Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-04-28

torney Pendleton. Turning 10 Cler
woodward Judge Jones said: "The
court wishes TO state its findings. Mr.
Cierk, enter verdict in this case of
guilty OF murder in the first degree. y
AS the court spoke Leazer leaned
forward, his eyes sought those of the
Judge ana his Jaw dropped downward.
The blood receded from his face and
deathly pallor overspread il. He
gulped convulsively and seemed to he
STRIVING TO restrain his composure. In
dazed condition he sat aud listen ed
20 the further words of the court
Before making any further remarks
the corut asked If suspension of SEN
tenoe was desired ON the part of the
ueIense, which was answered in the
afhrmatiye. Proceeding Judge Jones
stated that IL was not necessary for
the court 60 give the reasons which
prompted il in arriving at the deei
sion just rendered, but that it felt
constrained 60 say something in the
matter. He stated that there were
features IN connection with the case
Whloh needed some statement being
made.
In this section and in Others in
which this court sits" said Judge
Jones, there is rapidly growing
number of members of the race of
which Leazersis a member, who make
practice OF carrying weapons-re-
volyers. AT the first Indication of
trouble, at any time when they think
themselves agrieved, they draw their
weapons and shoot. Several times re.
Gently these troubles have resulted in
8. 2 A
the prisoner has been found guilty.
You would not have been here for this
crime; you would not have been in
thus trouble II you had not been pro.
vided with gun. You took the life
OF this officer without a moments
warning, the life of man who was
pledged TO protect society. the lives
and property of the residents of the
neghborhood IN which he worked.
Your life will be taken in a very
different manner, with all the rights
which this court can give you. You
were guilty OF three offenses before
you encountered the officer. You were
guilty of trespass, you were guilty of
carrying deadly weapon aud you
were guilty of larceny and then you
committed this willful and unjustifi-
able otfense. There was no scuffle pre-.
cedlng the shooting excepting as
brought out in your testimony and
this the court cannot accept. The
other witnesses are to be commended
for their testimony. You must under
stand that they were not kwilling wit.
nesses against you, but that they tried
to shield you ana were only got to
testify after much trouble. This court
has all possible respect for human
life. but you must remember that it
was brought upon you by your own
act and not by this court That is all
the court wishes to say. +"
Leazer sank back in his chair, gazed
as.g!.prehensiyely s.!. about and then sought
no hope there he dropped his eyes and
remained quietly sitting until the
bailitfs succeeded in making a lane
through which he could be escorted to
the side room TO be later removed to
the county Jail. He made no remark
to his attorneys, and they had nothing
10 say to him as he was lead away.
A large number of persons on the
street hung about the Court House for
a long time awaiting his removal and
followed the prisoner and the deputies
some distance down the street ON the
way to the Jail. 1t has been stated
that the attorneys for Leazer will en-.
deavor to appeal the case. but on what
grounds other than that they objected
TO the testimony of the man Horah is
not known. Leazer had stated in his
testimony that next October he will
be thirtytwo years of age, but present
indications are that he will not live
to celebrate thatevent. Opinions have
been expressed that he will be execut-
ed before July 4.