The Washington times., 1894-04-13
FOUND VERY GUILTY.
Jack the Slasher Convicted on Four Counts
and Remanded for Sentence.


Jack the Slasher Convicted on Four Counts
and Remandcd for Sentence.
District Attorney Birney yesterday morn
ing concluded the case against George Tay-
lor, alias George Jones, who as Jack the
Slasher," amused himself during the pas,
Winter in keeping feminine and, il the truth
be acknowledged. masculine hearts In tremu-
lous vibration.
When brought into court, "Jack" dropped
into chair and assumed an attitude as list
less as 1t was picturesque, and this graceful
posture was maintained throughout the court
proceedings. The courtroom was crowded
with sensation-seekers, and 1t was observed
that the feminine department Of life was vel
represented.
In his argument before the jury, Mr.. Birney
conceded that the defendant was not oi
sound mind, and that the question at issue
was as to the capacity Of the man to distin-
guish right from wrong. Mr.. Birney then
briefly discussed the testimony rendered, and
contended that Jack" knew he was commit
ting wrong in entering Mr.. Hollands house.
At the conclusion of the District Attorneys
argument, Judge Cole delivered liberal and
comprehensive charge to the jury. in which
he explained the charge in the indictment. for
honsebreaking. and asserted that the only
question to be determined was as to whether
the prisoner had mind enough at the time OF
the crime to form the intent to steal.
The Judge held that partial insanity was no
excuse for crime, unless the criminal act held
the relation thereto of cause and effect, and
in this connection he read the instructions
given the jury by Judge Cox in the Guitean
case.
In conclusion Judge Cole considered that
the wanton destruction by the prisoner of
at,ttr rr..l do sr.h f.,xt Al
the theory that he was conscious Of commit
ting wrong.
A further question TO be considered was as
to the motive that actuated the ''Slasher:''
whether the destruction was the result Of an
insane impulse or the act Of a wicked mind.
The jury retired at 11.45, and thirty-five
minutes later returned a verdict OF guilty as
indicted on the second count OF the indict-
ment, that is, breaking into Mr.. Holland s
house at night.
The verdict was heard by Jack with
seeming indifference, but en- route to the pris-
oners' pen his features frightened with a
smile as OF relief.
The maximum penalty to which Jack is
liable is ten years at hard labor in the peni-
tentiary, and as four other indictments con-
front the unfortunate. it is safe to predict that
ne will not be seen in the theater OF his mis-
deeds for another decade.
solidated by Mr.. Rirney Jor convenience of
trial, charge the ''slasher'' with breaking into
and robbing the houses Of James C. Malcolm,
Amanda A. Wall, Robert II. Young, and Floyd
T. Frost on the 27th OF August, 1893, January
2S, 1894, October Is, 1898, and November 5,
1888, respectively.
Mr.. Malcomb. Mrs. Wall. Mr.. Young, and
Mr.. and Mrs. Frost testified as to the break
ing into and robbing OF their houses. and to
Identifying their property, which Detectives
Weldon ard Burrows and Officers Easily and
Low testified had been recovered from the
prisoner. who admitted taking the same from
the various houses.
No evidence was submitted in defense, but
Mr.. Taylor moved that all the cases except
that of Mr. Frost be taken from the jury, as
se-tinc that no entry by the defendant had
been shown. This motion was overruled by
the court.
Judge Cole then instructed the jury as to
each case separately, and at 2.25 the jury re-
tired.
At 4.30 the jury returned verdict Of guilty
Oh all four o: the indictments. He was re-
manded for sentence.