Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-21
LIFE FOR
 MOONEY.
Sentenced by Judge
 Wheeler To-Day.
The Accused Put Up No De- fence-Pleaded Guilty to Murder in the Second
 Degree, and Added "I Did Not Know l Fired Pistol"

For the murder of James Dunn, q bartender in Maurice McCarthy's sd loon, 438 South Main street, on Janu- ary 3, Thomas Mooney, a native of Wilkesbarre, Pa, was sentenced this afternoon in the superior court by Judge George W Wheeler to life i'm prisonment in the state prison. Until late yesterday afternoon it was gen orally supposed that Mooney would insist on a trial. His counsel, Attor- ney Kennedy, was ready to proceed With q trial but this morning it was given cut that Mooney would plead guilty to murder in the second de gree and accept the inevitable, i'm. prisonment for life, rather than run a chance of capital punishment by having trial. In this state d plea of guilty to the charge of murder ill the first degree cannot be accepted by the courts. States Attorney Kellogg did not change the indictment in Mooney's case. Money made up his mind that he would end the suspense as soon as possible. He could have had his case put over to next week. but he preferred to get through with it. So at 2 o'clock when court re- stunned for the afternoon session, the indictment charging him with murder In the first degree was read to him for the first time. Straight and clean he stood before the court and when Clerk Marsh had finished reading the rather verbose document, Mooney said:
 Guilty of murder in the second degree, did not know fired the pis- tol'
 Attorney Kellogg then stated that he had inquired into the circumstances of the case and was convinced that the accused ought not to De hung. The court waited to hear from Attor- ney Kennedy who sat near his client, but Mir Kennedy said nothing until the court asked him if he had anything to say and he said he had not. Mir Kellogg then said it would be just as well to impose the sentence this af- ternOOn and the court immediately, and without any introduction, to tlie few words he said. committed Mooney to Imprisonment for life in the state prison.
 Mooney turned on his heel. soldier fashion. and had gone step or two toward the dock. but turned back, shook hands with Attorney Kennedy, then went to the dock and was i'm mediately removed to the cells in the basement. His brother, Cornelius D., has been in town during the past few ment possible.
 .sfa1x ah fftan in Waterbury when he got into this trouble He was employed as d brakeman on the Naugatuck road and on the afternoon of January 3ud last he was in McCarthy's saloon. For some days, 1t was said at the time. that he had been drinking. It was admitted that he had been in Me Carthy's the night before and had q few drinks on credit. Dunn. the bar tender, was playing pool and Mooney had been following him about the place talking to him about his bills, which appeared to bother Mooney more than it did the bartender or the proprietor.
 It is said that the latter told Moon ey once or twice to forget it." and "let it go,, that it was all right. and have another drink. Not an angry word was spoken. not a blow struck. everybody appeared to be friendly. But suddenly pistol shot rang out and those In the place were unable to move for a moment with astonishment. After the surprise had passed away they saw Dunn. the bar tender. on the floor. groaning and blood pouring from his side. He was shot in the groin Some said that Mooney tried to get away from the place and that the proprietor held him. that there was a tussle and some confusion. However. Mooney was in the hands of the police in A short time and Dunn was removed to the hospi- tai. Mrs Dunn was distracted that evening. but cheering news was is- sued from the hospital next morn ing It was said her husband would live. but he died at o'clock on the morning of January ,.
 Mooney has been a model prisoner while in jail. Sheriff Dunham did not give him much time to think over his crime but kept him as busy as possi- ble at light work around the corridors and office. It Is said that after a few years a petition for his pardon will be