The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-18
MURDERER HITE'S
DEATH SENTENCE.
Solemn and lmpressiveIy Pronounced
by Judge Homes.
PRISONER ST0LlD AND UNMOVtO
After the Sentence was Pronounced
Counsel 4 sked that the Verdict be
Set Aside on Technical Grounds
Argument will be Heard.

BOYDTON. VA, May 17.-Specal.-ln
the county court Of Mecklenburg yester-
day Judge Homes passed the death SEN
tence upon George w. Hite, the murder
er of William Bowers. who was tried last
week here. The scene was solemn and
imprcs sive and was witnessed by a large
crowd. The prisoner was brought into
court between two deputy sheriffs.
lie eyirced the same stoid indifference
as when on trial, not even a tremor or
a nervous twitch appeared in his face.
and during the delivery Of the sentence,
h. stood unmoved and to all appearances
utterly callous as TO his terrible fate. II
is hard to realize how it is possible for
n human being TO nerve himself up 10
such point az 10 show no interest IN
matter which concerns his very life,
but such was the case with this despe-
RADIO.
4 NOVEL MOVE.
After the sentence was pronounced the
case took quite a novel turn. when Mr.
Reekes, OF counsel for the prisoner, ap-
peared In court and made a motion. ask
ing that the verdict OF the jury be set
aside and a new trial granted. upon the
ground that one Of the jurors was under
twenty-one years of age. and was there
fore. ineligible as "A juror.
This motion sprung a surprise upon the
court ana the people, rs no one ever
dreamed that there could be any hitch
after the sentence was passed.
Judge Homes gave notice that he would
hear pnfuf al
Saturday ana ordered the prisoner back
to Jail Tho following is the sentence Of
the court.
THE SENTENCE.
George Hite this is the second time
within sixty days that the judge Of this
court has been called on In The discharge
of the official duties Of the office 10 pro-
nounce the sentence Of death upon a
human being, and you unfortunately are
the second person so TO be sentenced.
Before pronouncing that sentence which
TO me is a most solemn and painful
duty. and which the law demands at my
hands, I take occasion TO say thar the
testimony in this case as we'll as in an
other case against you, several years
ago. in which you were sentenced 10
term OF confinement i'm the pententiary,
disclosed the fact that for years, you in
disregard of the rights of your fellow
man and your obligation to your Maker
whom you will soon have 10 face, have
given license TO your evil temper and
passion and that not even your own
flesh and blood have escaped your cruelty
and almost inhuman conduct
Such seems 10 have been the course
of your life for years and with no at
tempt 10 bride or restrain yourself but
with the conduct OF "A monster i'm human
FORM you have visited your malice upon
those who may have been so unfortunate
as TO incur your displeasure, though for
trivial cause.
You have become a source of terror TO
all good men Of your acquaintance.
A FALSE HOPE.
The hope was INDUCED that the service
OF your former term in the pententiary
would cause YOU TO amend your ways ana
lead a better life thereafter. Far from
its having any such effect YOU came back
to your home no better. If not / fear, a
worse man than before As might be
feared. such a life on your part has led
to its hnal and legitimate elimination,
and that elimination is the gallOws.
The few remaining days YOU may be
permitted TO live your violent arm and
bloody hand will be restrained by the
manacles of the law. While YOU have
outraged your fellOw-man and God. by
the manner in which you have lived.
and actuated by malice. have taken the
life OF a peaceaDle and law-abiding ciu-
zen. may / not even now ask you 10 turn
away from your wicked way and seek
forgiveness at the hands Of an offended
God through the blood of Jesus Christ.
without n you are not only lost as 20
this world but eternally IN the world 20
come / may never behold your face
again. and 1 am unwilling 10 part with
you under these solemn circumstances.
without asking that YOU devote the resi-
due OF your days on earth % the work
OF preparing 10 stand at the bar Of God.
where YOU will be condemned by that
great and infallibe Judge OF all men. UNI
less your faith shall have been cancelled
though faith IN the blood of an atoning
Saviour.
The sentence Of this court is that you
be securely confined IN the county jail
TN the 9Th day Of July. 1898. on which
day between the hours OF o A. VI. and
r. NJ. the sheriff OF this county will
hang YOU by thu neck until you are
dead May tho Lord have mercy upon
and save your soul.