The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-11-14
SENTENCED
TO DEATH.
Oyer and Tsrminsr Court Passes
on thu willis Case;
Ii nay NOT 5'E however,.
Jurors. Have Signed a Petition
Asking that Clcmency BE
Shown the Convicted
Man-Of Unsound
Mind.

Thomas Willis tho colored man who
| murdered his year and a half old daughter
| Gallo near HUckessin, and who was found
guilty in Oyer and Terminor Court on
| Wednesday, had that death sentence pass
| ed upon him In the Court this morning.
| But Is altogether probable that the SEN
| tonce will not be carried into execution.
Harry Whiteman and Josiah Marvil,
Wills counsel have secured II petition sig
| ned by all the Jurors the convicted the
| prisoner, recommending that the sentence
| be committed to one of life imprison-
ment This being almost assured Mr..
| Marv!l this morning withdrew his reasons
for now trial filed yesterday. After coun
! sci had so motioned Deputy Attorney Gen.
ernl Cooper moved for sentence in tho
case. Chief Justice Lore commanded tho
prisoner to stand up.
Thomas Willis, you have been indicted
by the grand jury of this county for muir
dor of tho l1rst degree, Upon that indict.
ment you have had fair md impartial
trial, and your counsel urged for yon every
plea that In their Judgment they could
possibly urge for your defense. The jury
rendered "A verdict Of guilty, and the court
Is now about to pass sentence upon You
for that crimo Have you anything to say
before the court pass that SeDtrnCef'
The prisoner answered no s!r!' calmly
and deliberately.
The sentence of the court is that You
Thomas Willis, be now taken from tho
bar Of This court to the public prison OF
New Castle County, the place from
whence You came, and that you bo there
safely and securely kept in custody until
Friday, tho 100 Ii day Of next February,
and that On that day between the hours
Of 10 in the morning and in the afternoon
you bG taken to some convenient place OF
private execution in the precinct of tho
a ~,
aud there hanged by tho neck until you
BE- dead, and may God have mercy upon
your soul
you are now committed to tho custody
of tho sheriff OF Now Castle county until
this sentence is carried into cxoCU lon
Then willis was led from thu cuurt "o9n
by the proper authorities.
eS,Hhs sentencing Of murdcrcrs casts II
gloom over the entire court room but Su.
pprlur Conrt bu,inc g jIisprllcd that gloom
in aiew minutes this morning
Deputy Attorney General Cooper IN the
case Of Christopher Bonash, who l. !NtlIct.
cd for GcsortlOn and nOn-support, mOIioNcl
for "A continuance in the case until tho
next term, which was granted In the
meantime BOnash will contribute ~
weekly to the support Of his wife aud
ChilatGn.
The court annouu"rd on Monday NJ e.
noon the trial list Of &upor!or Court caarS
for the November term would be gone
over 50 that 1t may DC a5GeEtainCd just
what cases will be marked for trial. The
list Is nn unusually large ono.
Harry tmmOns and Thomas B@ynrn
lirt7ri il the divur5e case Of Mrs DyNuis
VI XAuahNr.ad Dennis, asked for advice TO
further proCcdu,a in the case,
Tho costs had already eyccalel tho
amount allowed by tin court by S?51 and
MI. EHuInHS wanted the amount for costs
BE- extended - $3.50. Mr., lIrisi opposed tho
lDuttpn and decision on the question WAs
Ge!nrred Until November %. Alimpny was
fixed At 500.
Cuumlher alinurnal without DELAY.