The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-04-11
TRUSS SENTENCED.
He Hears His Doom UnmOved.

1t being generally understood. that upon
the assembling Ct court on Saturday morn
ing, James Henry Truss, convicted of the
murder of Captain Thomas Camp would
receive his death sentence. the court room
was filed with curious and interested
crowd of persons from nearly all sections of
the county. largo number OF persons from
Chesapeake City and vicinity being present.
AT ten o'clock, court was called with Judges
Russum Stump and Wickes ON the Bench. A
few minutes after the Judges had taken their
seats. the condemned man was brought into
the court room by Sheriff Mackey and seated
in the dock
Judge Wickes before whom Truss had been
tried, turning to the prisoner said:
James HenIy Truss, you have been con-
victed of the wiful murder of Thomas Camp.
Have you anything to say why sentence Of
death should not be pronounced upon you
according to law"
Truss still remaining in his seat and with
out visible emotion replied: Yes, have
this to say, that you did not give me justice.
What is that? said Judge Wickes.
i'u bih iiot SiN' ilI' J"'bi'N' t'Sttih PiiSu
Truss y Have you anything else to say"
said the Judge.
10 this inquiry, Truss suIlen and morose.
made no reply, when Judge Wickes, with
visible emotion, and evidently more sensible
of the impressiveness of the occasion than
the prisoner, continued:
'No one can fail to feel pity for you in
your extremity but all who heard the testi-
mony and are familiar with the facts of the
case must feel that your fate is deserved.
You have committed terrible crime and
merit the extreme penalty of the law. You
waived your right to trial by jury and
elected to be tried before the Court. l knew
nothing of the case when the trial began
except that man named Camp had been
murdered at Chesapeake City, and that you
had been suspected. | had not read the
reports Of the hearing before the magistrate
and did not know the basis of the States
case. Your counsel did all they could for
your benefit, and listened to elaborate argu-
ments in your behalf. l gave careful and
long consideration to the testimony and argu-
ments to find something in your favor, but
could find nothing. l then had and now
have no doubt of your guilt You were in
need of money and for a man Of your means,
were very much in debt. After Camps mur-
der an amount OF money was found in your
house corresponding very nearly with II sum
which he was shown to have had about him.
You did not show where you were that fate
full evening. You tried to get your sister to
swear that you spent it at her house. You
did not seek to explain the blood stains on
your garments or the marks ON tho sledge
and shovel handle. Your life is forfeited.
All that remains for you now is to seek the
forgiveness of God.
The sentence of the Court is that you be
removed hence to the Jail of Cecil county and
be there confined till the day fixed for your
execution, when you shall be taken to the
place of execution and there be hanged by
the neck until you are dead. And may God,
in His infinite goodness, have mercy on your
soul"
Throughout the entire imposition of the
sentence, Truss preserved the same sef-con-
tanned and rigid manner he has worn
throughout the trial. Apparently he had
perfect self control. Not muscle moved
while he looked intently at Judge Wickes,
his small piercing eyes being fixed, and deter
mined, the only indication of feeling on his
part. being a shade of pallor which passed
over bis face as he made his short and curt
replies to the Court.
After receiving his sentence, Truss WIS
taken from the court room by direction of
the Court, and in the custody of Sheriff
Mackey returned to the county Jail.