The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-27
STEPHENSON'S SENTENCE
TIE EI-CAPTATN GIVEN THREE
YEAR,S AND NINE MONTHS.
Judge Ingraham Makes Some Interestin z
Observations I'm Passing Sentence.
For "a New Trial.

NEW YORK, Dec. 26-Ex-Police Cap
tain John T. Stephenson was sentenced
TO three years and nine months in State
prison and TO pay a fine Of $1,000 by
Judge Ingraham, in the Court OF oyer
and TeFminer, this morning. \ motion
for new trial was denied, but the mat
ter Will come Jp again on Monday next.
stephenson was convicted December
18th. The charge against him was
bribery in receiving four baskets OF
peaches from Martin y. Edwards pro-
duce dealer at No. 1j3 Duane street, a
partial consideration for allowing Ed
wards 10 violate the law by occupying
the sidewalk 10 facilitate the transdc-
ton OF his business Policeman ThOrne
was mentioned as the go-hetween for
stephenson, and was indicted. sub
sequently Thorne made confession ih
which he stated all he knew Of police
corruption and blackmail. Al the trial
of Stephenson, before the Board OF Police
commissioners, Thorne denied any part
IN the blackmainng transactions Of
perlured himself before the board, and
declared that Stephenson had endeayOred
TO make him reperjure himself al The
tTlal IN oyer ana Terminer.
THE JUDGES COMMENT.
In passing sentence Judge Ingraham
stephenson, you have been convicted
OF bribery by Jury upon evidence that
was absolutely indlsputable. No man
questions that evidence. The. crime Of
bribery is crime against the people
OF the state. II Is not for taking six
dollars worth OF peaches. The size or
KIND or bribe you got Is Of no conse-
quence In the case. The great question
Is the responsibility, the trust reposed In
you that you have violated.
on, an officer given great powers for
me protection of the public, have used
these powers not FOR the benefit of the
pubic, but Tor your own advantage. The
law gives me great discretion as TO the
punishment to be inflicted, and il is
responsibility that in this case / feel
very deeply The fact that innocent per
sOns-yOur wife, children and relatives
will suffer from the nnictiou Of this
punishment is one that while | extremely
regret the necessity that coufrouts me
cannot stay the performance OF my
duty I'm imposing an adequate punish
ment FOR what / consider a most serious
crime.
II have received recommendation for
mercy signed by all of the Jurors. That
recommendation | shall consider and
Shdll give II great weight | have also
received statement from many in
tiuential men in your precinct. saying
that you never asked them for brihcs
ana never endeavored 10 eXtort money
from them. On the other hand, ! have
received communications tending TO show
that this was not an isolated case but
that in many other Instances yOu re-
ceived money while I'm that precinct.
i viii endeaYOr to fix "A penalty which,
while II shall not be excessive or sc-
we're, at the same time will show that
this is a crime most serious. The very
foundation Of society rests upon the
faithful performance by public officers OF
their duties The sentence of th" Court
IS that You shall De confined three Years
and nine months iu the State prison. and
pay a fue OF I.VlJ"
Lawyer Vincent gave notice that he
would move for q stay of execution
How NE TOOK THE sENTENCV
As the seuteuce was pronounced Ste
phensOu shut his teeth hard together
and turned quickly from the bar TO be-
led back 10 the TOmbs. He was sur
rounded by his friends as he started from
the courtroom and was shaken warm
~ by the hand His brother whispered
there was yet hope Of better outcome.
Stephenson remained silent. His eyes
were cast down as he was taken 10 the
TOmbs.
The District Attorney has practically
dropped tbe cases against CAPTAINS Cree
den and Schmittberger when asked
what action he would take regarding
them he said he was not ready to make
statement as yet. but miIht have some
thing TO say later on. Neither of the
men had been promised anything. and
fence whatever action was taken by the
District Attorney WAS entirely Uuhdmper-
ed. The TWO men, however, are under
stood 20 have received assurances of
sufficiently definite character 90 warrant
them In feeling easy as TO criminal pro-
ceedinss against them