New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-17
MOLTNEUX SENTENCED.
PROTESTS HIS INNOCENCE,
DEFENDS HIS WIFE.
DRAMATIC SPEECH N COURT-TAKES
To SING SING AND PLACED N
~ITRDERERS' ROW"

Above and beyond ever-thtnE else de-
nounce and de~piSe the action OF the District
ATTORNEY in attempting to viIify and attack
the character Of the pure and lovely woman
who bears my name II was the acs on
bIackEuard- IL was n damnabIe He
The foregoing were among the most striking
sentences IN a dramatic address delivered By
Roland Durham MoIneux when he was az
rafgned before Recorder Cor yesterday % re-
ceive sentence OF death on MS conviction oc
murder n the first degree II IL the first per
sonaI urterance OF the prisoner since his arrest.
more than a year ago He heard his sentences.
which the Court ordered 20 be executed IN the
week beginning March -. with the un1aIrsrins
courage and calm demeanor which have charae-
terized his conduct from the start
The General Sessions chamber never Witnessed
a more dramatic spectacle. nor one sursr 70
provoke strong human sympathy. than yesre--
day morning when 8IolineUx in his Own defence.
with the grace OF an accomplished after dinner
speaker delivered four minute speech which
doubtless made an indeIible impression on al
present
The condemned man was arraisned bec0rs
Recorder Con at 1O.S7 a in the presence of
his counsel sIessrs- Weeks and Battle. his
father and brothers and throug that filed the
courtroom 70 the aiSles. in which chairs were
placed. His brief speech was made about II
o'clock Sentence was pronounced at Hos Re
left the Tombs al 1.05 p n. passed under and
saluted the Dewey Arch. which he had not be
fore seen AZ I 30. reached rhe Grand Central
Station al 10 took me train for Sing sing
starting al 2.O5 reached the peuitentiary at
SO. and was lodged in his cell near eight other
men condemned 10 death at $40
From the time the prisoner rose yesterday
morning al 80 o'clock after sleep of ten
hours till the time when he reached through
the grated door on the lower floor OF the prison
10 shake hands with his white haired soldier
Z
the Sheriff and deputies who accompanied him
from the Tonbs. there was hardly a haIf hour
/ in Moiineux's life yesterday devoid of dramatic
/ interest
! COURTROOM BESIEGED BY A THRONG-
/ Long before the hour OF opening the court. az
/ 1870 o'clock. the doors OF the courtroom were
/ besieged by hundreds who wanted 70 witness
/ the imposition OF the sentence OF death On
/ MoIineux- Extra policemen were detailed 70
/ hold the throngs back from the doors Re-
/ corder Cor in his official black robes entered
/ the chamber al 1871. and almost
( court officer was sent 70 bring in Molineux-
/ Necks were craned u get a glimpse g chS
/ prisoner as he entered the door ar the rear of
! the chamber.
! With quick. buoyant stride he soon reached
( the bar. where, with Mr Weeks his rfghk
and Mr. Battle his left. ne waited for the
/ sentence District Attorney Gardiner moved
Z
\ he had any legal cause 70 show why Judgment
| should not be passed Mr. Weeks said.
/ The defendant Roland 3. 8IOIIneux. respectfully
/ moves for a new trial herein upon the following
/ FirsJ-That the verdict is contrary &c law and
I clearly against evidence
/ Second-The verdict is contrary 70 the evidences.
\ and against the weight OF evidence
/ Third-Upon the refusal OF me Court 70 charge
The several requests submitted 10 the court BY the
fully appears 5y the record hersi5 --'>' 4S HlOls
=
4-L5ao-1t 455aot 10 - Jae oFerTullng b Jne Court Of de-
I2dt4l oolectlolls 20 the admission 1f evidences
/ Fi-E-Upon each Of the exceptions taken BY the
rss-n0nv o4Te-ed bv The u 5fs,7 - 2- IN sNciuaing
/ Sixrh-JPOn each and every one o. the excsp-
/ tons taken 1y- the defendant 20 the ruling o. the
certain portions Of the opening address or ne Dis
Court 70 direct The District Attorney 70 dfscoutnue
,55Z a B2 ,Sa saes esgsg aa sy p one q ne ssosg
/ EoLr- n 4e-n-stIas or rsIecrl1s testimony the
Psr[-cl2ate6 r. ne verdict or in allowing dsal-
Eishtl-l'pon p each and every exception taken 20
or Sesl--o--s or IN deciding any question % law
pr IN ea.,re-Ig, Or InstTlc-nE rhe jury GPon TIE
taken ~ rhe +eser.fsnr 5,Tr+-g - 5 -
I jurors heTein and during the course OF the trial
THE MOTION DENIED
/ The motion was denied. an exception vas
taken and Nr- Weeks moved thar no Judgment
/ be rendered, on the ground that the facts stated
/ Go NOT constitute crime Again the motion
was denied, again the exception. and then NJ.
/ Weeks said.
The defendant. Your Honor. desires TO speak
/ in his own behalf"
I 8IoIineux. in a resonant voice. without
i tremor. began.
I "OS the crime for which r.
/ Just wait a minute" said Recorder Cor.
I leaning forward slightly and looking earnestly
ar the prisoner. is this by advice os counseIrs
'By the request OF th= defendant and without
regard 10 the advice Of counsel said M
I Weeks.
I Recorder Cor hssl1ated an instant. and then
said
months, defended by able counsel II IS an Unusual
\ thing for defendant who has been 50 very well
I and ably defended hy counsel 70 address the Court
1T is the DEFENDANTS desire. and We have
nothing 10 say 20 him except that We believe Il
+ is his right" said NIr. Weeks
The nervous tension was az rhe swapping
/ point The tones y the Recorder and the law
/ yer alternately cut the stiffness. and there was
an involuntary leaning forward By those in the
rear 20 catch everything that was said
+ His counsel" said Recorder Cor slowly. has
said FOR him all that the law permits 20 be said
in reply 20 the question. What has ne % say
why judgment OF death should not De pro-
nounced against him.
HIS DESIRE TO SPEAK
Il have advised him that way" said Mr
+ Weeks but il is his desire Your Honor
That Is another matter returned the Judge.
II il is a desire expressed by the man AZ the
bar under these circumstances and presented
70 the Courts discretion that is one thing bur