The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-06-02
HE WENT ON THE STAND
And Tried to Swear Himself Into Free
burg and Out Again.
A QUARTER OF AN HOUR
Was All the Time Needed by the Jury to
Decide That He Was Guilty as He
Was Charged In the IndIct-
ment The Assignment
of Cases.

After contest in which the defend
ant played prominent part, the jury
in the case of Ohio VS. Charles Murray,
charged with the burglary of the resi-
dence Of Jacob S. Harpster, of Free
burg, returned verdict of guilty, after
being out but quarter OF an hour.
Thursday morning at the opening Of
court he was sentenced to the peniten-
tiary for two years.
During the progress of the case Muir
ray exhibited knowledge of the law
that left the impr ession that he had had
many experiences in court. Despite
the efforts Of his attorney, ]. A. Juf-
fers, to keep him off the stand, Murray
became witness in his own behalf,
and he probably received an extra six
months for his efforts to go free. He
exhibited an intelligence which wrong
fully applied meant danger to those
against whom he turned his attentions.
He spared with Prosecutor Pomerene
and replied to the questions with the
readiness OF an expert. His knowledge Of
criminal law, he said, was gained when
he was constable. He talked him
self in and out of Freeburg without
getting close to the Harpster house
and at times wriggled out of holes the
prosecutor had dug for him with an
ease that astonished the occupants of
the court room. His wriggling evil
IDENTIFY did not do much good Muir
rays mistake was allowing himself to
fall into the prosecutors clutches and
he was made to realize that fact when
standing before Judge McCarty for
sentence Thursday morning.
Murray was asked If he had anything
to say why sentence should not be
passed upon him. He said he was
not guilty of the crime charged.
"The state did not put up strong
case" said the prisoner, "and the evil
dence particularly the last of it amount
ed to little. The jury, OF course, has
found me guilty and I suppose must
be sentenced"
Judge McCarty said that the jury was
convinced OF Murrays guilt and that
the court also was OF that opinion. He
said that had the prisoner pleaded gull
ty the sentence would have been differ
ent Not that he had not the right to
trial or to 60 on the stand in his own
behalf, but the court could not help
but take into consideration the actions
and conduct of defendant. He dis
liked to sentence man of his years
Murray is 49-but he was compelled to
do so. The value of the stolen goods
amounted to but 81. .90-a small sum for
which to send man to the peniten-
tiary-but the law and his duty was
plain. Murray was thereupon
sentenced for the time stated. He will
be taken to the penitentiary within
week by Sheriff Zaiser.
JUDGE M'cARTY GOES TO CARROLL
Judge McCarty will sit on the bench
in Carroll county Monday and Tuesday
of next week in consequence of which
court room No. will be closed on
those days with the exception of Mon
day morning when the motion docket
will be disposed of.
Judge Taylor after three weeks alb
sence from the Stark county bench
will resume his judicial duties in court
room No. 2. A jury for that room hav-
ing been called for duty June 7.
Following is the assignment of cases
for
COURT ROOM NO |.
Monday-Hearing motion docket.
Wednesday-Ferguson VS. Bean; Baer
vs. Graf; Mitchell VS. McConahy.
Thursday-Gold Ball Mining Co., vs.
Leonart ct al; Beeson VS. The Penna.
Co.; Robertson VS. Fawcett; Grant vs.
Grants Admir-.
Friday-City of Massillon va @. M.
ST. Ry. Co.; Kerstetter's Admir- VS.
Umbenhour, ct al; Burris vs. Charlton.
COURT ROOM NO. 2.
Monday-Hearing motion docket.