The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-12-22
The Law Must Take Its Course

1t ia currently reported thata Pc
titlon is being circulated for sig
natures for Communication Of the
death sentence Of j. L. Timber.
lake, to imprisonment in the peni-
tertiary for life.
Timherlake shot and killed Con-
stable NJ. W. Baillio while attempt
ing TO close up his di>reputable
negro dive under a writ OF provis.
ional seizure for 5000 rent due,
issurd by one of the Magistrates
Of The Alexandria ward. Although
public sentiment was very greatly
inuenseu against him, wiser conn
sells prevailed and the law was
permitted to take its course. At
ter being indicted for murder, his
counsel applied for a change of
VENUE, alleging that public senti-
lnent was so Intensely wrought
mp and intiamed against him, that
he cul,id not obtain a fair and inn
partial trial in the parish Of Rap.
i,ies. After the summons of Wit
uesses to the humber OF fifty or II {.
IS, from every ward in the parish,
a majority IF whOm were represent
tative ciiizens, his counsel pro-
reeded to the trial of the applica-
tiOn on the day fixed. After
the examination Of Il Number Of
his witnesses, he found that he
oonld not sustain the application
and abandoned it in the initial
stage of the trial. On the day
hxed for trial, the prisoner was at
raisned, plead not guilty and was
put upon trial before a jury. lie
was defended by Col. L. Z. Hunt
er, one of the ableSt criminal law.
yers practicing at the Alexandria
bar. lie WAS tried by the best
jury that could be secured in the
parish from special yenire of 90,
summoned from all portions of the
parish, some of whom had not
heard of the case and had not
formed or expressed opinions. He
had fair aud impartial trial. The
chal &c of the Judge was in accord.
auce with his exposition of the
law and the evidence and was
equally fair and impartial. lie
WAS convicted of murder--a right
eous ver,ilct-and sentenced to be
executed on such day DIS shall bt
fixed by the Governor of the State
Under the circumstances, any
attempt to defeat the ends Of jas
tice by communication of the dcatl
sentence to imprisonment, because
of any sentiment existing in the
public mind, opposed to the IN
Fiction of capital punishment, Ii
not only to be deprecated, but tt
be deplored, AS an Incident tend
ing to bring into dlsrepute ant
opprobrium the ancient and once
sacred right of trial by jury.
The murder Of Bailllo by Tim
berlake, without warning, depriv
ing his young wife and severa
little children Of protector, i
Que Of the most cold DIooded, bru
tai aud atrucious in the history O
criminal annals. There is no
IL mitigating, palliating or re
dermiug feature in his favor. Th
, law must take its course. Th
, sentence of the Court must De ez
eeuted irrespective of any mauc
lin sentimentalism which is sougl
to be aroused in his favor. An
attempt to influence or bring t
, bear any undue pressure upon til
!, pardouing board aud executive IL
Communication of sentence, ought t
> bs summari!y frowned upon an
y discountenanced by the law abb
ind people Of Rapldes parish, e!s
we might as we'll invite repet
ton of such cruel murders an
- serve notice ia advance upon OF
;, conscientious juries, that 1t is us
! less for them to Convict the IT
handed murderer, as he will be a
!, solved from all responsibility by
! higher power, from whose trlbun
there is no appeal.
tNs