Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-07
HAWKINS UNIQUE DEFENSE
The Self Confessed Thief Explains How He
Saved District Funds
He Retained From Stealing More
When He Had an Apportunity-
Court Imposes Sentence.

Thomas Varrick Hawkins, the cOiored
messenger who robbed the safe of Collec-
tor Of Taxes E. G. Davis the 31st of last
August of nearly $1,000. and who fled to
Canada, was sentenced late yesterday at
ternoon In Criminal Court No. to three
years imprisonment in the New Jersey
state prison, at hard labor. the extreme
penalty provided for grand larceny.
As reported in The Star, Hawkins pleaded
guilty yesterday morning, Attorney J. Med.
Darlington, at the prisoners request, being
assigned 10 address the court for him. Mr.
Darlington was engaged in the trial of an
other case during the greater part Of the
day. and at recess he had an interview
with Hawkins in the basement cage.
Mania fur Wandering.
When brought up for sentence, Hawkins
handed Mr.. Darlington statement OF sew
erai pages, which he wished the court to
read. Mr.. Darlington said Hawkins had
informed him that when a mere boy he
suffered an injury to his head, which at
times caused him to become possessed of
an insane desire to wander. 1t was this
desire to wander from his own fireside,
Hawkins explained to his counsel, which
induced him to help himself to the contents
Of Mr.. Davis' safe.
Mr. Darlington also explained that
Hawkins desired the court to know that he
had during his service under the District
government saved 1t not less than $4,000,
the self-confessed thief naively explaining
that he and others might have stolen that
much of District funds, but did not, and III
tl:at way saved it to the District govern
ment.
Hawkins statement was handed up to
Chief Justice Bingham, but the judge did
v1r II xJ,,A
the man had previously refrained from rob-
berry, he had merely acted as he was ex-
pected to do, and as he should have done,
but did not thereby place the District gov
eminent under any obligations to him.
Attorney Shillington Explains.
Assistant District Attorney Shillington,
reviewing Hawkins connection with the
collector of taxes office, explained the
circumstances of the robbery, and called
the courts attention to the fact that
Hawkins has not yet accounted for some
thing like 500 of the stolen money. MIR.
SbillinSton also explained that while lar
ceny from the United States is punishable
by fine of not more than 5000 or i'm
prisonment for not more than ten years, or
both, the maximum penalty for larceny
from the District is hut three years. While
he would not suggest to the court the term
OF Imprisonment, Mr.. Shillington stated
tHat the government believed the imDosi-
ton Of the maximum penalty for grand
larceny would, unfortunately be made
Quate.
Declines TO Talk.
When asked If he had anything 10 say,
Hawkins shook his head, and, covering his
face with handkerchief, leaned forward
upon table while the court imposed SEN
tence.
The chief justice remarked that three
years amounted to very light penalty,
and expressed surprise that no greater
penalty for grand larceny is imposed in
this jurisdiction.
Il observe said the court to Hawkins,
that you are fully conscious OF the enor-
nifty of your offense, and IL you are truly
penitent you will have time in the three
years that you will be confined in prison
TO complete your reformation and guard
against desire to return to a dishonest
life. You will be taken to the penitentiary
at Trenton. N. j.. where you will be con-
fined and kept at hard labor for three
years"
Hawkins yesterday signed statement to
the effect that his wife, who is represented
to be most estimable woman. did not re-
ceive any of the stolen money, declaring
his previous statement that he gave her
some of 1T to be false.