, across tn,
street. and into the tombs.
The maximum penalty which can b'
| imposed on Stephenson Is imprisonment
| for ten years and fine of $4,000. Th'
minimum penalty is Imprisonment foi
one year. Those who watched the pro
gress Of the trial and heard Justice In
graham's rulings ana his charge To thI
Jury are of the opinion that the sentence
will be "A heavy one.
Lawyer Shafer declined TO say wheth
or he would move for new trial oi
whether an appeal would be taken. Blu
from his remarks during the trial. 1t IL
understood that II is the intention e
make every possible effort to keel
Stephenson out OF Sing Sing.
Assistant District Attorney Mcintyre
said that the district attorney would al
once press the cases against the othcl
police captains. He said Schmittbergel
would probably be tried next.
"We have two homicides which VII
take up a day or two" said Mr. Mcln
tyre, but we shall hurry up everything
until we have reached the other police
cases"