The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-01-30
THE SENTENCE FALLS
Thirty Years For Nc AIister,
Carr pbeII and Death.
Kerr Sentenced For Fifteen " -ars All Are Cor
d,moed TO Hard Labor. Judge D xon's
Scathiny Address.
(By the Associated Press.)

Paterson, n. j., Jan 29.--Walter c.
McAlister. William A. Death and Andrew
]. Campbell, who we're found guilty of
murder in the second degree for the kill
ing Of Jennie Bossahieter, on October Is,
1900. by the administration of Chloral
ana subsequent rape together with
George J. Kerr, who pleaded non vult
cCrtendCre 20 a charge Of rape, were
brought into the Court of Oyer and
Terminer here today for sentence by
Judge Dixon. McAlister. Campbell and
Death were each sentenced to thirty
years Imprisonment at hard labor, ard
Kerr to fifteen years Imprisonment at
hard labor. The sentences Of ali the men
are the full terms of imprisonment which
the law provides, but in the case of
Kerr fine of $1,000 might have been
added.
The courthouse was crowded. In the
courtroom were the father. step-mother
and sister Of Jennie Bosschieter. Coun-
sci for ali the defendants pleaded for
clcmercy. McAlister and Campbell look
ed 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
punishment would have been death. but
the leniency of the jury in the exercise
OF their lawful uathorty saved you from
the gallows. We must administer laws
as they are. 1t is true these sentences
viii 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.
Il trust the fearful consequences from
this crime viii help young men and
young women of this community and
point out 10 them that they cannot hope
to secure happiness outside OF virtue and
honor. The sentence of the court is that
each of you be imprisoned in the State
prison al Trenton at hard labor for q
term Of thirty years.
George !. Kerr was then called TO the
bar. and by his attorney entered a plea
of non yult contedre tc the charge of
assault Counsel asked the court to ex-
ercise clemency. He spoke of the prison
ers father, said now to be dying, and of
his sisters, wife and six children.
Judge Dixon at once passed sentence.
He said:
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 otners. You were slider
and had more obligations for virtue. You
had a wife, worthy of the highest affec-
tions. and children FOR your concern, but
you disregarded all and permitted your
sci flo drift away from proper domestic
life and now you stand here wreck OF
vice ard crime, and such a crime. No
wonder it shocked the community and
startled every womanly and manly heart.
That pitti1ess ride. that dastardly Out
rage, the poor victim laid dead by the
roadside. regardless OF whether she would
be found by kim friends or by beasts.
How gIady would / spare your relatives,
but in the exercise of my duty cannot
withhold anything which the sentence of
the law requires. The sentence of the
court IS thst you be imprisoned in the
State prtgon at Trenton for term OF
fifteen years at hard labor"
A good talker is always delighted when