Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-03
INSISTS ON FACING
CHANCE OF DEATH
Youth ignores Attorney and
Risks All to Fight First De-
gree Murder Charge
"WlLl DO WHAT AUNT SAYS"

Thomas McHale. not yet nineteen
today voluntarily gambled his life
against his liberty. when he elected to
be tried for first degree murder for the
killing Of Nicholas Ostah, May 81,
1920, at Twenty second street and Col
lege avenue.
The youth insisted on facing a first
degree murder charge in spite OF the
argument of his attorney, John f. Nc
Clintock, r.. who told him he faced
at least the possibility OF being sem
fenced to death in the electric chair.
McHale might have entered n plea
OF guilty of second degree murder. had
he chosen to do so, with the promise
OF n sentence of twelve TO fifteen yeas
from the date of commitment, which
would have meant about ten years more
TO serve. Assistant District Attorney
Maurice Speiser said the Common
wealth would accept this plea.
The young defendant turned for ad-
vice to his aunt. Mrs. Mary Mnnley,
OF Fifteenth and stiles streets. She
advised him to face the charge rather
than accept the plea and go to prison
voluntarily.
"I'll do what my aunt tells me-
said the boy in answer to all argu-
ments.
Ready to Obey Her
Mrs. Hanley is the Youths only close
relative. and has taken the place of his
dead mother. He is devoted to her,
and II she is willing to have him risk
his life on the issue of tie case. the
boy is ready to abide by the decision.
Judge Patterson. before whom the
youth is being tried in Room 453. City
Hall. Immediately began the selection OF
q jury. The charges pressed against the
boy will be first degree murder.
Ostah was shot by one of an automo-
bile load of young hold-up men. John
+. Murray. another youth. is sewing a
term Of nineteen to twenty years for
second degree murder. Others to be
tried are James Mullaugh and Charles
J. Blum. Two more who may testify
against McHale are John Donohue and
will accept a second degree plea, II is
said, instead OF standing trial.
Before McHale's trial began this
morning Judge Patterson summoned the
Grand Jury for the January term and
administered the oath. James Mallon,
OF 1898 Market street, was sworn in as
foreman.
Set on Swift Justice
Judge PATTERSON announced the Board
Of Judges had decided to deal out swift
Justice this term Of court. in an effort
10 sweep back the crime wave.
Judge Patterson said: THE most i'm
portant duty called for by your oath
as grand jurors will be drawing up bills
Of indictment.
"a great wave Of crime has been
sweeping our city. The reason for il
has not been determined fully, but the
Board Of Judges of this county believes
speedy trials and justice swift and GER
tain will help to wipe it out here.
'"The Court asks The Grand Jurors TO
give the best that Is in them to rid the
city OF crime. and let the rest Of the
world know that a person committing
crime in Phi adelphia will meet with
swift punishment
In all six of the criminal courts.
which opened today for the first term Of
the new year, the same effort will be
mnde to administer justice that will be-
swift and sure, and as severe as the
crime warrants, preventive as well as
corrective. Three of the courts now
sitting are special murder courts. :"
The others are trying both bail and Jail
cases. The courts are confronted with
an extraordinary long list of 5000 bni
cases and 400 prison cases. They hope
to clear the docket speedily.