New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-09
RUSSELL GETS TEN YEARS
A RECOMMENDATION FOR MERCY DIsRE-
GARDED BY JUDGE HURD.

THE BI.AcKMAII.ER WILL HAVE AN OLD COMMU-
TATION ADDED TO HIS sENTENCE-CoRRE-
spoNDENcE REGARDING THE CASE
Edward ]. Russell convicted one day last week
of blackmailing Incorporation Counsel Amet +.
jerks was sentenced by Judge Hurd. in the County
Court yesterday morning 10 ten years In Sing sing
Before he sentenced Russell caused something
of q sensation by beraing his lawyer David Speiro,
who he declared had betrayed him and furnished
the Dstrct-Attorney information which was used
against him AS a matter OF fact Mr.. Speiro con-
Quoted the defence in an able manner, and might
have secured disagreement if Russell had not In
sisted on conducting the greater part OF his defence
himself
Judge Hurd asked the prisoner If he had not
been convicted of the crime Of Matchmaking in
Cleveland Ohio Russell seemed somewhat shocked
at the inquiry but finally admitted that he had been
sent 10 prison charged with Matchmaking. but as
serted that Governor Mckinley had pardoned him
as soon as he investigated his case.
In sentencing him Judge Hurd said:
81 cannot understand your actions at all. Your
conduct cannot be explained any other theory
than that you thoroughly bad The jury recon-
rnended mercy. Ordinarily such request is given
considerable attention. but investigation leads me to
believe that the jury ignorant Of all the circum
stances OF the shooting Of Phil DAILY, and, In faot
Of your whole fe. In your case the recommendation
% d mo co E hat be-
fned at hard labor Safe Prison for the period Of
District Attorney Backus moved for the dismissal
Of the other @ ana sendns
letter on February to Mr. jerks The motion was
Russell was taken TO Police Headquarters where
preparations were made to photograph him. ~, he
as he had not been allowed his wife. he would
do nothing asked him by the police ne called chief
was martyr. His picture finally taken and
late In the afternoon he was taken TO Sing Sing:
As Russell earned Communication Of three years Of
an eight and one-half years sentence imposed for
shooting Phil DAILY; the ,urfman IN Nsw-York in
sentence. From the beginning there was not e e
gratulat lions of a large number OF people on his
IN ia M Ih la ana ms
trapping OF the blackmaiier.
In connection with the Russell a request
has been made for the publication of the following
correspondence:
Brooklyn. March T. 1897
Ny Dear Sir: have read your card published In
the press. and regret with you that, under the
proper ruling OF the Court In the Russell trial. your
client not permitted to deny under oath 80
much Of the allegations Of the blackmailing article
as reflected upon her
partner been allowed TO deny If denial were needed,
the Infamous falsehoods and insinuations OF that
article against him, But your letter may serve
to- create a false impression OF cooperation. Of
part OF your client and mine. with my much fuller
acquaintance Of the facts, as and when they &C.
jerks has at no time undertaken. nor for him. to
deny the existence and the fOiling ten years ago.
of q conspiracy against him. AS for cooperation.
the first revelation of the blackmailers attempt
came from your client when she came 10 Mr.. jerks
10 learn the truth falsity OF Russers statement
that Mr.. jerks himself had made an affidavit
against her That statement was. OF course alb
soIutely false. Russell then door /
told your client would thenceforth deal with him;
The negotiations. the arrest. Indictment and trial
OF Russell were all subsequent to this, and were
without other aid than the law afforded. Yours
very truly EDWARD NJ CIRCUIT
March Z. 1891
Ny Dear Sir: have yours Of this date, answer
Ing my card In the press. Referring the portion
Of my letter on which you comment. find on fuller
examination that was mistaken in asserting that
you and Mr. jerks denied the backmailer's article
n every respect. Yours very truly
4 n. WELLER