The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-03-12
DEATH SENTENCE.
Mate Bran Will Expiate Muir
of Captain Nash.

June 1s the Date Fixei-Prisoner Shows
Remarkable Self Control and Protests
His Innocence.
Boston, March 10.-First Mate Thomas
M. Bran, who was tried here some time
ago and found guilty of the murder of
Captain Charles l. Nash of Harrington,
Me-, on board the barkentine Herbert
Fuller July 49, 1896, on the high seas,
was sentenced by Judge Colt in the
United States circuit court here yester-
day to be hanged OIL June 49, 1897. The
case was one of the most sensational in
New England for many years and Gre
ated considerable interest throughout
the country. AS early as a. m. large
number Of spectators began to assemble
In the corridors leading to the court, but
shortly after p. m. these We're cleared
by the court officials, and only members
Of the bar and those connected with the
case were allowed in court when the
sentence was pronounced.
The prisoner was brought from Charles
street Jail early III the day. When
placed in the dock he appeared more
nervous and excited than he has previ-
cusIy been when before the court His
face showed how keenly he felt the posi-
ton in which he was placed, and he was
so nervous that he could hardly speak.
Judges Colt and Webb sat on the case,
and as soon as the formal opening of the
court had been declared, District At
torney Hoar arose and addressed them.
He said ii was his duty to ask that SEN
tence be imposed. The prisoner was
called and arose, leaning on the front o.
the dock In answer to Judge Colt as
to whether he had anything to say why
sentence of death should not be passed
upon him he said:
81 thank you, your honor.
Il wish to say | am an innocent man
before God and heaven. 1t is not now
my WILL but Gods will be done That
is all"
judge Colt then reviewed the case
from the time the vessel left Boston.
the murder on the sea, the different pro
cesses of the court, the appointment of
counsel, and the privileges of the pris-
oner in examination of witnesses, and
stated that after a fair and impartial
trial by an intelligent and just jury, Bran
WAS found guilty, and the court saw
no reasons to take exceptions to it.
He concluded as follows:
"And now all matters in your case
having been heard and fully understood
by the court it is considered by the court
that the verdict of the jury in your case
be, and the same is. hereby confirmed
by the court, and that you, Thomas
Rram, otherwise called Thomas M
Bran, otherwise called Thomas M. c.
Bran, be adjudged a pirate, and that
you, the said Thomas Bran, be taken
to the place whence you came and there
kept in close confinement until Friday,
the 18th day of June; that on that day,
between the hours of 10 o'clock in the
forenoon and 2 o'clock in the afternoon
you, the said Thomas Bran, be taken
hence to the place of execution, and that
you be there hanged by the neck until
you are dead. And may God have
mercy on your soul"
Bram's counsel then arose and filed a
writ of error, which will act as stay of
proceedings in the case until the SUI
preme court renders it's decision in the
exceptions.
Bran looked steadfastly at the Judge
during the recital of the sentence, but
at the end he sank on the seat and gave
way to his grief.
He was taken to Charles street 1ail.
where he will remain until he is either
given new trial or until the sentence is
carried out.
The crime for which Bran was sem
fenced was committed on board the
Herbert Fuller July IS, 1896. CAPTAIN
Nash, his wife, and Second Mate Bran
berg of the vessel, were murdered in the
night. Bran was placed in irons by his
shipmates and taken to Halifax. He
was tried in this city, which is the near
est United States port having a court of
Jurisdiction to the port where the vessel
put in.
Bran was tried only on the Indictment
charging him with the murder of Cap
tain Nash.