The San Francisco call., 1905-06-24
GRAND JURORS
AID REBST0CK
Present a Petition to Judge
LaWlor That Defendant Be
Not Sent to State Prison
SYMPATHY FOR FAMILY
Sentence Is Again Postponed
for Further Showing as to
Mitigation Of Punishment

The sympathies of the grand jurors
who found the indictment against Joseph
Rebstock, convicted of a violation of the
election law by an officer of a primary
election precinct. have been enlisted on
his behalf. Yesterday morning, when
Rebstock appeared for sentence before
Judge Lawlor, a petition was presented
signed by twelve of the grand jurors re-
questing that he be not sent to State
prison, thereby subjecting him to last
ing disgrace and infamy. Sentence was
again postponed till Monday morning.
When the case was called Attorney
Alexander L. O'Grady said he desired to
make showing in regard to mitigation
of punishment. and he called Detective
Sergeant William Armstrong to the wit
ness stand. Armstrong testified that he
had known Rebstock ever since he was
a boy. twenty-five years ago. Rebstoek
had always borne good reputation and
had never been in trouble before He
had been the sole support OF his widowed
mother, five sisters and two brothers
ever since the fathers death.
Rebstock was called, and he testified
that he was the sole support of his moth
er, who was SO years of age. and his sis
ters and brothers, who were attending
school. He had supported them out OF
street cleaning department. The family
had lived in the same house for eighteen
years. 1t was the first time In his life
that he had been in trouble.
O'Grady then presented the petition
signed by twelve members of the Grand
Jury who had found the indictment
against the defendant. 1t was addressed
to the Judge, and read as follows:
Being advised that your Honor may. in
dScrefi0nN JOSepl ReDStOCk TO
the County Jail with the alternative OF nne
instead of to States prison and that the evil
Rebstock to be "a young man of good character
and repute. and being further ADVISED tnat
dependent on said Joseph Rebstock for sup
port and maintenance. now. therefore. We
the undersigned members OF the Grand jury
which found and Indictment against MIN, re-
spectfully request that your Honor VIII not
sentence him to States prison. tnereoy SUD
jecting him to lasting disgrace and inlamy.
The grand jurors who signed the peti-
ton are: A G. Hagedorn. Matthew
O'Brien, Charles McLane. Alfred Lilien-
field, Maurice Bloch, 1. Zellerbach, M. H.
Esberg, J. w. sCarmany, Morris Levy,
George Purlenky, Charles M Welch ana
Theodore F. Bonnet. Attorney OGrady
explained that Wakefield Baker, the re-
naming member of. the thirteen who
found the indictment, had explained that
he did not recollect whether he voted for
the Indictment, and not being familiar
with the merits of the case did not care
to sign the petition. O'Grady promised,
If given time, TO obtain more signatures
of grand jurors to the petition, and the
Judge accordingly postponed sentence till
Monday morning.
1t is understood that an effort will be
made to obtain the signatures of the
twelve Jurors who found Rebstock guilty
to a similar petition, which will be pre-
sented on Monday morning. The jury, IN
rendering It's verdict has recommended
the defendant to the mercy Of the Court