The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1907-05-02
Auto Expert. Convicted of Man
slaughter, is Sentenced to
Pay q Fine of 81, 600
SAGE REMARKS OF THE COURT
In Sentencing Collier Judge Belden Re.
views the Case, and Claims That
Deceit and Inhumanity
Warranted Sentence

The famous case of the State VS..
Edward Collier, charged with and con-
victed of manslaughter in the fourth
degree in connection with the killing
of William Dreyer north of Kenosha
last July, came to an end in the Cir
cult Court this morning, when Judge
Belden sentenced Collier to pay fine
of $1,000 and the costs of the action
or be imprisoned in the county jail
for period of six months. The fine
and costs of the action were paid and
Collier walked out of Court free
man just before noon. The entire
cost of the trial as paid by Collier
was little over $500.
Just before sentence was imposed
on Collier the attorneys for the de-
Tense moved the Court for an arrest
of judgment and this was at once
denied. Collier was called before the
Court and asked if he had anything
to say why sentence should not be
imposed on him and he replied that
he had not. The Court then in one
of the most apowerful addresses
ever delivered to a prisoner at the
bar in this circuit, sentenced Collier.
He said:
"At the beginning of'your trial l told
the jury that the State does not de-
sire thehconviction Of any person ac-
cused Of an offense against the law
unless, after a fair and impartial
trial, and in the face of the presump-
tion of innocence with which the law
guards thel accused, the jury is con-
WINGED beyond a reasonable doubt Of
such persons guilt.
"a jury as able and as fair as any
that ever sat ia this Court has found
Iyou guilty of manslaughter in the
fourth degree, resulting from what
the law dominates culpable negli-
gence. In the ruling upon-your mo-
ton for a new trial you have the
Judgment of the Court that the evil
dence supports the verdict, and that
the trial was properly conducted.
cit now becomes my duty to say
what manner ofSpunishment shall be
imposed upon you. have considered
this matter with great concern and
from all points of view. There we're
many things to be considered, not
ordinarily entering into deliberations
of this sort. It has been my duty to
determine what penalty, under all the
circumstances shown upon the trial,
best subserves the interests of the
state and of yourself. I have dealt
with this matter deliberatelyIso that
| might be entirely satisfied with the
conclusion.
"Thescrime of which you have been
found guilty is one of the lowest de-
grees of homi eide. In this case it is
devoid Of all intent to commit crime
It was not wilful1. It was the result
of care1essness or reck1essness,
amounting, in the eyes of the law, to
blameworthy or culpable negligence.
It may be punished by Imprisonment
in the state prison not more than two
years nor less than one year, or by
fine not exceeding one thousand dol
lars, or ny both such fine and impris-
onment.
1.-THE purpose of punishment for
violation of law is not only to punish
the individual wrong doer, but also
to furnish a salutary example and
warning to others: You are not the
only person involved iii this unfortun-
ate affair who should regret it, but
you are the only one involved who
can be punished in this proceeding.
"While Imprisonment might be a
more wholesome warning and deter
rent to other drivers of automobiles
or other vehicles of conveyance in
clined to be reckless, or careless. or
negligent, or Indifferent, perhaps, to
the rights and safety of other pur-
sons, yet it is my Judgment that
Imprisonment would be an excessive