Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1920-08-06
MEN SENTENCED
FOR BIC THEFT
Senator Brown Makes Plea
For CIemency, But Plea for
Postponement Is Denied.
PLEA MADE FOR T0NGHINI
Believes He Is Innocent, Feel
ing of Respect Held IN
Perth Amboy for Him.
PLEA MADE FOR ToNGHlNl

By STAN Correspondent
NEW BRUNSWICK. Aug 8.
Ernest Tonghini and Frank Jersey.
the two men convicted on charge
of robbing the Roessler g. Hasslachef
Chemical company OF $4,000 worth
OF platinum, were this morning sem
fenced by Judge Peter f.. Daily.
Tonghini was sentenced to the Ral1
way reformatory for the full terH
prescribed by law. while Jersey was
sentenced to states prison for a term
not to exceed seven years and MOI
less than three years
Senator Thomas Brown. counsel
for the defense. in opening his appeai
to the court for leniency, stated fha<
he did not know the men were to hz
sentenced today until an hour before
the opening of court. and for thai
reason asked for a postponemenf ol
the sentence. This, however. was
denied by Judge DAILY. The de-
PENDANTS counsel stated that JerseF
had a good reputation about PERTH
Amboy, but that he was Handicapped
by different things all through life
in his attempt to make good
The senator stated that there was
good in the man. and that he treat
ed his parents in a kind way The
defendants counsel told OF Jerseys
father buying a farm for $700 Ia
Plainfield. so that the defeudaut's
mother might live on ii. and that a.
present she is IN a dying condI-jou
The counsel stated that IL Is e Qut<-
tion whether they took the piatir-
um, and that in passing Sentences
consideration should be taken. and
that the sentence should be based
on the reported amount
In regard to Tonghini. seua<or
Brown stated ne believed that this
defendant was not guilty. but IL u
was guilty IL was due to his boy
] ishuess. partly due to the WtiSI<&N
busihess he was mixed in. giving fi19
the belief that the robbery would Be
an easy money affair. The coun<4s
stated that he believed ninety pt*
cent. of the people of Perth Amboz
would sign a petition proelaiminz
Tonghini decent sort of chap
The defendant counsel stated tha;
he had secured Tonghini's honorab'l
discharge from the army. and in re-
gard to the Defendants policeman
brother, who was also in the arms
and overseas. the senator stated tha'
whiskey being in the cellar. Ths
counsel stated that Ernest Tongh1nil
gambling life started in the army
Judge Daily before passing sent.
ence on the men,. stated that burg.
larry had been committed, and whii+
it is not the worst crime. it Is pretty
bad. The men entered at night IN
tending to steal. and IN their at.
tempt might have caused death e
any inhabitant of the building Tht
Judge cited a case in Metuchen q
some time ago, where a building haI
been entered. frightening a woman
and she died later from the effects.
The court stated that the waits
of the material would not have arS
effect on the sentence. and that there
was no evidence showing the anouni
of loot taken. In regard to the de-
| PENDANTS counsel not knowing of
the sentence. and no petition being
made, he would govern the sentences
by his own heart and mind He
stated he was glad that Tonghinis :
honorable discharge had been Sc
cured, and that the defendant:
boyishness had caused him TO forge
the training secured in the army.
Judge DAILY stated that he per
sonally believed Ernest Tonghini was
not guilty, but that he would b<
governed by the action of the jury.
The judge stated that he believes
TonghiHi viii make good. and there
fore sent him to full term in Rah-
way (thirteen months)- In regard
TO Jersey the court did not say vers
much, but stated that Jersey had
already served term in RAILWAY.
and was thirty-one years old. He
was therefore sent to states prison
for term OF not less than threE
years and not more than sever
/ years.