The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-08-11
DEATH SENTENCE IMPOSED.
The Court Denies the Application Of.
the Rcdiy Boys fer New Trial.
A TRYING SCENE.

Sentence of death WAS imposed upon
James and John Roddy at 5 o'clock
Wednesday afternoon. 10y the C0srt-
Only a few persons were in the eour IT
room at the time. bat the scene was new
ertheless an impressive one.
Counsel for the defendants had briefly
argued in favor Of third trial, laying
particular stress upon the testimony of
Nicholas Slick, who supplied the link in
the chain of evidence against the prison.
ers, which on the first trial had been
forged by Robert Herdman, who was zf-
terwards discovered to have borne false
witness, and in view of which a new tri-
al WAS granted, and upon the deposition
of one William Crummy. brother of
Mrs Fred Naugle, who fatty contra
dicted the testimony of the witnesses for
the defense in regard TO the destruction
of an alleged counterfeit $40 bill in the
yard of the Nsugles on the afternoon fol-
lowing the Berkey murder. IL was ar
gued that the testimony of the witness
Slick was most singular under all the cir
cumsiances, and that it WAS therefore en-
titled TO little weight. As to the deposi-
tiOn of the witness Crummy il WAS urged
that Mr.. and Mrs. Naugle had testified
that he was present at the destruction Of
the alleged counterfeit note, whereas he
stoutly denie that he was there. Ohjec-
iions were also found TO the charge of
the Court, a number of assignments OF
error being urged.
Counsel for the Commonwealth treated
lightly the argument in behalf of new
trial, insisting that the defendants had
been twice fairly tried and convicted.
After a short consultation the Court de-
upon District Attorney ColbOrn moved
that sentence be imposed.
Throughout the argument the defend
ants sat listlessly at their counsels' table,
apparently uninterested in the proceed
ings. When the Court directed James
Roddy to stand mp, the eldest of the
brothers sprsng quickly 10 his feet and
faced the bench, and in response to the
usasi question propounded by the Court,
Have you anything TO say why sentence
should not be imposed." promptly an
swered "Yes, sir; | WAS never in Paint
township in my life, and am innocent of
this crime"
lis that all you wish TO say7' inquired
the Court.
"Yes, sir" replied the prisoner.
Judge Longenecker then imposed the
sentence of the law. concluding with the
words s.Nav God have marcy on vonr
SOUL which the defendant evidently
construed a. voluntary prayer offered
in his behalf by the Court, for. turning 10
the Judge he said, I'm much Obliged"
before dropping into his seat.
John ROddy declared tina: he had new
er known a man by the name of David
Berkey in Paint township or elsewhere
and had no part in hismurder. The de-
fendAnt stood cree; and showed no sign
OF emotion throughout the trying ordeal.
and after the fateful words had bean pro-
nounced be turned 70 several scqnaintan-
ces and greeted them with smile Of
recognition.
Aner the defendants had been conduct
ed back to jail. Jim Roidy remarked 10
one OF the officers, "Well, it seems that
they are bound 70 hang u.s.
Counsel for the defendants will take an
appeal to the Supreme Court. and even
though they he unsuccessful in securing
a reversal of the court below. it is not
probable that the sentence of the law
will lie carried into effect before next
spring.