The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-01-15
JENKINS,F LElDsGUILTY
Assumes All the Blame Upon Himself and
Makes a Pathetic Plea for Mercy,
GETS TWO YEARS IN THE PERITEATIARY
Most Touching and Pathetic Scene
Stern, Hardened Men Moved to
Tenrs-Judge Kilby's Humane and
sympathetic Words i'm Passing
Sentencc-Other Cases.

Suffolk. Va, Jan. 14.-(Special.)-Th
trial of Charles w. Jenkins. the de-
faulting paying teller OF the Farmers
Bank, was to-day concluded, and the
jury imposed verdict of two years
confinement in the State penitentiary.
The crowd present was larger, II posi-
BILE to compress any more in the same
space, than that OF yesterday. During
the defendant was uShered In, the atti-
a general air of subdued excitement
and pent-up feeling prevailing over the
audience. As-the case was called and
the defendant was ushcred I'm the atti-
tude of expectancy among the crowd
gave way and was supplanted by an
appalling stillLass as every eye was di-
rected in his direction. The prisoner
was tastefully attired, walked with Il
firm step and presented the appearance
OF having his nervous organi2atio I'M
der perfect control With the cXccp-
ton of a slight pallor. the period of
confinement had left no visible impress
on his Countenance.
After being questioned by Judge Kill
by both the prosecution and defense
announced their readiness for procedure
and the accused was asked To stand
up while the indictment was read. There
were three true bills found by the
grand jury. but the one under which
he Was tried alleged the making OF a
false entry in the cash account on De
c"mh'r 10. 1895. with fraudulent in
tent. the amount secured by this trans
action being $1,000 a plea OF guilty was
promptly entered.
The following jury was then empan.
clled; Willis II. Austin. BARLEY J.
lhnlcl l.. Parker Rrinkley, John T.
capns, Frances Il. ElIenor. George W.
Gardner. Robert p. IIayes J. O. Len
caster. William T.. Lawrence. II. n.
nogrrs. George T. Parker. r. Frank
ItnvnrC 1,t,i,, Il.
ny the Court they were placed i'm their
boxes ana the Commemorative witness
es w. II. Jones. Jr.. ard t., T. HoI-
lahd; cashier and president respectively,
OF the looted bank. were called. AZ
confession had already been made.
only the cashier was examined, and ba
very briefly, no new matter bein.
The defendant was then put upon the
stand and In low and pathetic voice
maze the following brief statement.
Which was not heard except by those
~ plead guilty as charged in the in
ulctmcnt. and assume nil the blame
upon myself. No one else is I'm any ,vav
,mnIicaied. | throw myself upon the
court $ mercy. which ] hope will he
child" Gnu
Col. Is. r. Griffin, of Portsmouth
opened the case in a brisf speech for
me prosecution. He stated that while
ne represented tho Commonwealth of
virginia he was not present for a vico-
ious or bitter prosecution Tho bank
ne SAID. was nc: licking vengeance. but
inc laws OF Virginia must be indicated
he touchinEly referred 10 the, resistance
OF temptation and contrasted human
anu divine attributes. He asked the
Jury 10 send the prisoner up for no
special time.
M Merritt Briggs. ut the conclusion
o ~, Coi. 1riiiin's address. made a. pathc-
tic appeal for mercy. stating that tbnro
was no defense. Every tear that had
been shed by the prisoners relatives
was silent petition for m-rrcy, He
begged that the minimum punishment