Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-05-10
WhitIa Kidnapers Get Full
Extent of the Law in
Sentence of Court.
BOTH BREAK DOWN
But Had Planned Suicide by the
Morphine and Razor
Routes.

Mercer, Pa, May 1O.-JudSe VIII
liams today sentenced James II. Boyle,
convicted of kidnapping Willie Whitla,
to imprisonment for life. Mrs Boyle
gets 25 years. She is also fined $5 GOO
and costs.
Though no official announcement as
TO the effect of the fine has been made,
it is customary in this state to extend
Imprisonment until any fine has been
paid. Boyle did not create the scene
in court he had threatened and did not
utter word. Prior to his sentence
his counsel. however, made plea for
leniency for both Boyle and his wife,
and stated that until recently the per
lod of extreme penalty for kidnapping
was 10 years, and in view of the fact
that the boy had been treated with
every consideration and all care taken
not to infiict unnecessary mental an
guish upon the parents, he felt that
leniency could be asked for with pro
priety.
Both Collapse Completely.
Both Boyle and his wife collapsed
completely upon hearing the sentence
pronounced. When they started back
TO Jail from the court room Boyle
managed to walk with assistance down
the steps, but upon reaching the front
door he became limp and unable TO
stand. He was lifted into an omnibus.
but was utterly unable to support him
self, and was carried from the vehicle
10 his cell
Mrs. Boyle was in even a worse con
dition. She was unable to walk down
the steps from the court house to the
street, and was carried by officers to
the omnibus and from thence to her
cell on arriving at the Jail. There she
wcpt violently No handouts were
placed on either of the prisoners, their
condition being such that this require
ment was not deemed necessary.
Reviews Bad Records.
In pronouncing sentence on Boyle,
Judge Williams said in part: "Snce
your arrest we have investigated your
record. We find you have been con-
victed previously to your arrest for
KIDNAPPING You have been charged
with larceny, receiving stolen goods,
assault and battery, escaped from Jail,
and many other shady transactions
All these have had their influence with
the court in making us come to a de-
cision that We have reached, that your
punishment shall be the maximum SEN
tence."
Talk ON Hearing Sentence.
After the sentence had been impos-
ed Boyle arose and said:
"Your honor, you are wrong about
my record"
81 think not. 1t is a matter of court
record replied the judge.
When Mrs. Boyle was ordered to
stand up and receive sentence, she was
asked il she had anything to say.
II didn't do it, and think that the
evidence upon which | was convicted
was very fiimsy," she said.
THAT is matter for the jury to de-
eide" said the court; and then after
a brief review of the case he imposed
the sentence.
Meant to Suicide All Right
That threats for double suicide
were made by Mrs. Boyle last night
were not mere idle words was shown
today when it became known that
razor which had been secreted in
his clothing was taken from Boyle
today and that Mrs. Boyle had taken
what she says was enough morphine
to kill two people" The morphine
was taken between midnight and
daylight, but had little effect on the
woman. In cell adjoining Mrs.
Boyle, there was a woman who is
said to be addicted to the use of NOR
phine and who had been supplied
with 1t during her imprisonment.
Mrs. Boyle is said to have secured
several tablets from this woman and
have swallowed them. She was rem
dered partly unconscious during the
night and was very sick this morn
ing. 1t Is believed the effect of the
drug caused her collapse in the
court room.