New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-20
WOODS PLEAlSACCEPTED
SECOND DEGREE MURDER.
Tbirtu Years in Prison for Nan Who
,SLe1C Grocer,

somerville, N J., May 10 (Specia).-George
Wood abandoned his dual persopalty oetehce
to-day and pleaded guilty to murder III the sec
ond degree by advice of his wife The proposition
was made to his counsel by the prosecution after
II became evident the State was unable TO es-
tablish a motive or show the Fermentation nee
essary to convict Wood of murder IN the nrSt
degree for the shooting of George Williams the
Watching grocer, February 2 A few minutes
after entering his plea Wood received a SEN
tence to thirty years in the State Prison at
Trenton. Justice Garretson Ignoring the pea lor
cemency by Woods counsel.
After it had been decided to allow WOOD 10
plead guilty to murder in the second degree
his counsel Mr.. Swackhammer, explained the
situation to the prisoner. Wood said he left 1t
all to his wife.
You will not be allowed to go free in any
case" his lawyer told him.
Il don't want to go free!' cried the prisoner.
IF 1 am crazy l want to be locked up. can
remember anything about those first days, but
1 am sure l did not kill man. If did Kill
Williams and know nothing about it, my GOD!
man, 1 might turn my own wife and Kill her!
I wish TO God I could remember! Am really
crazy? II l am, or if l did kill somebody, for
Gods sake don't let me out where l might harh
some one else, even my wife"
He told Mr. Swaokhamer ne thought the
check he is alleged to have raised" from 81
to $40 was for $40 when he received it, ana re-
tterated his assertion that he could remember
absolutely nothing of his visit TO New-Jersey
which resulted in the murder of Williams
'I had been drinking when l left New-York'
he said. IT cannot account for the lapse OF
memory I may have been drunk all the ume
until I came 10 myself in the Tombs. why
should 1 kill williams? I did not know him;
a
crazy / had better die now. l leave 1t all 10
my family Let them choose for me-
When court convened Mrs. Williams the
widow of the murdered man. took her seat be-
side Professor Regar as the prisoner was led
in pale and nervous. For the first time since
the beginning of the trial his wife was not IN
the courtroom to meet him. She entered later.
as the lawyers for both sides left the room for
a long consultation with Justice Garretson
When they returned Prosecutor Roger arose
and said that since there was not evidence
enough to establish generalization and motive
and the prisoners counsel did not believe the
prisoners insanitay had been thoroughly estab-
Iished, the prosecution had decided to accept
plea Of guilty of murder in the second degree
Mr. SwaCkhamer then arose.
1T is perfectly clear to me-" he said, and
firmly believe that If this defendant committed
this crime, he not responsible for his act
yet the defendants insanity has not been proved
to the satisfaction Of the jury. There is no
proof of Wilful or premedtated murder. We do
not want such man turned loose, for as far
as we are concerned we are convinced of his
insanity"
Then, prompted by his counsel, Wood stolidly
pleaded guilty, and Prosecutor Roger moved that
judgment be pronounced forthwith. Mr.. Swack-
hammer pleaded for clemenCy and asked for the
a:-pointment of q commission to inquire ipto
Woods sanity Justice Garretson said he knew
of reason why clemency should be extended,
and gave to Wood the extreme penalty.
Wood sat down after sentence had been pro-
nounced and waited until the court had been
! cleared. His wife stayed by his side and ac
companied him back to jail. where she broke
down completely. Wood told her he was glad
ii all over, and that it was for the best that
he should be confined. Mrs. Wood remained
hysterical the rest of the afternoon. When she
left the Jail she said she hoped the State board
of pardons might do something for her hus-
! band or a commission might find him insane
and he be released when cured. Wood will be
taken to Trenton by the sheriff Monday or Tues
day.