Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-12-09
PATHETIC SCENE
 IN COURT ROOM Father of Six Small Chil- dren Goes to Penitentiary for Three Years for Sian dering Wife's Sister.
JUDGE LECTURED HIM
Mother Cries FranticalIy and Little Ones Cling to Papa'> Trousers Judge Grace Says He Gan Exercise No Clcmcncy.
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With his wife crying frantically and six small children clingins to him, E. C. RitcheH, farmer living near Dexter, this county, was led away from the Jefferson circuit court room today noon by deputy sheriff to the Jefferson county jail. He had Ibeen only a few moments before sen fenced to serve three years ill the State penitentiary for slanderins Miss Bertha Kelly, IS years old. his own sister -inlaW Ritchey was convicted by jury in the circuit court a week ago, but the jurors left the punish ment to Judge A. B. Grace The able iurist took the matter under deep consideration and announced that he would act on the case today.
 Ritchey, his wife and little ones, all poorly clad, were in the court room when the sentence was imposed. Judge Grace gave him the full punishment and Rtchey was the recipient of one
 
 heard in court room in this State
 Judge Grace then informed him of the punishment for islander, it being fine of from $50 to $3000 or peni- tentiary service of from months to :; years, or both. He stated that he had given the case serious cCnsidera- tion for days; that he had been ap- pealed to by persons who asked clemency for Rirchey for his family $ sake. ''I feel sorry for your family" said Judge Grace. but often the in nocent suffer for the guilty"
 Judge Grace said his offense was no trivial matter. ''If all you said of protection supposedly, you could not have lowered yourself more than by slandering in the manner you did, continued Judge Grace. "She was your own wifes sister. a mere girl only eighteen years old and if you had had any spark of manhood in you, you would have given her the same protection as brother. It was not your inability to resist, but your deliberate yillainy. It was a greater crime than if you had killed her. She would have then passed out of the world with a good name, but now you have added insult to injury and slandered and disgraced her.
 "There is no reason why l should ,, exercise clemency in this case. l don't want your money. I will leave that for your wife and children and ! wish that it was more than it is. I will ,, sentence you to three years at hard labor in the State pententiary at Lit tie Rock. MT. Sheriff, take charge of the prisoner"
 After consulting with his attorney, Ritche.a almost fell into chair. At torney Shaw asked the court to give him until Monday in which to file a motion for new trial. The request was granted.
 In the corridor just outside of the court room while Ritchey was being led away to the county jail, one ct the most pathetic scenes ever witness ed in the city was enacted. Mrs. Ritchey, carrying two little ones hardly large enough \ to walk, clung to her husband. weeping bitterly. Four more little children, one a boy of six years carrying his arm in sling, clung to the legs of the prisoner, cry l ing from fright. occasioned by their mothers tears. The unfortunate fam lily was later taken to Attorney Shaw $ office. where they were consoled. The father was placed in a cell at the county jail.