The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-12-01
THORN CONVICTED. .
The Electric Chair Awaits William
Guldensuppe's Murderer.
He ACKNOWLEDGES HIS GUILT.
after the Verdict Was Rendered and
He Was Removed to His Cell tho
Fiend Declared That Mrs,sp Nack's
Confession Was True.

ShItef the verdict Was Rendered and
He Was Removed to His Cell tho
Fiend Declared That Mrs,mNack's
Confession Was True.
I New York, Dec. 1.-Martin Thorn was
yesterday convicted of murder In the
frst degree in killing William Gulden-
suppe. his predecessor in the affections
OF Mrs Augusta Mack, at Woodside, l..
J.. on June 25. At the request of Thorn's
counsel the passage of the death SEN
tence was deferred until next Friday
morning. Thorn heard the jurymen
polled on their verdict, and listened to
each of them sealing his fate with a
nervously uttered yes" Thorn gazed
at each one Of them and appeared to
be less impressed with the soemnity
Of the occasion than any one in the jury
box. His face never changed color dur
ing the trying ordeal, but with lips
firmly compressed and jaws hard set
he faced the judge, jury and court room
full of spectators with well feigned
stoicism.
About three weeks ago Thorn's first
trial on the charge Of murder was be-
gun IN the Queens county court at
Long Island City, but owing to the ill
ness of juror 1t had to be abandoned
after three days. A second trial OPEN
ed week ago last Monday, and count
ing out three days on which the court
did not sit the trial consumed only six
days.
MIS-. Nack's testimony during the
mistrial made 1t compulsory for Thorn's
lawyers to change their line Of defense
in the second trial, and they immedl-
ately adopted the only plausible defense
that could be conceived under such try
ing circumstances. They made di-
rect charge against Mrs. Mack, and in
sisted that her alleged confession was a
lie, and that she herself was the insti-
gator and perpetrator of the murder,
Thorn being ignorant of the killing un-
til after Guldensuppe had been shot
by Mrs. Mack. The woman was not
produced during the second trial. but
Thorn went on the stand and substan-
tiated all the assertions made by his
lawyers as to the midwife's guilt. His
story, If anything. was more dramat-
ically told than that Of Mrs. Mack. but,
as the verdict shows, it did not have
the desired effect upon the jurymen.
When court opened yesterday Law
yer Howe began summing up in be-
half of Thorn. He made an earnest,
thoughtful and impressive appeal to
the jury for his client, and 1t was
thought by many who had the privi-
lege of hearing him that his efforts
would leave very great impression
on the Jurors. Mr.. Youngs followed,
and held the attention of the jurors
throughout his speech. which lasted
almost an hour. Judge Maddox's charge
was carefully prepared and well deliv-
cred. 1t was acknowledged by the law
ysrs for the prisoner to be extremely
lucid, fair and impartial.
The jury remained in deliberation
Just three hours. when they sent word
to the judge that they were ready to
render verdict. The fact Of their re-
naming out SO long gave hope to the
defense, but as each one of them took
his seat In the jury box his facial ex-
preston told very distinctly the result
of the three hours conference. Guilty
of the charge preferred" were the om-
inous words which fell from the lips Of
the foreman of the jury and although
this verdict was not an unexpected
one it hit the defendants counsel very
hard, as they had built up the hope for
a disagreement or verdict in the
minor degree. Thorn's lawyers moved
for new trial on the ground that the
verdict was not In accordance with the
weight Of evidence but the motion was
overruled.
When Thorn had been led back to his
cell after the conviction he admitted
that the verdict was just, and that he.
and not Mrs. Mack, killed Guldensuppe.
This acknowledgment of guilt took
place while Thorn's cell in the Jail was
being prepared for him. During the
trial Thorn has been under charge of
Police Captain Methven. of Flushing.
Captain Methven had him under his
watchful eye when the Jail officials
searched the cell Thorn is to occupy
for day or two. While this was being
done Thorn talked with the police cap
tain. He said:
II am glad 1t is over and the verdict
given. I am convicted, and am con-
tented. 1t was l who killed Gulden-
suppe, and cut up his body. Every
word that Mrs. Mack said upon the
stand was substantially correct. When
I was on the stand lied when telling |
the story did, but lied to clear my
self 1t 10 no use carrying it any fur
ther. I am guilty and am convicted.
1t is what expected. and what sup
pose people think l deserve. and per-
haps do"
Just what will become of Mrs. Mack
has not been made known by the
Queens county authorities. but 1t Is
thought that the people will
accept plea from her which Will not
call for capital punishment.