The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-01-10
TWO YEARS IN PRISON
LIGHT SENTENCE IMPOSED By
JUDGE BARROW.
ON THE DIAMOND QUEEN"
PLEADED GUILTY TO ONE INDICT-
MENT-OTHER DISMISSED.

County which the Plea Meant and
Also Considered Woman's Pre-
Nious Good Behavior.
Without the slightest show of emo
ton Mamie DeCrs, known to fame as
the Diamond Queen stood in the Su-
perior Court yesterday while Judge
Barrow passed sentence upon her
Two years at hard labor in
the penitentiary was the pen
atty imposed for the daring diamond
swindIe. the sentence of the court
marking the close of one of the most
sensational cases that ever attracted
the attention of the community.
The sentence was pronounced imme-
diately after the return of the indict-
emtns In fact the ink was scarcely
dry on the bills before the sentence Of
the court had been pronounced and the
woman was on her way back to Jail.
The news that the Diamond Queen"
would be sentenced as soon as the in
dictment had been returned spread
rapidly, and when the prisoner was
brought into the court room there was
d sinai NlONu ~ NdANll Aht pAptC'A-
ings and get a glimpse of the woman
whose daring swindle has been a street
corner topic for several months.
Two Indictments Returned.
Solicitor General Osborne announced
that two indictments had been return
ed against the prisoner, one in the
Theus and the other in the Desbouil
Ions 'swindle, and that the prisoner
would plead guilty to one, in consid
Grafton of the dismissal of the other.
While it was a matter entirely within
the discretion of the court, he thought
the ends of justice would be sub
served by the imposition of sentence in
one case.
Col. Colding spoke a few words in
behalf of his client saying that this
was the first time that she had been
before the court for any offense; that
she, of course. felt her modification
deeply, and had assured the officers
that she would never be guilty of any
offense again. He said that she did
not care to go through the Formally Of
q long trial, which would entail much
expense to the county, and appealed
to the clemency of the court in pass
ing sentence upon her.
with bowed Head.
While her counsel was speaking she
sat with bowed head, her chin resting
upon her hand. While she did not
seem nervous, her whole demeanor be-
spoke the modification which the or
deal occasioned Every eye in the
court room was fixed upon her. Her
appearance in court created a favora-
bic impression, and many who had not
seen her were surprised to note her
modest appearance.
She was dressed in a natty looking
travelling suit of dark blue, and wore
a neatly figured shirt waist of stylish
pattern. Her hat was of grey, taste
fully trimmed She wore glasses, and
her heavy suit of dark hair was be-
comingly dressed. There has never
perhaps before been a prisoner from
the Jail brought into The Superior Court
room, whose appearance was less sug-
gestive of the character of the accused.
Judge Barrow was centent to accept
the single plea, and allowed the in
dictment in the Desbouillons case to
be dropped. He then sentenced her for
the theft of the jewelry from Theus
Bros.
STAND up" he said
The prisoner did not seem to under
stand, and was told the courts order
by her attorney.
In this case" said the court, you
have filed plea of guilty. AS Mr..
Colding has said, this is the first time
that you have ever been before the
court"
Yes, sir" said the prisoner. her
voice indicating gratitude and appre-
hension.
And you have spared the county
the expense of a trial." continued the
court; afT9 taking these two things in
to consideration l sentence you to two
years in the penitentiary at hard la
Dor"
The Ordeal of Sentence.
The woman stood the ordeal with
composure. but this was only through
an effort, as was shown by her actions
just after she left the court room. She
was taken into the sheriff's office
where she burst into tears. She threw
herself over table and wept bitterly
for long while, but when told that
she must go back to the Jail. dried her
tears, and walked with the officers
without giving vent TO her feelings. On
reaching the Jail she again dissolved
into tears.
She will he sent to the state farm at
Milledgeville as soon as possible The
Prison Commission has been notified.
the prisoner if they direct that she be
sent to the regular penitentiary in
stead of the state farm. that direc-
tion viii be taken. 1t is hardly prob
able that that course will be taken,
however. She will be sent to the farm.
where, minus her jewelry, she will
swing the hoe, or do other labor in
expiation of her unusual offense
Ten days ago it was announced in
= the Morning News that Mamie would
plead guilty and would probably re-
ceiVe a sentence of two years. At that
time she was being examined by
physicians and there was some ques-
ton as to her sanity. Before this ex-
animation had been completed she de-
c'ared to a representative of the
Morning News that she was only
shamming insanity and expressed a
desire to enter a plea of guilty and
begin serving a term in states prison.
Her "AccompIice" story Untrue.
At the same time she gave out a
sensational story, in which young
SaVannahian was alleged to have been
her accomplice. Solicitor General Os-
borne stated yesterday that he had in
vestigated her story, and believed il
10 be fabrication. pure and simple
fancy of degenerates mind The
prosecuting attorney figured where all
OF the money she secured from the
diamonds had been spent, and stated
that in his opinion no one could have
shared in the spoils with her. Despite
this fact. the woman continues to as
sert that she has told the truth. and
That she was induced to sham insanity
and disown her own mother.
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