The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-26
THE CONDEMNED HOPEFUL
Vale and Ashton. Convicted of MUIR
der, Profess Religion.
Sunday Services at the District Jail
The Slayer of Alexander jackson
Funk Still Cheerful in the Belief
That His Case VIII BE Reheard.

Arthur Landon and Nelson Vale, both
colored, convicted of murder last week,
and by the verdict of the juries virtually
sentenced to be hanged, spent Sunday
quietly. They attended the religious SER
vice at the District Jail, which was con-
Quoted by the Rev. Mr.. Robbins. George
Ashton, who was convicted of the murder
of Ida Jackson, and In whose case the jury
recommended that the penalty for the
crime be Imprisonment in the penitentiary
for life instead of death on the scaffold,
also participated in the service, and at the
close he and Vale announced their belief
in the power of Christ to save sinners, no
matter how black were their deeds
Vale stated after the service that he felt
very well, considering the circumstances
and said that he was very greatly surprised
in the verdict which the jury had rendered
against him. He expressed hope that ne
will be granted new trial, which his
counsel will ask for. and then, he stated,
Re is confident that the result will be Diff
ferent.
Ashton and Vale are the only prisoners
in Jail convicted of murder, awaiting sem
tence The other two confined in the
Jail awaiting execution for murder are
Benjamin Smell and Frank W. Funk,
both of whom are condemned TO be
hanged on May II next. Funk was out in
the corridor yesterday for exercise, and
seemed as lively and clipper as ever. The
spirit which he showed when arrested has
not forsaken him. With as great earnest
ness as ever he declares his innocence Of
the crime of which he stands convicted,
and is still hopeful that ne will be granted
a new trial. He said he was convicted on
his own testimony, which was the truth
and nothing but the truth. There was no
necessity for him TO say that he was at
the Brooks home at the very moment the
murder was committed, except that It was
the truth. As it turned out, he contends,
no one saw him there and it would never
have been known that he was there If he
had not admitted il.
The time for the hearing on the motion
for new trial in FunNs case will be set
in the Court of Appeals during the early
part Of April and a decision rendered as
quickly as is compatible with the circum-
stances. In the event the Judgment of the
upper court is in affirmation of the Supreme
Court of the District, there is hardly any
doubt that Funb's attorneys will take an
appeal to the Supreme Court of the United
STATES. III the event lHal Il uecislOu Is MOI
reached in that court before the day set for
execution an appeal will be made to the
President &c respite the prisoner.
1t is believed that William Stump. who is
under Indictment for the murder OF James
Lee colOred, Will be the next of the pris-
oners in jail charged with capital offence
who viii be called TO trial in the District
court. His trial, however, it was stated
last week, Will not be commenced until
April The defendant is a native of North
Carolina, as was also his victim. Much in
terest is being manifested in the coming
trial. Stump has retained local counsel,
but will also, it is claimed. be represented
by the Representative in Congress from
the district in which he lived before he
came TO Washington.