The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-12-04
JOHN GROWN MUST HANG.
BOARD OF PLRDoSs WILL NOT Iy-
 TERFERE IN THE CASE.

The Murderer of Albert J. Skinner, the
 Windsor Farmer. Win Pay the Penalty of
 His Crime on tho Gniiows Two Weeks
 from To-day at State Prison.
 Hartford, Dec. 3.--The state board of pardons held their regular meeting in the supreme court room this afternoon and heard the cases of several prisoners who made applications for a pardon from the prison. The most important case which the board acted upon was that of John Cronin, who was convicted of the murder of Albert J. skinner a farmer of South Windsor, who employed Cronin.
 Cronin's attorneys pleaded for com mutation of Cronin's sentence on the. ground that the condemned man was suffering from insanity when he com mitted the deed. Attorney Mildeber- ger, Cronin's counsel made a strong plea for the man. Dr. Downs, wto was called as an expert, testified that he had made careful examination of Cronin and stated that In his opinion Cronin was sound mentally. The board heard all the evidence that was produced in Cronin's favor and at o'clock went into executive session. Half an hour later they returned to the court room and 1t was announced that they had decided not to interfere in the case, and denied the pardon for Cronin. The latter in the meantime had been taken back to the state prison by Warden Woodbridge in a car riage. On the ride back to Wethers- field, the warden and the condemned man engaged In conversation. The l warden asked Cronin what he thought l would be the result of the boards s hearing, and the latter replied that he did not think that pardon would be granted.
 "Then you will not be disappointed if they should decide against your" asked the warden.
 No" was Cronin's reply. Cronin said that he was ready to meet his fate and the sooner that 1t was over the better, so far as he was concerned.
 Cronin's manner Is the same that he has shown since he was imprisoned, and is that of sullen unintelligent character.
 Cronin has not been notified of his fate, and he will not hear of it until Warden Woodbridge receives official notification of the action of the board of pardons from Governor Morris. | This will come within few days and then Cronin will learn for the first time that his fate Is sealed.
 The execution will take place on the morning of December IS next between the hours of midnight and sunrise. There are no preparations to be made for the new gallows is in position, and Cronir could be executed in fifteen minutes notice. A coincidence of the hearing to-day was the fact that a convict named Roberts of Stamford who has been serving out sentence for forgery, and who, prepared the plans for the new gallows upon which Cronin is to be hanged, was this after noon granted a pardon by the board. He was to have served three years, but has only spent two years in the prison. The board granted him the pardon for good behavior.
 The crime for which Cronin is to be hanged was committed last fall. He was sentenced March "A, 1894, to be hanged on the 24th of last August. He was reprieved until October "A by the governor, owing to the absence of Dr. Francis Bacon of New Haven, who was in Europe, in order that the whole board would be present to hear Cronin' S petition.