The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-03-29
IS SPOKEN
Against John Collins, Who Is
Ordered to the Pen.
HIS STATEMENT IN COURT
ProcIaiming Innocence, and
Hope of Final Vindication.

TO death by Judge HaZen, OF the SHAWNEE
district court. Before sentence was pro-
nounced, Collins made an emotional speech
declaring his innocence and expressing
the belief that, before long the mystery
would be cleared up and he would be vim
dicated. When asked if he had anything
to say before sentence was pronounced.
he said:
''May it please the court, I understood
that this sentence was not to be pro-
nounced until this afternoon, and for that
reason I am not as well prepared as
might have been on what 1 have TO say
upon this subject. L have, however, few
things to say in my own behalf, and l nave
committed them to paper, so that there
may be no controversy hereafter as to
what said at this time. am aware that
nothing 1 can say will prevent sentence
being passed upon me. but desire to say
some things in my own behalf at this
time
ST do not come here as criminal, but
come here as an innocent man, protesting
against the commission of great in
Justice / feel although my situation Is
very unpleasant, that 1 have some things
to be thankful for. have hosts of friends
among the respectable people Of this COM
munity, and 1 feel that 1 ought to be
thankful for them 1 also feel thankful
that I am not as some other men are;
for I had rather have my past and my
present and my future than that of some
of my accusers.
CT submit, in the first place, that 1 am
the victim of a series of circumstances, or
strange condolences, somewhat remark
able. perhaps, but not unusual. The his
tory of circumstantial evidence will show
many stranger cases than this of innocent
men being punished for crimes they never
committed.
''In the second place, I am also the VIC
tim of a morbid public sentiment. Your
honor knows as well as 1 do the stand
that has been taken against me by the
newspapers Of this community. News
papers are mighty molders of public senti-
ment, and juries and sometimes courts are
Influenced by them. I need not discuss the
sentence you are about to pronounce.
''In the next place, lam at this time
as firmly as ever of the opinion that 1
should have had a new trial; that 1 did
not have fair trial in this case. 1 be-
lieve now, as I have always believed, that
the evidence in this case does not justify
the verdict which was returned against
me.
I'm the third place, know that I am not
guilty O fthe offense charged against me.
'I have very little to say about the first
two of these propositions But l submit
that no man should be convicted of any
crime or any alleged crime upon circum-
stantial evidence and nothing but circum-
stantial evidence, when the principal wit
nesses against him are notorious breakers
of the law, and when the evidence against
him has been prepared by a man who is
known to be an unmitigated liar and I'M
worthy Of belief. But as omy being in
nocent, know that am innocent; know
that did not kill my father. I never con-
spired with Johnson Jordon or any other
person to have him killed 1 had no reason
to desire his death, and I did not desire
his death. wish, if it were possible, that
he might come back here today from be-
yond the grave. and be before you, so that
you might learn from him that I am not
.suJUl6UB IreAB pInoM II II 'pIuon I 'HlTns
call upon Almighty God TO read my heart
today and show you that am an inno-
cent man.
But standing here as do have 20 fear
concerning my past, my present or my
future. We have not given up the fight by
a long sight. I do not feel that I shall be
in the penitentary very long. I feel that
there will come a day when all the mys-
11e al axr~uN
when it will be known who killed James 5.
Collins, and that I had no hand in that
crime; when the guilty man will be brought
10 Justice; when the constancy of my
mother and sister and friends will be re-
warded, and when your honor shall feel
that when you passed sentence upon John
Collins you did a great injustice; for, as
am to be judged by Almighty God, swear
that am an innocent man.
Judge Hazen then said: 'At the present
time the court has but one duty TO per-
form, and that is TO impose sentence. The
law prsscribes what that sentence shall be.
During the trial Of this case tht court
gave you the benefit OF every doubt upon
all question Of law. Questions of fact
were questions for the jury, and they
passed upon those questions and resolved
the evidence against you. In my opinion,
there was sufficient evidence 10 justify
the verdict that was returned b the jury.
Tina sentence Of the court IS that you
suffer death as a penalty for the offense of
which YOU have been convicted; that you
be hanged by the neck until dead. and the
sheriff IS directed to convey you 70 the
state penitentIary. there 70 De safely kept
until such time as the governor shah issue
his warrant fixing the tint for your exc
cution-"
Mr.. Hayden-Of COURSE the court IN
derztood that we except to the overruiins
to the judgment
The Courr-Csrtairiy-
The little courtroom was crowded almost
20 sufocation with people anxious 70 see
the close Of the last chapter Of the Col
in scase so far aS the district court IS con-
cerned. Al 9.so the court called the case
~ the s.atr against John Collins. NJ
HAYDEN, Representing Coins, arose aud /
said:
~ the court please. ! understood from s
vaur honor on Friday that thAs Ess 70 b /
taken ID this afternoon. and I would pre- (
Ter % nave x thAs afternoon. as re have /
a hill q exceptions - settle, ard desire /
- +ark with the defendant, and ai=o Win /
wr Valentine. tbs morning. before Se 20 /
ahead With this
IRE cosrs-I-he parties are as here aza /
30 not think thai tie rigass q the Dr. /
se-saut couId Ne 5eopa11ze4 anE ! INK .
- nav az wei cIose Z up nez-
NJ Hsvsan.-I ssslze 70 have feE /
s,-.s-~-srvr vsZ The defendant &