The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-28
ROSENBERG is GUILTY
HE WILL SERVE SIX MONTHS IN JAIL
FOR BIGAMY.
a 800 Fine That May Detain the The
atricai Man There Nearly
Two Years.

Alter uelDefdJnB IOr IlVe hours the STlIH-
inal Court jury which tried the Max Rosen-
berg bigamy case found the prisoner guilty
and fixed his punishment at six months in
the county Jail, with fine of $780, The
theatrical manager has money with
which to pay his fine, and unless his friends
come to his assistance the sentence means
u period of confinement of almost two years.
The case, which was full of interesting
details, came to Il close at $3.50 o'clock yes
terday afternoon when it went to the jury.
There was a picturesque crowd Of listeners
in the courtroom in the morning when Ros-
enberg went on the stand to continue his
testimony, which was mainly cross-exami-
nation. He chung to his original story and
steadfastly asserted that his marriage to
Miss Jessie Crawford in this city on March
], 1897, was in good faith. He was positive
of the alleged meeting between wife No /
and himself in the Great Northern Hotel in
Chicago when the woman told him SHE had
been to Dakota and had secured divorce
from him. Rosenberg asserted vehemently
that this meeting took place in February
four or ave weeks before the marriage here.
Blanche Louise Mitchell, the first wife and
the prosecuting witness, denied having met
Rosenberg in February, and declared the
divorce story was untrue. 1t was the word
of the woman against the man, and it was
left for the jury to decide. Rosenberg while
on the witness stand related how he had
informed his second wife OF their predica-
ment when he finally learned there had
| been no legal separation between him and
the first wife, He testified that he paid Miss
MitchelPs attorneys to get divorce for her
last August. This the young woman denied
during her evidence in rebuttal, and de-
clared she had paid SIT out of her own
funds to get the divorce.
While on the witness stand yesterday
morning Rosenberg was guilty of bit of
dramatic work that stirred the sentiment
of the audience. 1t was in the nature of an
alleged sacrifice 'for woman's sake" His
attorneys requested him to tell the jury
why he had left his first wife Rosenberg
shook his head and held a whispered con-
versation with his lawyers. They urged
him to speak, but he declined to go on.
Judge McCray spoke to the prisoner, tell
ing him he could speak if he wished.
Rosenberg turned to his lawyers.
Il am sorry gentlemen, but | cannot tell
this unless am compelled to. 1t would not
be the manly thing for me to do" Rosen-
berg then addressed the court.
Pardon me- he said to the judge, 'but
really cannot talk of this If my refusal
to do SO adds to my punishment then
must suffer for it.
Deputy Prosecutor Afford made the first
speech for the State. W. w. Thornton
closed the case. Attorney w. w. Herod
spoke alone for the prisoner. He declared
this prosecution was merely mask for the
Wreaking of vengeance by a spiteful woman.
Mr. Herod referred to Miss Mitchell, the
prosecuting witness, as a fire dancer" and
laid emphasis on the assertion that the
woman had employed w. w. Thornton to
assist in the prosecution. Miss Mitchell re-
manned in the courtroom until the close of
the argument. Immediately after Mr. Thorn
ton had concluded, she gathered up her
wraps and passed out of the chamber. She
shot one swift glance at Rosenberg as she
left, but the prisoner took no notice of the
departure of his eX-wife. The jury retired
at $3.50 O'Clock, after receiving instructions
from Judge McCray. Rosenberg was not
taken Immediately back to jail, but SAT talk
ing with his lawyers for few minutes.
he does not blame the woman who appeared
against him as much as he does the man
who, he says, is at the bottom of the bust
There's man in Chicago who will get
the worst licking he ever had in his life, y
remarked the prisoner. His name is
Frankenstein and he's engaged in the cal
cium light business. | had trouble with him
once, and he is a friend of this Mitchell
woman. 1t is Frlnkenstein who has put her
ro 10 TINS m B% nn wait tn get out OF this
fellow a drubbing"
why didn't Miss Crawford come here
and testify against me?" observed Rosen-
berg, with rising irritation. 'All this story
about her being too poor to come here is
Iot. ohS uiui WANT TO come. Sne nad no
cause to come. She's a sweet, good woman
who never did dishonest act in her life,
and she never will"
At o'clock last night a messenger was
sent to the jail to notify the sheriff that a
verdict had been reached 1T will break
his heart if he's convicted" remarked the
night turnkey. Rosenberg was brought over
to the Criminal Court by Jim" a big coll
ored man employed in the jail. The pris-
oner was pretty nervous, but hopeful
You're going to be game, of course" re-
marked a reporter as the Jury filed into the
box. We'll, I'll not cry,'' replied Rosen-
berg. He declined to discuss the sentence
and went back to jail without a word of
comment. Attorney w. p. Herod said to
Judge McCray last night that they would
probably take further steps in Rosenberg
case to-day.
Miss Mitchell. the prosecuting witness, re-
turned to Chicago last evening.