Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-19
'Resentenced to Be Hanged.

Joseph Thomas. alias John Wright, COL
ored. convicted of crimnally assaulting
Mabel Risey. now Mrs. Forrest Gooding of
Washington. was rcsentenced to be hanged
by Judge Louis c. Barley at the April term
of the Alexandria county court today. The
date set for the execution is Friday. May
n. Wright was brought into the court
from the Jail shortly after II O'Clock this
morning by Sheriff w. II. Palmer. Deputy
Sheriff Howard Field and Jailer Harry
Collins. He was not handcuffed and ap-
peared to be but little concerned when be-
ing conveyed to the court house. although
when the final words of the sentence We're
pronounced he showed he was trifle
nervous.
Attorney James f. Clements. who repre-
sents the condemned man. was present and
objected to sentence being pronounced His
objection was, however, overruled by the
court. AS previously stated in The Star
Attorney Clements has not vet given up
hope and is of the opinion that Wright will
not be executed. He is firm in his con-
viction that Wright is innocent of the crime
for which he is sentenced to be hanged. He
is not ready to outline his future course in
behalf of the condemned man.
The offense for which Wright will pay
the death penalty occurred near Luna Park,
Alexandria county, September 9. 1906.
Wright was subsequently captured by the
Washington authorities and was indicted
for that and three other criminal offenses
October II. October 3 the accused man was
placed on trial for his life and the follow
ing night, November !, the jury, after de-
liberating forty-five minutes returned a
verdict of guilty and Wright was SEN
fenced by Judge Charles E Nicol to be
hanged December IA. 1866.
Since that time Attorney Clements has
made a vigorous fight to save Wrights life
having secured a stay of execution from
the state court of appeals for his client
Unless Attorney Clements carries the case
to the United States court or Wrights sen
&c. rod hN-l = lie
regarded as more than proba BILE that the
condemned man will eXpiate his crime on
the scaffold the day set by Judge Barley for
the execution.
Charge Dismissed.
Edward Harrison was arraigned in the
police court this morning on a charge OF
obtaining money from Matthew Mckeown
under false pretenses. The complainant
told the court that he loaned Harrison the
sum of 500, and that Harrison had prom
Used TO open newspaper plant and give
him permanent employment around the
building for the remainder of his life Nc
Keown. who is an old man, said he was to
secure a position as janitor.
Harrison told the court that he was under
the impression the amount of money Nc
keown had loaned him was about $3.50
and that he wanted him to secure a whisky
license with the money Tor a party in the
extreme northern end of the city. The
license, he stated, was refused, and he sub
sequently returned the money to the COM
plainant. AfterWard, he said. he got money
from the complainant and gave him notes
for the same. He denied having promised
to get him position. He also stated that
the money given in various sums
ranging from $50 to $50. Justice Cation
ruled that the case was civil one, and.
accordingly, dropped Ii from the docket and
dismissed Harrison.
Council Committee Meets.
The joint committee on finance and police
night and decided to make favorable re-
port a petition of the police asking for
an increase in salary of S. per month. The
report of the committee will be submitted
at the next semi-monthly meeting of the
city council Tuesday night. News of the
action OF the committee was received with
general approval this morning by the mem
beers composing the police force. The pres
ent salary of policemen is $50 per month.
The petition for an increase in salary has
been pending for several months past.
Believed to Be Insane
A man who gave his name TO the police
as John d. Curtis, twenty-six years of
age, who claims to reside at 400 New Jersey
avenue northwest, Washington is detained
at police station on suspicion of lunacy.
His Washington relatives have been noti-
fed, and he Will be turned over to them.