Arizona republican., 1916-02-13
L|FE SENTENCE FUR EDWARDS
Minimum of Thirty Years Which Will Probably Amount to the Same as the MaXimum-Will Go to Florence Today

With impressive face H. G. Ed learned that he must pass at least the next thirty years in the state prison at Florence. The judgment of the court fixed minimum period o? thirty years and a maximum period of life. After pronouncing the sen
 tence Judge Stanford handed his
 written statement to the clerk who
 in turn passed it to Edwards He read it without flicker of an eye
 lid.
 Mrs. Edwards who remained in the>
 back of the court room throughout
 the proceedings was equally cool. The
 only one who evinced the least
 feeling was George Edwards. the
 eighteen year old son of the con-
 victed man who paced the corridor
 after hearing the sentence. T did not
 think it would D for so long a time
 lie said and there were tears in his
 tone. Later he visited his father in
 lis cell and Edwards asked that he
 might be permitted to see his other
 childrn bfore being sent to. Florence
 today.
 As early as one o'clock the court
 room was crowded. Shortly before
 ;:30 o'clock the prisoner in custody
 of Sheriff Jeff Adams and Deputy
 Jim Murphy entered the room. There was a decided hush followed by murmer of surprise> as it was noted that Edwards head was no longer handagcd. His face was slightly flushed and he made a better ap- pearance than at any time since his confinement in the county jail. He carried his tablet and as soon as his attorney, B. E. Marks arrived, began lively correspondence which lasted until the arrival of Judge Stanford and> County. Attorney Clyde M Candy and Assistant County Attorney Leon s. Jacobs, who represented the state. The court ordered Edwards to stand. He made a slight motion and as the judge repeated the request, | Sheriff Adams came to his assist I ance.
 HI. G. Edwards said Judge Stan i ford, the county attorney of thi" , county has returned against you an I information charging you with the | crime of rape; and to that informa I tion you have entered plea of guilty I to the crime charged and this is the l time set by the court for passing of sentence in your case; and I ask you ] if you have anything to say, or any | legal cause to show, why the judg- ! ment Of the court should not now be 1 pronounced. and it's sentence imposed 1 upon you? I have written out the 1 words I have just spoken which 1 re- l cues. the clerk to hand to Edwards 1 Edwards wrote that he had nothing 10 say.
 | MT Marks in behalf of his client 1 pleaded for mercy. He called the | courts attention to the fact that Ed | wards was not cOgniZant of what was 1 transpiring. He suggested that the court be fair, just and impartial and I not crush out the prisoners hope. The l offense had been committed some time | ago he argued and Edwards had re- | pented. Edwards has recently taken | unto himself wife, and she should 1 he considered, said MT. Marks as he | dSheu tlit COUIt uOl lO Dc dtluttcu py ] bitterness. hard feelings and malice in l imposing the sentence nor let public opinion influence him.
 | Judge StanfOrd's reply was brief. T irkave been careful not to let public opionion interfere with my duties
 he said and I would pass this same judgment were 1 to wait year." He | then sentenced the prisoner to the 1 :nderterminate sentence of not less 1 tran thirty years.
 l According to the marriage license lissued to Edwards and Mrs Martin
 on January 26, Edwards is 96 years
 old This however, is not believed | to be his correct age. When he se-
 cured the license he said. "I guess 1 man has to have an age, call mine 1 26.'' He is said to be over forty.