Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-05-12
EIGHT YEARS IN
PRISON CELL FOR
ROBERT N. PETTY
Convicted Bank President SEN
fenced by Judge Reiistab
Makes No Comment.
HIS LAWYER PLEADS
FOR MERCY OF COURT
But Latter Scores Acts of
Prisoner-Letters for
Pardon Courts.

Eight years in the State prison at
Trenton is the sentence imposed upon
Robert M. Petty, bank president and
trolley magnate, of Washington. N.
j.. found guilty on twenty-five counts
of misappropriating the funds of the
Washington National Bank.
Petty received the sentence in 81
lence His face was expressionless,
and he made no comment as the SEN
tence of the court was passed upon
him.
After United states Attorney John
3. vreeiand had moved for the SEN
tence of the prisoner Petty's counsel,
Sylvester r. Smith, made valiant
plea for clemency.
He. pointed out the fact that Petty
had received no personal benefit from
the transactions, and said he was
working for the interest of the troll
ley company when he sold the bonds.
"He has been a leading citizen of
Washington for many years. and was
always active in public enterprises.
He had the public benefit in mind
more than his personal gain at all
times" said the counsel.
HE engaged in a business that was
benefit to the community. and I am
sorry to say took chances that he
should not have taken
THE money he took he did not use
for speculative purposes or for his
personal use. 1t all went into the
business for the benefit of the pub
lic."
Judge Asks Question.
At this point Judge Rellstab inter-
rupted the attorney to ask if the en-
terpirses had been successful would
not Petty have benefited q eatly.
"Of course he would have bene-
fited,p the attorney replied, "but he
did not have in mind any get-rich-
quick scheme which very often marks
the crimes of bank defaulters,
This man was not conscious of
personal wrong He did not know
that he would wreck the. hank.
The attorney then asked the Judge
to consider numerous letters which
had been sent to him by the citizens
Of Washington and patrons of the
bank
Mr. vreeland called the judges at
tention to the fact that there were
twenty-five counts in the indictment
and that the maximum penalty was
ten years on each count.
Court Expresses sympathy.
you see the position you have
brought yourself into, Petty said
Judge Rellstab before passing SEN
tence on him.
"I sympathize with you and with
your family more. Punishment al
ways falls on others with greater
severity. You occupied position of
trust and influence in the city of
Washington until you aspired to the
presidency of the national bank
there.
1T was a great mistake when you
became president of the bank. You
do not seem the kind of man that
ought to be placed at the head of a
banking institution.
Congress has shown how it regards
an act of which you have been found
guilty by placing minimum penalty
of five years for it, That is done to
prevent a light sentence. You occu-
pied a position of trust and the law
puts heavy hand on trustees when
they go wrong.
II have the letters which your fell
low citizens have sent to me, and
they speak well of you, but | must
consider the record The Court of
Pardons may consider those letters.
1.-The sentence of this court is that
you spend eight years in the New
Jersey State prison.
Petty was indicted for his alleged
chickering's with the money of his
bank and the bonds of the North
hampton, Easton and Washington
Traction Company, of which concern
he was a director.
1t is charged that he sold bonds be-
longing to the company which had
been placed in the bank and applied
the money to his own use, and that
he transferred money from the COM
pany's account in his bank to his own
personal account without checks or
without authority.
The indictment charges the embez-
element of about $4,000. The bank
was declared insolvent on November
1e, with Liabilities of $2s6.0o6