Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-15
VERDICT OF GUILTY
FOR ROLLA ROBE


the winery he did not know Meslxil was
ahead of him, and said the latter was in
the lead because he was nearer the
buildings and therefore had the inside
track.
Says Robe Lacked Will Power
Tie told of Robes attacks of epilepsy
and of the effect on the prisoner VIII
power after each recurring attack. speak
| ing of Garleman's testimony, ne said IL
was for the purpose OF putting hope III
the worst possible position, and declared
| that Garleman In his identification OF the
hat Robe is said to have worn did not
know whether it was a smooth brim or
hat with a band do you want to nang
a man on that kind Of testimony ne
demanded.
Meskil, he said, was the man who by
his dominating character and deviilsh nnlilu
| led Robe on to do these things, ana de-
clared that Whatever that boy Is guilty
of he is not guilty of the murder of Pat
rick H. Lyons.
He declared the story told by Robe was
| truthful and could not be doWneo on
cross examination, and said the prosecu-
TONS transcript was full OF inconsls-
tencies.
he was going to cut 1t out then you must
bring in a verdict in his favor, ana IL you
and ne was forced by Meskil into that
robbery you must not find him guilty Oh
robbery" said the attorney.
District Attorney Fredericks closed the
argurent. He declared Meskil and Robe
we're equally guilty in the killing of Pat
rick II. Lyons. When men go out WIN
six-shooters to rob, he said, one Is as
guilty as his companion.
Did Not Work on sympathies
'When you discuss the facts" said Mr,
Fredericks, "you must do SO with tne
law in your mind. have not prouehe
here any widow or any chlld Oh rau Iid..n
LYONS; l have not tried to work on your
syInpathies and 1 don't intend to. There
are men walking the streets today VINO
are entitled to consideration and tneir
families to protection, and II one is
stricken down. there is where the SYM
pathy belongs. - 49,
"There is just one way to keep these
fellows in check, and l say to you' !et
us save the lives of those IN eAlsleli0e Wy
hanging these fellows.
''When a verdict is brought IN IL won
need the newspapers to spread the news.
Twenty or thirty others will go out anu
saw. Il, et us quit this highway robbery
they are hanging fellows up there.
life Imprisonment, he said, was not
what was due the prisoners crime. he
had q revolver and threatened the Officers
when cdpluIed' 49,
He ridicuied the idea of cercion by Mes
kII and declared the purchase of overalls,
revolyers and other things was Tor the
purpose not of carrying out one hold-up'
but many.
Mr.. Fredericks concluded at 4:lO O'Clock
and 25 minutes later the court had read
the instructions to the jury. AS the in
structions were being read, Robe watched
the Judges face with painful intensity,
winking frequently as if to relieve the
strain on his eyes. AS the jurors left the
courtroom the prisoners face paled and
he looked about as if hoping to hear a
cheering voice.
Asks Father to Stay
Before he was taken from the room he
leaned over and spoke to his wife. The
little child sitting on her lap chung to him
and entreated him lispingly not to go.
The crowd which had filled the court
room all day fingered until six O'CLOCK
u,ben the chamber was cleared. When
tbe verdict was brought in nobody eX-
cent those entitled to admittance was IN
the room, nor was any person allowed IN
side the courthouse.
A. the verdict was read Robe percept-
INV nailed while his wife wept silently.
Tbe time for sentence was fixed at 10
o,clock Saturday morning, and after the
,,sorer and wife had kissed each other
asaod NV he was taken back to the county
isu The prisoner shook hands on the
y,,av ont with his counsel ana thanked
then, for their efforts in his behalf.
NAA