The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-11-27
ONE YEAR FOR MASTER
Judge Hudspeth Sends an Un-
mitigated Seoundrel to State
Prison for Ten Years.

When Albert Brennan of the Town of
Union, was called up in the General Ses-
sions Court yesterday afternoon for SEN
tence for assaulting Josephine Bergdoldt,
seven year old child who lives with her
parents at No. l01 New York avenue, his
counsel, James NJ Dougherty, asked for
rule to show cause why new trial
should not be granted Judge Hudspeth
denied the application, saying that the
verdict was in accordance with the evil
dence, and the Court could see no reason
why new trial should be granted.
"You are an unmitigated scoundrel."
said Judge Hudspeth, addressing Brennan.
There is not mitigating circumstance
in your case. You are one of those con-
temptible scoundrels who assault little
children and depend upon the incompetent
cy of your vistims to testify for your es-
cape from punishment. The sentence in
your case is that you be confined in the
State Prison at hard labor for period of
ten years, and thence until the costs are
paid Brennan said that he had a wife
living in Philadelphia, but that he had
been separated from her for ten years.
James Masterli, the italian who was
convicted of manslaughter for the killing
to one year in the Penitentiary and to
pay fine of $3.50 and costs. MasterH and
his father, who were employed as watch
men at the Jersey City Chemical Works.
We're arresting Patrick Gafney for steal
ing piece of iron. AS they were taking
him down Grand street a crowd gathered
and urged the prisoner to break away
Stones were thrown and the crowd be-
came so demonstrative that young Mas
terli, fearing violence, fired his revolver
The bullet struck Fitzsimmons, who was
merely looking on and taking no part in
the demonstration.
The Court has given your case careful
consideration" said Judge Hudspeth- Il
am convinced that when you fired the
pistol you had no intention of shooting
any one. 1t is unfortunate for you and
for the man who was killed You thought
you had a right to shoot, but you did
not, and you must surfer the penalsy -
Sentence was suspended in the case OF
John O'Brien, who was convicted of as
sault and battery on his wife, but Judge
Hudspeth warned him that the next time
he comes before the Court on a similar
charge he will get two years.
Joseph McGuinness and Michael Flaber
were sent to State Prison for year
and a half for stealing a horse and wag-
on. McGuinnesS said that he was drunk
you know, Judge, I'm foolish that way
when I'm drunk. A butcher in Newark
got hold of me and I sold him the
horse for $9.',
you've been here before?' said Judge
Hudspeth, inquiringly.
Yes, SIR" replied McGuinness
What for?n queried the Judge.
For stealing another old horse"
"What did you do with the other old
horse?''
Sold him.
Flaher said that he had been sentenced
before for stealing rings from his sister
Frank Smith, John Mcclure and John
H. Fisher, who were sentenced last week
to year and half in the Penitentiary
for atrocious assault and battery on Con-
stable Henry's brother, were brought
back and six months taken off the SEN
tence. Judge Hudspeth said that a num-
ber of eminently respectable people had
interceded with him in behalf of the de-
PENDANTS.
Sentence was suspended in the case of
Noble Armstrong of Hoboken, who was
convicted of petty larceny, and the Free
holders were directed to pay the costs.
Judge Hudspeth said he had received a
letter from the Rev. DR.. Houghton giving
Armstrong an excellent character, and
saying that the boy was formerly a mem
Der Of his Sunday school and sang in the
choir.