Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-03-02

PATRICK EUGENE PRENDERGAsT.
he expected the worst, and was making
strong effort TO conceal his fear. The
courtroom was filled with spectators
Judge Brentano read a lengthy decis-
ion everything the motion for new
trial
Prendergast arose in response TO the
courts order, and the crowd surged
forward No attention was paid to the
orders of the bailiffs, and the anxious
spectators could not be quoted. When
asked by the court if he knew of any
reason why sentence should not be
passed upon him, Prendergast arose.
Producing few sheets of paper, he
began to read, as follows:
Your honor, i have nothing particular %
say. suppose your honor is under the impress
sion that you have done your duty But this
plea OF insanity has been set up by my attor-
neys without my consent. 1t was an
Infamous. dirty and dsreputable plea.
and done against my objections. Now as
for Juror Murray, 1t is certain to my mind that
from the manner he answered questions
he was anxious 10 be Juror in the
case. There was something wrong
also in regard TO summoning the
veuiremen. Juror Larkin came here
course, the defendant had no control over
this part or the courts work Newspapers had
whole columns about IL at the time and ii is not
necessary for me 10 90 into II further row. We
had no opportunity 10 watch the proceedings
In summoning the jurors"
Here Prendergast laid aside his notes
and seemed to become animated with
his subject. Raising his voice he ex-
tended his long, thin arm, and, gesticu-
lating like a lawyer addressing the
court, continued:
Now, your honor says that Harrison was n
great and good man. l deny this A good
man is generally faithful TO mis- friends and
Harrison was not II he had been good man
lie would not have been hostile toward me.
Harrison was attacked by the news
paper trust We have been attacked by the
newspaper trust. and IL the sentence OF this
court is carried out me you will all be at the
mercy OF this newspaper trust No mans
character or reputation will be safe. Flattery.
blackmail and corruption will prevail don't
know what the result will be.
THE issue in this case was whether l did
right or wrong; whether / did my duty
or not; whether did the will OF God or not.
II did wrong should be condemned and If
did right / should be justified ana ac-
Quilted. This was the real issue in the case,
and that issue was never settled. II the court
wants TO shirk the responsibility in this case 1t
will not be my fault The most OF The motions
made by the attorneys for me have been over
ruled by the court, and that wrong
This great grade crossing issue-if you con-
sent TO my death, my execution, my being
legally murdered, you also consent TO this
that caused me 10 shoot Harrison much Us
his unfaithfulness-I am feeling much better
than when came here"
lie closed 10y declaring that if he went
to the scaffold the jury and doctors
would be infamous throughout all the
ages.
Then Judge Brentano said:
Patrick Eugene Prendergast, 4. is my pain
full duty TO sentence you 10 death The SEN
tence OF the court Is that on March %, between
the hours OF 10 and l2 n m. IN tho county Jail,
you be hanged by the neck till you are dead"
As the last words left the judges lips
Prendergast reeled as if he had been
struck heavy blow. The bailiffs tried
to catch his arm, but before they could
reach him, he had steadied himself by
taking hold of Attorney Gregory's
chair. Resuming his position he again
justified his act. lie would have spoken
further, but the bailiffs led him away
to Jail.
Attorney barrow, for Prendergast,
asked leave TO file u bill of exceptions
within thirty days to take the case to
the supreme court. This was granted,
although the court had overruled his
motion for an arrest of judgment.
NEW YORK, Feb 20. "A communica-
ton addressed TO the New York Times
brings up coincidence that has not
yet been commented on. The writer,
who signs himself Good Friday" says:
OF Chicago. March %, for the execution OF Prem
dergast, the assassin Of Carter Harrison, been
designedly selected because II will be Good FRI
day. or was IL an accidental selection and II so,
will the sentence be executedy The sanctity OF
this holy day, rcverenced almost universally
for It's one preordained execution, has not in
the recollection OF man been desecrated by
such an unhallowed act"