The Washington herald., 1910-03-08
SINGULAR DEATH SENTENCE
Pronounced by Judge Benedict on a
Murderer in New Mexico,

pronounced by Judge Benedict on a
Murderer in New Mexico,
From the Green Bag
Probably the best anecdote of Judge
Benedict, Of New Mexico. IS that told
with regard to hts sentence of death
pronounced upon one Jose Maria Mar
tin, who was convicted of murder in
the District Court OF Taos County under
a state of facts showing great bru-
tally. and with absolutely no mitigating
circumstances. Judge Benedict said:
Jose Maria Martin. stand up Jose
Maria Martin. you have heen indicted.
tried. and convicted by a jury Of your
couHtrymen OF the crime OF murder and
the court Is now about TO pass upon you
the dread sentence OF the law. AS a
usual thing. Jose Maria Martin, 1t is a
painful duty for the judge OF court of
justice to pronounce upon a human
being the sentence of death. There Is
something horrible about it and the mind
Of the court naturally revolts from the
performance Of such a duty. Happily,
however, your case is relieved Of all such
unpleasant features and the court takes
positive delight in sentencing you to
death
You are a young man, Jose Maria
Martin; apparently Of good physical
constitution and robust health. OTdi-
narily you might have looked forward
TO many years Of life, and the court has
no doubt you have. and have expected
TO die at green old age; but YOU are
about TO be cut of on account Of your
own act Jose Maria Martin Il Il now
the spring time IN little uhiis the grass
will be springing Up green ~ these beau
tiful valleys and on there broad Hssas
and mOuntainsides flowers VIII he bloom
ing: birds will be singing their sweet
carols, and nature will be putting on her
most gorgeous and her most attractive
robes. and life will be pleasant and men
will want to stay. but none OF this for
you. Jose Maria Martin; the flowers VIII
not bloom for you. Jose Maria Martin:
the birds will not carol for you. Jose
Maria Martin. when these things come
TO gladden. the senses OF men you will
be occupying a space about six by two
beneath the sod. and the green Grass and
those beautiful flowers VIII be growing
above your lowly head.
1.-THE sentence OF the court IS that you
be taken from this place to the county
jail; that you be kept there safely and
securely confined. in the custody of the
sheriff. until the day appointed for your
execution. Be very careful, Mr.. Sheriff.
that he have no opportunity to escape.
and that you have him at the appointed
place al the appointed time. That you
be so kept, Jose Maria Martin, until
Mr.. Clerk, on what day of the month
does Friday. about two weeks from this
time, conner"
March %. your honor
VERY well. until Friday. the ed day
or Mar,h. when you viii be taken by
the sheriff from your place of confine-
ment TO some safe and convenient spot
within the oounty-thst is. in your dis
erection. Mr.. Sheriff; you are only con-
fined 10 the limits OF the courtyard
that you there be hanged by the neck
until you are dead, snd-the court was
about TO add, Jose Maria Martin, may
Coo nave mercy on your SOUL but the
court viii not assume the responsibility of
asking an all wise Providence to do that
which a jury Of your peers has refused
to do The Lord couldn't have mercy
on your soul.
However, If you affect any religious
belief or are connected with any religious
organization Il might be well enough for
you TO send for your priest or your
minister and get from him-well such
consolation as YOU can-but the court
advises you 10 place no reliance upon
anything OF that kind Mr. Sheriff. re-
move the prisoner"