Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-11
Mrs. Boyle is Given twenty-five
Years and Fined $4,000.
10Th COLLAPSE IN COURT
Neither is Able to Enter Van With,
out Aid.
WOMAN THREATENS SUICIDE
she Takes Heavy Dose OF Morphine
which She Secured FROM Pris-
Oner In an Adjointng
cell.

MERCER, Pa. May TO- James II. Boyle
was sentenced today to life Imprisonment
In the Western penitentiary at Pittsburg
for the KIDNAPPING of Billy" Whitla. Mrs
Boyle, indicted as Mary Roe received
sentence OF twenty five years, with fine
OF 5000 and the costs of the prosecution.
BOYLE did not create the scene in CONT
he had threatened. and did not utter
word prior 10 his sentence. His council
however. made plea for both Boyle and
his wife, pleading for ienienoy in both
cases. He stated that until q recent period
the extreme penalty for kidnapping IN this
state was ten years and in view Of the
fact that the boy had been treated with
every consideration and that all care
had been taken not 10 inflict Unnecessary
mental anguish upon the parents he felt
leniency might be asked for with pro-
priety.
Both Boyle and his wife collapsed COM
pletely upon hearing their sentences pro-
nounced. When they were started back 10
the jail from the court room, Boyle man
aged to walk without assistance down the
steps. but upon reaching the front door
he became limp and unable to stand. He
was lifted into the old-fashioned omnibus
in which the prisoners have been trans
ported for several days between the court
house and the Jail. When he was placed
upon the seat inside the vehicle, he was
left for moment unsupported and fell
nearly out of II before he was caught. He
was utterly unable TO support himself. and
had to be held all the way to the jail and
carried to his cell.
Omcers Garry Mrs. Boyle.
Mrs. Boyle was in even worse condition.
She was unable to walk down the steps
from the court house to the street, and
was carried by Sheriff Chess and Chief of
Police Livermore down three flights of
stairs to the street, She was lifted into the
omnibus, and when the teil was reached.
she was again lifted out by these officers
and carried to her cell, whore she vept
violently. No handouts we're placed on
either prisoner on the journey back to
their cells and It was considered unneces-
sary to manacle them in the condition they
were in.
After Judge Miller Of counsel for the
Boyles had completed his plea for leniency
in behalf of his clients, Judge Williams,
the presiding judge, told Boyle to stand up
and asked him II he had anything to say
as to why sentence should not be pro-
nounced upon him. Boyle merely said: 81
Williams then addressed the prisoner and
told him of the heiEous nature II the
crime Of which he had been convicted. The
court said:
Mr. Boyle. the crime of child stealing
In ancient times was punishable by death.
In Pennsylvania the law is more lenient"
Mrs. Boyle Tries Suicide.
That the threats of double suicide made
Axr
Idle words shown today, when II be-
came known that a razor which had been
secreted In his clothing was taken from
Boyle today, and that Mrs Boyle had
taken what she says enough norphins 10
Kill two people" The morphine was taken
between midnight and daylight but had
little effect on the woman
In the cell adjoining Mrs Boyie's thers
is woman who is said TO be addicted ~
the use Of morphine and who hAA been sun
piled with II during her Imprisonment Mrs
Boyle is said TO have secured several
tablets from this woman and to have
swallowed them She was rendered partlv
unconscious during the night and was ver,,
sick this morning. 1t is believed the ef
feet OF the morphine caused her To col
lapse in the court room
The Judge then described the different
acts passed by the Il gislatures on kidnap-
ing, bringing II down to the prekent time
He said 1t had been stated by the attor-
neys you took good care OF him because
ne was your prize package" You mad "a
treat him well to get what money was
demanded
Since your srrest we have investigated
your record We find YOU have been con-
Victed IN Mercer county court brevio,,sI,
been charged with larceny. recetving .tol-
en- goods, assault and battery and eseapea
from Jail and many other shady trans-
actions All these have had their inn.
ence with this court in making US come
70 the decision we have reached that vour
punishment shall be the maximum SEN
tence imprisonment for life"
After the sentence had been innnossd nm
Boyle he arose and said 10 the court.
your honor' you are wrong about nv
record"
i think not. II is matter OF court
record" replied the Judge.
When Mrs. Boyle was ordered 10 stand
up to receive sentence. she was nsked tf
she had anything TO say
! did not do 1t and think The evideno.
upon which ! was convicted Nas very
flimsy." she said
nat was matter for lie Jury 10
decide said Judge Williams arc then
sfter brief review OF the case ba Inn.
posed the sentence.
Although no official snnouncenen, a. to
'he effect Of the fine has beea made IL ,s
customary In this state to extend impris.
onment until any fine imposed has -,
paid. "'' "sen
That death is preferable to imprison-
ment IN Mrs. Boyles opinion was indicated
by reported attempt TO take her own life
during last night by swallowing morphine
alleged 20 have been secured from a fell
low prisoner Her threats Of a double
suicide might have been carried out hst
for the fRllnrn Of the nnnrrhina ~ -.