Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1907-10-27
FORD GETS SIX MONTHS
AND FINE OF $500
Though the Punishment Is Light the
Purpose of the Law 10 Served.

Lee Ford who was convicted Of con-
spiracy with his wife Dolly Ford by
Judge Kent to procure the violation Of
the Edmunds act was yesterday SEN
fenced to six months in the county
jail and to pay fine OF $500. The i'm
position of the sentence was preceded
by motion for a new trial which was
denied: then by a motion in arrest of
Judgment which was also denied. This
latter motion was based on three
grounds; first, that the allegations in
the indictment did not set forth facts
sufficient TO constitute charge OF
public offense; second, that the CO.
defendant, Dolly Ford had not yet
been convicted; third, that she could
not be legally convicted.
This motion was offered before noon
and the sentencing OF Ford was post
poned until three o'clock. When he
was brought into court he was ex-
tremely nervous, afflicted with ner-
vous cough. He was told to stand up
and was asked II he had anything to
say why sentence should not be passed
upon him. He replied that though the
jury had found him guilty he was not
guilty. He said that he had married
the woman seventeen months ago,
knowing what she had been but that
there was an understanding that she
would mend her ways. After they had
lived together for a short time she re-
turned to her old life in spite of his
protests. He was he said n hard work.
ing man and was self supporting.
meaning by that declaration TO convey
that he had not profited by the shame
full earnings Of his wife.
The court in reply said that the max
imum penalty for the crime OF which
the defendant had been convicted was
fine of $4,000 and sentence of two
years in the penitentiary. The court
found nothing in the circumstances
and the evidence in this case to soften
the punishment which might be impos-
ed He was willing to assume though
that the defendant was a reputable
citizen except for this one offense. The
evidence had shown nothing to the
contrary though the court said he had
received considerable outside informa-
ton putting him in different light.
However the jury had found him gull
ty and the court was unable to find
anything in the evidence tending to
show that the verdict had not been
properly found.
The court said that he was not dis
posed to impose a severe sentence and
he was moved to this view by the cir
cumstance entirely that the case was
novel one the first ever brought in
this territory and perhaps the first
ever brought anywhere. In passing
sentence ii was the purpose OF the
court not to severely punish the de-
PENDANT but to inform others similarly
situated that they were within the
reach Of the law. He further said that
IL any other person were now convict
ed Of a similar crime he would not be
dealt with so leniently. Then sentence
was announced. Judge Baker for the
defendant asked for a certificate OF
probably cause. That was denied, the
court stating that there seemed no
ground on which il could be granted.
II ii were granted in this case 1t should
be granted in every case that came be-
fore the court.
After the conference between the
court and United States Attorney Alex
ander. the case against Dolly Ford was
passed. Whether an appeal will be
! taken has not been announced.