The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-04-17
Sentence Will be Passed BY JUDGE
Speef To-Day
CASE LASTED FOURTEEN WEEKS
Defendants Found Guilty on Each OF
the Three Indictments Against Them.
Court May Impose q Maximum Sem
it~entiary and Fine Of 1915 600.
Nothing Known as to What the Next
Steps in the Case Will be.

Steps in the Case VIII be.
Savannah, Ga, April 12.-Benjamln
D. Greene and John F. Gaynor we're
found guilty of conspiracy against the
government, presenting false claims
and embezzlement, in the federal
court for the southern distrisI Of
Georgia today and tomorrow Judge
| Emory Speer will pass sentence upon
them.
The defendants were found guilty
| with no recommendation, upon each
of the indictments. The verdict was
rendered a few minutes before 2
o'clock, after the jury had been u
| three and a half hours.
For fourteen weeks the case had
been in progress, and there was the
stiffness of the tomb in the cour
room as Judge Speer asked the jury
if they had agreen upon a verdict.
Foreman Hope Thomas answered IN
the affirmative, and the three indict-
ments were taken and the findings
read by the clerk. The jury at the
request of the counsel for the defense
was then polled, and each member
stated that the verd1cts rendered upon
the indictments were his.
The maximum sentence that the
court may impose under the law is
an aggregate term Of seventeen
years in the penitentiary and q fine
of 1915, 900, the amount Of the alleged
embezzzlement. Before adjournment
until tomorrow morning at 10 O'Clock,
when the sentence will be p%ronounc-
| ed, Judge Speer said:
The minimum sentence permissible
under the law is two years in the pen
itentiary and a fine OF $1,000.
81 have no disposition toward these
unfortunate men except to be just, as
merciful as my duty under the law
will permit"
The clerk read to the court a COM
munication from the jury in which
the members rendered their heartfelt
thanks to the court, the attorneys on
both sides, the marshall and the other
officers of the court for the kindly
consideration shown them and the
manner in which they had provided
for their comfort and welfare.
Judge Speer in reply thanked the
Jury and said: 'fSince it is true that
no jury in the United States perhaps
in this century has had an ordeal
more trying than yours, surely also
it is true that you have rendered a
service more likely to be of benefit to
the people of this great republic In the
future. This court wishes to thank
YOU with all his heart for the manner
in which you have performed your
duty. Wishing you God speed, a safe
return to your homes and families, a
long life and much happiness, you are
discharged by the court
The defense's counsel will not dis
cuss the next steps to be taken in the
case, nor will District Attorney
Marion Erwin say what will be done
regarding the Indictments against
Oberlin M. Carter Michael A. Connel-
ly, VIM. T. and Edward F. Gaynor,
who were jointly indicted with the
defendants convicted today.
Mr.. Erwin this afternoon received
a telegram from Attorney General
Moody expressing the congratulations
of the president and the attorney gen.
eral upon the outcome Of the case.
. upon which Mr.. Erwin has been en-
gagged for seven years.
The trial Of Messrs. Greene and
! Gaynor has consumed about fourteen
weeks. The defendants were charged
with conspiracy to defraud the gov
eminent and embezzlement in connec
ton with the big government engin-
eering works in this vicinity. They
were indicted in 1902 and after fight,
ing extradition proceedings in New
York fed to Canada. After lengthy
proceedings there they were finally
:! ~extradited and were brought to Sa
= -,-rob For +r;al Copfafn Nhorlir NJ