The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-13
LIGHT
PENALTY
IMPOSED
Nina Danforth Sentenced to
One Year and Nine Months
for killing Andrew J. Emery

Cambridge. Nov. l3.-To a charge OF
manslaughter. Nina j. Danforth OF New
ton yesterday pleaded guilty In the Mid
dlesex superior criminal court. Previ-
ously she had pleaded not guilty to
charge OF murder, her alleged victim be-
ing Andrew j. Emery OF South Framing
ham.
counsel yesterday was changed from
murder TO manslaughter and the defend
ant made a corresponding change In her
plea.
The affair took place at Emery's home
In South birmingham on May II last.
IL Is claimed that Emery had led the
young woman. who Is a dwarf, to be-
lieve that he was in love with her and
would marry her, and that she shot him
upon learning that he had a wife and
children.
Few cases of late have attracted more
attention than this one. Miss Danforth,
a child in appearance on account of her
deformity, although % years of age. upon
learning OF Emerys faithlessness went TO
his home late at night and while his wife
and children were In the house shot him
after having called him to the door.
He fell dead. almost In the arms OF his
wife, who had followed him down the
stairs. Three bullets were fired, each
of which took effect. and after the man
dropped Miss Danforth still stood by.
and when nsighbors who had been
aroused by the sounds OF the shots came
TO the house. she admitted that she had
killed Emery
DOUBTFUL OF VERDICT.
For months the lawyers in the case
have been considering how the proceed
ings should be conducted, for II was
claimed that on account OF her physical
condition as we'll as because Of mental
ffArfr al Ill "a.
Emery. the defence would be insanity. 1t
was considered doubtful, moreover II
any jury would sustain a charge OF muir
der in view OF the circumstances attend
ing the case.
The matter was not decided until yes
terday. when the lawyers finally came to
an agreement that a plea OF guilty to
manslaughter should be entered. and that
IL should be accepted by the prosecution.
In pursuance OF this plan Miss Dan
forth was taken from the Jail early yes
terday afternoon. Sheriff Fairbarn and
the prisoners sister accompanied her
As she entered the court room she looked
like child. wearing she did a short
skirt. Tam-o'- '-Shanter hat and having her
hair braided down her back
The proceedings were very brief The
clerk first asked II Miss Danforth de-
cided TO change her plea on charge OF
murder. Counsel announced that il was
desired to change the charge from muir
der to manslaughter.
This was done, and Miss Danforth.
slaughter indictment answered when
asked whether guilty or not guilty.
Yes. in low tone. She did not seem
to be deeply affected. nor to take particu
lar note of the proceedings
SHORT SENTENCE
Miss Danforth was sentenced to a year
and nine months In the house OF correc-
ton.
Before sentence was passed District
Attorney George A. Sanderson addressed
the court reviewing the case LAWYER
F. II. Krebs. Jr., on behalf OF Miss Dan
forth, urged the court TO exercise Glenn
ency He cited that the defendant men,
tally. morally, and physically was like
child that she was subject to violent
headaches. and that within 30 days pre-
vious to the time OF the shooting she was
that she was constantly in a hypnotic and
trance-like state.
Lawyer Johnson. also representing Mis-.
Danforth. spoke briefly, corroborating
the facts set forth by Mr.. Krebs
The Judge replied to counsel by saying
that nothing which had been called to
his attention would Justify such an Of
fence as that which had been committed
in this instance. He said that the con-
duct OF Emery toward the defendant
ought TO be taken into consideration. with
respect to It's effect upon the brain. He
consideration, and would pronounce a
light penalty. He then sentenced Miss
Danforth TO serve one year and nine
months in the Cambridge house OF cor
rection.
The prisoner heard the sentence OF the
court without apparent emotion. Mrs
Emery. the widow OF the man who was
killed. who occupied a seat In the witness
box. burst into tears.
Miss Danforth RESPONDED promptly to n
motion from Sheriff Fairbsirn. and ac-
companfed him out OF the court room.