Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-07-21
Brown Convicted of Murder.

The trial of the negro, John Alfred Brown,
for the murder of Louis Rosenstein, near
Slidell, this county in May last, was closed
at Frederick City on Friday last by YER
dict OF conviction.
On Thursday, after the close of the evil
dence the case was argued by States Attor.
ney Kilgour and Edward G. Peter, of this
county, for the State, and on Friday Messrs
Pearre, Mayo and Etchison, for the defense,
made their arguments. Mr.. Pearre told the
jury that he came to defend the prisoner be
cause Brown worked upon his fathers farm
when he was boy and often rocked him
when he was a child. He made a strong
plea for the prisoner.
States Attorney Kinks, of Frederick coun-
ty, closed Tor the State. AT 3:05 o'clock Mr.
Kinks concluded and the case was given to
the jury with the usual brief instructions as
to the forms of verdict. When they retired
the court turned its attention to assembling
the grand jury in another case. When
message came, few minutes after the grand
jury had retired, that the jury in Browns
case had agreed upon verdict and the
court room quickly refllled, Brown being
hurriedly brought in and seated again in
the dock. At 3:25 o'clock, just 10 minutes
after it had retired, the jury was again seated
in court and Foreman Sanner, in response
to the clerks query, stood up aud answered
"Guilty of murder in the first degree"
Chief Judge McSherry proceeded imme-
diately to sentence the prisoner. John AL
fred Brown" he said, you have heard the
verdict of the jury. Have you anything to
say why sentence should not now be passed
upon yon?" Brown shook his head, and
Judge McSherry, alter waiting a minute for
MIR. Pearre, who did not appear, proceeded.
John Alfred Brown, you have been con.
victed OF murder. What said to Arms tead
Taylor upon his conviction last week applies
also TO you. You are standing upon the
brink OF the vast abyss OF eternity. A gap
ing grave is at your feet and grim gallo
over your head. There is but short space
of time between that grave and that gollows.
Devote that time to preparing yourself for
a further trial. Do not expect Executive
clemency or Executive interference. Your
doom is sealed and rightly sealed. Hearken
now to your sentence. 1t is the order of
the court that you be taken hence to the Jail
from which you came. That from there you
be taken to the Jail Of Montgomery county
and there kept until day to be set by the
Governor, when you shall be taken to the
place of execution in Montgomery county
and there hanged by the neck until you are
dead, and may God have mercy upon your
soul"
Immediately Brown, who appeared to be
very nervous while Judge McSherry was
speaking was handcuffed and led out of
sheriff and several deputies.
Brown, who is much depressed by his
conviction, sticks to it that he is innocent
and efforts to get him TO confess and tell
where he hid his share of the booty were in
vain. Taylor was greatly pleased BY the
news OF Browns conviction.
1t is said that the Governors object in de-
ferring the execution of Taylor until August
10 is that he anticipated the conviction of
Brown and desired to fix both executions
on the same day
The speedy apprehension and conviction
of Taylor and Brown is a subject of con
graduation to our people. States Attorney
Klgour has been the recipient of flattering
communications from citizens of Frederick
and this county on the able manner in
which the prosecution was conducted. 1t
is thought that the prompt administration
of justice in these cases will have a salutary
effect in future upon the lawless classes.