The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-30
George j. Kerr, Who Did Not Assist
in Druggfng the Girl, Let on
with Fifteen Years.
ADDRESS BY JUDGE DIXON
WHO HOPED THE PUNISHMENT
WOULD BE LESSON TO OTHERS.
Young Men and Women Warned
There Is No Happiness Outside of
Virtue and HOnOr-The Crime.

PATERSON, n. J., Jan. 29-Walter c.
McAlister, William A. Death and Andrew
j. Campbell, who were found guilty of
murder in the first degree for the kill
ing of Jennie Bosscheiter Oct. is. 1900.
by the administration of Choral, and sub
sequent rape, together with George ]. Kerr,
who pleaded non vult contendre to a charge
of rape, were brought into the Court of
Oyer and Terminer to-day for sentence by
Judge Dixon. McAlister, Campbell and
Death were each sentenced to thirty years
fifteen years Imprisonment at hard labor.
The sentences of all the men are the full
terms of imprisonment which the law pro-
vides.
The courtroom was crowded to Its utmost
capacity when Judge Dixon took his
on the bench. The corridors of the court
house were also filled with people. and on
the sidewalk and in front crowds of the
curious were assembled. In the courtroom
were the father. stepmother and sister of
Jennie Bosscheiter, who had been given
seats where they could have a good view
of all that transpired.
clared opened McAlister, Campbell and
Death were brought in by deputy sheriffs
and seated. The proceedings began with
plea by Michael Dunn, one of the attorneys
for the convicted men. for clemency for his
clients. He urged that in the cases of
Death and Campbell the question of their
reformation was worthy of consideration
by the court. Counsel also submitted Pc
tition signed by many citizens asking for
mercy for Campbell. who had been known
for many years to the petitioners indus
trious, temperate and of good character.
Former Judge Scott addressed the court in
McAlisters behalf, urging previous good
character and high family connections.
McAlister Campbell and Death were then
told to stand up. McAlister and Campbell
looked extremely pale, and Death had the
appearance of suffering greatly under the
strain. Judge Dixon, addressing the three
prisoners, said:
''You stand convicted of murder in the
second degree. Had you been found guilty
of murder in the first degree the punish
ment would have been death, but the
leniency of the jury, In the exercise of their
lawful authority, saved you from the gall
lows. We must administer laws as they
are. 1t is true these sentences will destroy
your lives, obliterating every prospect of
an honorable existence among the people.
The court cannot make any distinction, but
must sentence you for this crime. / trust
the fearful consequences from this crime
will help young men and young women of
this community, and point out to them that
they cannot hope to secure happiness out
side of virtue and honor. The sentence of
the court Is that each OF you be imprisoned
In the state prison at Trenton at hard labor
for a term of thirty years"
KERR SENTENCED.
George Kerr was then called to the bar,
and by his attorney entered a plea of non
vult contendre to the charge of assault. In
entering the plea counsel asked the court to
exercise clemency. He spoke of the prison
er's father, said now to be dying as re-
suit. at least. in part, of the trouble into
which the son had fallen: of his sisters.
wife and six children, one of the latter only
two months old. and concluded by saying:
There is no one who can say that the
prisoner has not been honorable in his past
relations and that he has not been peace
able Citizen Judge Dixon at once pro-
ceeded to pass sentence. He said, address,
ing the prisoner:
1.-The evidence in this case does not say
that you helped in administering the drug,
but participated in the ravishment of the
girl In one respect your case Is worse than
the others. You were older and had more
obligations for virtue. You had a wife,
worthy of the highest affections and chill
dren for your concern, but you disregarded
all and permitted yourself to drift away
from a proper domestic life and now you
stand here a wreck of vice and crime and
such a crime, No wonder it shocked the
community and startled every womanly
and manly heart That pitiless ride, that
dastardly outrage, the poor victim laid
4rfxI
she would be found by kind friends or by
beasts. How gladly would / spare your
relatives, but in the exercise of my duty
cannot withhold anything which the SEN
the court is that you be imprisoned in the
State prison at Trenton for term of
fifteen years at hard labor
The four prisoners were promptly re-
moved from the courtroom after shaking
hands with their counsel and a few friends.
The prisoners probably will not be taken
to the State prison at Trenton for a couple
of days.
STATEMENT TO THE PUBLIC.
McAlister. Death, Campbell and Kerr
made a statement to the public this after
noon. II is their first utterance since their
arrest and was issued on the authority of
the counsel for all four men. II follows:
I'VE are resigned to our fate and pro-
pose to face the future with manly hearts
dark as ii is. We have felt heretofore that
IL was useless to say anything TO relieve
our situation, the storm of public IN
dignation was such that anything said by
US would have been mininterpreted
we feel no resentment and have no
criticism 10 make, but we want 10 thank
the newspapers OF Paterson for their sense
OF fairness and absence of malice in deal
ing with this case.
I'VE could sey many things that would
tend to abate the public Indignation. bur
we propose to bear our punishment In ST.
lence.
I'VE propose TO earn the three days a
month which the law remits for good be-
havtor In state prison. and we hope ana