Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-10-26
FIX TERM OF
rs YEARS UPON
LEHMAN SLAYER
Robert J. MuIcahy Sentenced By
Judge w. T. Church In Cir
cult Court
SAYS PENALTY A LIGHT ONE
Declares 1t His Opinion That Mnr-
dered Policeman Was Beaten
With Blunt Instrument.

Robert J. Mulcahy, self confessed
murderer of Patrolman Harry Lib
man of the Rock Island police
force, was this morning given a
term of 25 years in the state peni-
Tertiary at Joliet Judge W. T.
Church in circuit court passed SEN
tence
On Saturday OF last week. Null
McCaskrin, changed his plea of not
guilty to one Of guilty before
Judge Church, thereby resting his
fate in the hands of the court
Upon Recommendation of States
Attorney Floyd E. Thompson, rs
years Of penal servitude was to-
day fixed as the penalty MuIcahy
must pay.
The accused man appeared white
and haggard as he was led before
the court to learn his doom. He
was perfectly self-possessed how
ever, and betrayed no nervousness
as with hanging head he awaited
final judgment According to the
deputy who brought Mulcahy into
the courtroom, the sentence proved
a hard blow, the accused man hop
ing for a term of IA years.
In fixing punishment Judge
Church said it was his opinion that
the prisoner did not mean to kill
his victim. The judge declared his
sympathy for the defendant and
stated that from available evidence
the deed was the elimination of a
series of unfortunate incidents.
Blunt Weapon Used.
81 am convinced, however, that
the murdered man was beaten with
some instrument other than your
fists" declared Judge Church. In
your confession before you knew of
the death of your victim, you as
serted that you struck him only
with your hands. From available
evidence, including the position
and posture of the patrolman's
body when found, l am led to be-
Iieve that you used some blunt in
strument in the assault
"A strong factor in the case is
the bottle of whiskey which you
had in your possession when in the
park on the night of the murder
1 am of the opinion that with your
mind inflamed by the liquor you
probably went further in the beat
ing of your victim than you intend
ed or realized.
These things do not lessen the
seriousness of the crime which you
have committed, however. 1t must
be considered that you removed
the husband, father and sole sup
port of a large family. For that |
you cannot be excused and punish !
nent should be severe.
Under the law, l may sentence |
you to prison for a term of IA
years. 1 may give you life impris-
l might consider you |
guilty of the charge of murder pre-
'erred against you and decide that
your life be the penalty which you /
should pay.
Under the circumstances, after
;areful study of the evidence in the
rhine which you have committed
consider that the minimum of Ia
ears is not enough. Neither am
of the opinion that you should
Jay with your life or be sentenced
o life Imprisonment.
Is Light Sentence.
THE deed that you have COM
nitted merits severe penalty,
md l decree that you be sent to
he state prison at Joliet for a
'eriod of % years. Considering
he crime and its effects, l am of
mind that this is a comparative
y light sentence.
Young man, l am sorry for you.
Jpon good behavior you may be
-iven your liberty within from five
o eight years Your case is al
Ways subject to review by the state
'oard of pardons.
Had you demanded a trial by
ury you might have been acquit-
ed. Again you might have been
ound guilty and given a life term.
7hile there is a chance that your
ife might have keen demanded.
IN the other hand you reversed
our plea of not guilty and left
our fate in the hands of the court.
Decision of the court you now
now"
With the exception of the self
onfessed slayer, newspaper men