The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-11-07
LIEUT. BECKER
IS SENTENCED


OSSINING, n. Y Special
Charles Be, kcr. I'm charge OF
deputy sherifis, arrived at Sing
Sing ut 1885 this afternoon, from
Now York.
NEW YORK. Specal--Former
Lieutenant Charles Becker was
sentenced today TO die i'm the cleo
trio chair at Sing Sing, for the
murder of Herman RoSenthal,
during the week beginning De-
cember 9th.
BeC kcr had just left his wife
few minutes before in the Office
OF Sheriff hamburger, where there
was pathetic scene.
The condemned man gripped
his wife I'm his powerful arms and
for "a moment neither spoke.
After the sentence had been
passed Sheriff Hamburger began
preparations TO leave with Becker
for Sing Sing prison on the IL so
train. Five deputies were ordered
TO accompany the condemned
man.
Becker asked for ten days, In
which to wind up his affairs, but
the sheriff refused 20 grant this.
AAANOAhNg W. was
present as the representative OF
BECKER. Mr.. Mcintyre was not
present, having sent word that he
was too ILL to appear.
MIR. Hart presented a motion for
a new trial. but IL was OVcrruIcd
by the Justice.
Justice Con entered the court
room ut 1881 and Immediately
Clerk Charles Penny called out:
Charles Becker TO the bar"
Although Becker was Outwardly
calm, he showed traces of n sleep
less night His eyes were infiamed
and he showed nc was under high
nervous tension. But he held
himself as stlfliy erect as though
on parade when he stepped to
the bar.
Becker gazed steadily into the
eyes of Justice Con, never blink
ing, nor dropping his glance
The stiffness of death prevailed.
The corridors had been clear
ell and the crowd outside the
n dozen policemen.
Have you anything to say why
sentence should not be passed? ''
asked Justice Con.
Becker opened his lips 10 re-
ply, when Attorney Hart leaped
TO his feet and addressed the
court
He asked that sentence be de-
fcrred and made q motion for a
new trial. The motion WAS over
ruled, and Justice Con proceeded
TO impose sentence. 1t was a
dramatic moment and the tense
ness of the situation gripped all
alike.
SENTENCE PASSED.
Justice Con said:
Charles Becker, the Judgment
OF this court Is that you, Charles
Becker for the murder I'm the
first degree of one Herman RO.
senthal, whereof you are convict.
cd be, and you hereby are SEN
fenced TO the punishment OF
death. And IL Is ordered tina
within ten days after this day,
session OF this court, the sheriff
of the county of New York de
liver you with the warrant o.
this court TO the agent anC
warden OF the State prison "A
Sing Sing, where you shall b,
kept In solitary confineInent until
the week beginning December y
1919, and upon some day within
that week, so Afforded, the sale
agent and warden of the Stat,
prison OF New York Mt Sing Sinl
As commanded TO execute you
Charles Becker. I'm the mode ans
manner prescribed by the law o
New York State"
Becker never moved his eve.
as his doom thus was sealed.
The condemned man showet
his first sign OF weakening whel
Deputy Sheriff Carroll, after sen
tence had been imposed, startet
to slip new, shiny pair OF hand
cuffs over Bccker's wrists. Beck
er dropped his eyes, his cheek
Redeemed and n tremor paSse,
through his massive form.
A deep sigh, heard by thos
around him, escaped from hi
Inns. Then he braced himself
squared his shoulders and ono
more looked the court squared
I'm the eye.
Sherin Hamburger was the
given official charge of the pris
oner. As ne led Becker from tn
room Attorney Hart said ne want
ed 60 speak with his client, bu
was told ne would have TO 20 Z
the sherifT's office If he wishe
TO do so.
Becker walked so brislxIy froT
the room that ne almost STUN
bled over the heels OF two depu
ties walking In front. As ne cam
in view OF his wife ne smiIel
but she did not see him. Sh
was holding "A handkerchief bt
fore her eyes.
The prisoner walked so rapid
through the corridor TO til
sbeif1's office that tho deput
who was handcufTed to him coul
hardly keep up.