Norwich bulletin., 1917-10-30
WILLIM1ANrTIC'

gfneny business men of the community are working in his favor. The cap- tain fof kas company has asked that he be- placed on probation and then el- | lowed to return to the army, where he iS Sxtn occupy tho same position as he had before being taken out Of 1t. He has stsqvn that he is man by enlist ing. and he may be called at any time to leave this country, never to return end never to see his parents again. wish tAat hs be given a chance to re-
 dseDe. Ii, nseit and if he does. not take 4his .fharce, let the court take it's
 x state,s Attorney Hoard.
 4 sStme's Attorney searls said: There Pisiro,S doubt in the justice o1 the yer
 dict. of the jury, the young man is
 guilty and the only question now be-
 fore the court is to the extent Of the fuatfon is peculiar; recognise the
 merits of the volunteer enlistment. but to allow him to go would establish a
 drference between a man In the army
 and a a.eivilian. There Is a strong cur
 rent of public opinion in his neigh
 borhQod in his favor. Although I am
 in favor of the man, cannot bring myself to be- in favor of the accused s
 attorriey on jaI sentence of one year
 with him placed on probation and all
 lowed to enter the army. This would
 establish a precedent which might be
 used again and I cannot favor 1t. I
 do not ask for a severe nor cruel
 punishment neither do want a states prison sentence enforced, as this is the
 voting: mans first offense.
 -.~ Losses Would Be Made Good.
 Mir. Douglass took. the floor again.
 saying that the jewelry firm stands neutral and will be fully satisfied with whatever sentence this court imposes.
 Before this case was tried. l realized the extraordinary circumstances of the case. I7went to MT. searls and talked of reimbursing the losers for the s1olen articles but this offer was declined, as he favored a conviction. MT. Melvin was given to understand that he will be reimbursed for his 1oss- es.
 Judge Reed imposes Sentence.
 Just as the town clock was striking eleven o'clock, Judge Reed said to the assused, Stand up!" He then spoke as follows:
 The embarrassment of the situation has been transferred from the court to a sentence upon you. You have been found guilty after fair and exhaus- tive trial with able counsel defending you. A sentence must be imposed by law for the punishing of crime and it Is situation which I would like to avoid. A jury has found you guilty of the theft of $270 worth of jewelry, the figures probably being suggested Dy your counsel. The story or your connection in the case, you will admit, sounds improbable. You are an in telligent young man and you should have known better. take into consid- eration this is your first offense and hope that 1t is the last one. I haven't looked at the petitions, in general, which was prepared by your friends in your home town and don't care to. Sentiment in your favor asks for Jail sentence, but don't want to sen- tence you to state prison and I don't want to allow you to go free. If you are placed on probation, you will enter the army, but this action will have a bad effect on this country.
 t''I have balanced up the circum- stances and have decided on a sen- tence which will be fair to you and to the public, which the courts repre- sent. You will be punished and your friends will be punished. although they don't deserve it. impose a sentence 3f nine months in the county Jail, without probation"
 When sentence was imposed King swayed slightly but caught himself l md sat down with some friends who l 'at near him.
 He was taken to Brooklyn jail about | 1.3O by Deputy Sheriff FitIs. Court | adjourned at HOS.