The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-04-19
REMARKABLE SENTENCE.
Prounonced by Judge Benedict on a
Murderer in New Mexico.

Probably the best anscdote Of
Judge Benedict Of New Mexico, says
the Grenn Bag, is that told with re-
gard to his sentence Of death pro-
nounced upon one Jose Maria Mar
tin, who was convicted of murder in
the district court Of Taos county IN
der a state Of facts showing great
brutality and with absolutely no mi
tigating circumstances. Judge Bene-
dict said:
"Jose Marie Martin, stand up!
Jose Maria Martin, you have been
indicted, tried and convicted by
jury of your countrymen Of the crime
of murder and the court is now about
to pass upon you the dread sentence
Of the law. As usual thing, Jose
Maria Martin, it is painful duty
to pronounce upon a human being
the sentence of death. There is
something horrible about it and the
mind Of the court naturally revolts
such duty. Happily, however, your
case is relieved Of all such unpleas-
sst features and the court takes posi-
tive delight in sentencing you to
death.
"You are young man, Jose Maria
Martin, apparently Of good physical
constitution and robust health. Or
dinarily you might have looked for
ward 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 off
on account of your own act. Jose
Maria Martin, it is now the spring
time; in little while the grass Will
be springing up green in these bea /
tiful valleys and on these broad
mesas and mountainsides flowers Will
be blooming; birds will be singing
their sweet carols and nature Will be
putting ON her most gorgeous and
her most attractive robes, and lite
will be pleasant and men will want
to stay; but none Of this for you,
Jose Maria Martin; the flowers will
not bloom for you, Jose Maria Mar
tin; the birds will not carol for you,
Jose Maria Martini; 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 will 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 at 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, Gomez"
"NIarch %, your honor.'
every well, until Friday, the 22nd
day of March, when you will be TAX
en- by the sheriff from your place
Of confinement to some safe and con-
venient spot within the county-that
is in your discretion, Mr.. Sheriff;
you are only confined to the limits
Of the county-and that you there be
hanged by the neck until you are
dead, and the court was about to
add, Jose Maria Martin, may God
have mercy on your soul, but the
court will not assume the RESPONSE
bility Of asking an all wise Prou-
d'enee to do that which jury Of your
peers has refused to do. The Lord
couldn't have mercy on your soul.
"However, if you affect any reigl-
Gus belief or are connected with any
rt!!elous organization it might be
we'll 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 to
place no reliance upon anything Of
that kind. Mr.. Sheriff. remove the