The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1905-02-22
The Lexington Dispatch.
Wednesday, February 22, 1905.
Sentenced to Die.
bia State. February II.


court yesterday scene dramatic in
the extreme and only too infre quensly
seen in ,he State of South Csrolins.
Marion Parr, convicted murderer,
was placed before the bar and sen.
fenced to be hanged on the l4sh day
of April next.
Before the bar stood the criminal,
the first of bis race to be in tu,h
position since Robert Hodge stof d
up to receive his sentenced iu 1863
There was desthly silence over 'he
assembled crows, and during tbs
time scarcely word was spoken pave
by the principal actors in this tra,e 'y
,u the life of a white man who had
been convicted Of foul murder.
When asked the customary ques-
tion by the Judge, as to whe'h her be
had anything to say why the sen.
teuce of death should not be passed
upon him, the prisoner in calm apd
cool manner expressed the opinion
that he bad proved an alibi and con-
81 quently was innocent OF the crime.
He claimed that because be was poor
and friendless he was being persecut-
ed by some one, for what cause be
did not know. His remarks were
short and be displayed little, in fact
not any, nervousness while making
his speech. Psrr closed with plea
for the mercy of the court, seemingly
not knowing that the only punish.
mens which could be inflicted under
the verdict was that of death.
At the conclusion of the prisoners
remarks and amid complete silence,
the Judge started upon the speech
which was to conclude with the words
which would in all probability, settle
the fate of the prisoner at the bar.
Judge Mcdonald said that be would
not review the evidence adduced dur
ing the trial aud also stated that be
regretted that be could not grant
new trial. This he said he could not
do and perform his duty, *uppieasant
though it might be. The contentious
cf the defendants counsel be bad
carefully weighed and nothing would
have pleased him better than to have
granted the new trial, but he had not
been conscientiously able to do 80.
He said that before him was one
of the unplessantest duties which
man is called upon to perform for
his country. Counsel had been ap-
pointed for the defendant and we'll
had they represented him. He hoped
they would be able to carry the case
to the Supreme court, so as to decide
upoo all points of the law. Upon
the evidence that court had no rower
to act. The correctness or falsity OF
that had been passed upon by fair
and impartial jury.
Judge Mcdonald went on to say
that the prisoner had claimed that
be was innocent, but in the human
tribunals such matters could only be
Judged on the evidence presented,
both fer and against the prisoner.
There might be an error, but 80 far
as human justice could. decide the
prisoner was guilty of q most foul
and uujustifable murder. Under
the verdict delivered by the jury
there could be only one sentence
passed. There was only one power
that could save the guilty man, unless
possibly the supreme court granted
q new trial. and that was the Govern
o.. The judge said that he was sorry
for the man and hoped that every ef-
fort would be made to save him from
death During the time which will
be given to the prisoner the Judge
said that he would commend him to
God and hoped that the condemn
ed man would spend the time in
praying to Almighty God for for
giveuess. He would find in the
Christian religion that comfort and
consolation of which he was in sore
peed. The guilty man had been
tried before God and his country and
had been convicted by his country,
80 his only hope was to pray God to
grant him his forgiveness.
Judge Mcdonald then pronounced
the sentence:
1T being solemnly demanded Of
the prisoner at the bar if he hath
anything to say why the sentence OF
death should not be passed upon him,
be saith nothing further unless he
hath before said.
'.Whsrefore, it is considered by the
court, and pronounced as the ludg-
ment of the law, that the said Marion
Parr be taken hence whence last be
came. there to be kept in close and
safe custody until Friday. the 14Sh
sday of Apri! next; and 'thss on that
said Friday between the hours OF 10
o'clock 10 the forenoon and Z o'clock
=: 49, oStoS~oo, l,o Sct,,r fo $ho ea;{