The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1909-06-11
To Serve from l-2 to Is
Years in Jackson Prison
for Perjury.
THREE YEARS RECOMMENDED
By the Court. Phillips Got 90 Days
in Detroit House of Correction.
Other Sentences Deferred.

John G. BerrIdge has started to serve
his sentence in the jackson State Prison
for perjury He was sentenced by
Judge Des Voignes on Wednesday moru-
ing for a term OF not less than eighteen
months nor more than fifteen years, with
a recommendation that he serve three
years. Before sentence was passed, w.
j. Barnard, attorney for respondent,
made an appeal for his client and asked
the clemency of the court. He stated
that he was satisfied with the trial OF
the case; that they had had fair and
trial He spoke of the good
reputation of his client and the bad
training in the handling of liquors which
be had received during the past two
wears, and that the crime for which
Berridge had been convicted was COM
mon one 10 Van Buren county He also
stated that in his opinion there are dit
ferent degrees of perjury and that this
offeuse was one of the lesser ones. The
court made some touching remarks to
the prisoner, and referred to his previous
good character He also spoke of the
fact that he had given false testimony
on the witness stand and of the gravity
of his offense He recognized the fact
that there are different degrees of per-
Jury, and that he had only injured him.
self by the commission of this crime.
He also gave the unfortunate man much
good advice and hoped he would come
out from the prison better man, ana
that he would profit by his mistake.
Berridge was evidently laborlng under
great mental strain during the remarks
OF the court especially when he referred
to visit from an older brother and to
letter which be had received from his
good old mother" He was taken to
Jackson by Sheriff Chappell on Thurs
day morning.
The crime for which Berridge was
convicted was that of making false re-
turns to the prosecuting attorney as
stated by the True Northerner last week.
The evidence showed that large num-
Der of sales were made that were not re-
ported, as sworn to by him. Berridge
denied the allegations, but the Jury
brought in verdict of guilty after being
out but about two hours. Thirty-one
witnesses were sworn for the people and
sixteen for the respondent. Prosecuting
Attorney Warner is entitled 10 much
credit for the manner in which this case
was handled for the people. Berridge
was also ably defended but it was a lost
cause.
Albert Phillips, young man from
Detroit, was sentenced to the Detroit
House Of Correction for a period of 80
DAYS. tie was arrested on charge of
burglarizing Charles Shaefer's residence
in Lawton, but was allowed TO plead
guilty to the lesser otfense of receiving
stolen property. Phillips had stated to
the court that this was his first otfense
and il had been the desire of the court
to release him on suspended sentence
but when be ascertained that he had al
ready done time" for the same otfense
he changed his mind.
George McCole and Burton Woodruff,
two boys from Dowagiac, had plead
guilty to entering a dwelling house in
Decatur, and were called up and asked
questions by the court. Sentence was
deferred for further consideration of the
circumstances surrounding the case.
The criminal calendar is now disposed
of and the Mattawan NJ. c. Il. II. damage
case is on trial as we 60 to press.