The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-12-27
DAVIES GIVEN
NINE MONTHS
Former Deputy Clerk, Convicted of
Bounty Frauds, Sentenced.
COURT Hopes FOR REFORM
COUNSEL MAKES STRONG PLEA
FOR JUDICIAL cLEMENcY.

D. Beynon Davies, former deputy
county clerk. was sentenced 20 nine
months in the county jail by Judge
J. A. Howell yesterday for criminal
conspiracy in connection with the
bounty frauds OF last year. The maxi
mum penalty for the offense is one
year in the county jail OF a fine of
81, 900. Davies was found guilty last
week.
District Attorney f. c. LOofbourow
and F. J. Gustin. OF counsel for Davies.
We're both heard by Judge Howell be-
fore sentence was pronounced. Mr..
LOofbourow urged that Davies be given
the same penalty as Jones, Hanna and
Martin, three men concerned in the
frauds. who pleaded guilty and received
a sentence OF one year each, their
sentences running from the time of
their arrest
Mr.. Gustm asked for Ieniency because
Of the peculiar circumstances Of the
case. He said Davies had been con-
Victed on the testimony Of Jones, who
had confessed himself a perjurer, and
who had been criminal before he ever
met Davies. Mr.. Gustin charged Jones
with having been the originator of the
scheme whereby the state was de-
frauded,
Says He Was Jones Dupe.
Il am informed that Jones was .ib-
Grated from the county Jail last Thurs
day night said Mr. Gustin. He has
been paid for his testimony and no 9th
er complaint viii ever be fled against
him. II seems to me that il would be
a mOckery OF justice 10 send this boy
Davies TO the county jail for the limit
after he has been the dupe of such a
man as Jones. who. ] understand has
already been released"
Mr.. LOOfbOur0W said Jones had not
been released so far as he or any of
the county officials knew, and he be-
heVed Davies. who had been an Off
Ger of trust OF the county. and should
have protected its interests. ought TO
receive the maximum penalty.
In response TO an inquiry by Judge
Howell, Davies said he had no state
ment to make.
In passing sentence Judge Howell
said he had no right to consider what
might have been done Ia any other
case, but would pass sentence accord
present case. He said he believed it
was a pity that a graver charge could
not have been brought against all the
men concerned in the bounty frauds.
In the case of the defendant, said
the judge, there was good reason to be-
lieve Davies had borne a good char
acter prior 10 his present trouble and
that when liberated ] would endeavor
10 live an honest life again. In view
of the fact that prisoners in the county
jail are not entitled 10 a reduction of
sentence for good behavior, and taking
into consideration that Davies had a
family dependent on him, the judge
said he believed a sentence OF nine
months in jail would be a proper pen
atty.
He Begins His Sentence.
Davies was taken from the court
room 10 the jail to begin his sentence.
II is said by friends OF Davies that
whatever money he may have derived
through his connection with the bounty
frauds was spent long ago. He worked
as a laborer on the streets during the
time between his release from Jail on
bond and the time Of his trial.
Sheriff @. Frank Emery says the
statement that Jones has been released
from Jail Is a mistake, as the man Is
still confined in the rotary there.