Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1922-05-26
Three Marderers Convicted.

After the elapse of three days the trial
of Maurice Nokes. Clarence Pinkett and
Irene Baker. all colored. closed late on
Thursday afternoon Of last week in the
Circuit Court here. The public expected
that not more than day would be en-
ployed in the trial. as the facts obtained
pointed so plainly to the conviction of the
persons charged with the killing Of Frank
Baker.
In the opening address to the jury, which
was obtained from the body Of jurymen
selected to serve for the March term and
without a talesman. States Attorney Daw-
son recounted all the circumstances in
connection with the murder. as follows
That Baker was prosperous colored man,
who had possessed himself Of real and per-
sonsl property largely in value above that
Of any Of his contemporaries in the vicin-
ity Of Edwards Ferry. this county. where
he and his family. consisting Of a wife and
three children, resided; that on the 3rd
Of December. 1921. he retired to his sleep
ing room for nights rest 10 the early
hours Of the evening that Irene Baker.
his wife. Nokes and Pinkett conspired to
take his life: that they did so about 8
o'clock; that Nokes was her brother and
came from Virginia with his fellow-con-
spirator; that they agreed that she should
60 to bed with her husband and later get
up and commit the deed with an ak that
was to be placed just outside the door OF
the room occupied by her and her hus-
band; that she obtained the ak and struck
her husband two blows with II on the side
Of the head; that her nerve then gave out
and she so told Pinkett, who was in another
room awaiting the finish Of the crime that
Pinkett took the ak and gave Baker another
blow which finished his life; that Nokes
in the meantime remained on the outside
Of the house with gun In hand to protect
his w-conspirators If 1t became neces-
sary to do 50; that the two men placed
Bakers dead body on a plank and fastened
II with rope; that Pinkett at the river
stripped himself. swan to the middle Of
the river and therein dumped Bakers body I;
that Nokes and Pinkett returned to the
house, gathered up the bloody clothing and
also dashed it into the river; that the
conspiratcrs accounted TO public inquiry
for Bakers disappearance by saying that
be had gone to Virginia after a still for
the purpose Of making whiskey; that
Bakers body was not seen again for three
months. when 1t was found by Major Lowe
fastened in the water near Seneca.
These circumstances had been secured
through the confession Of the three crimi-
mails, when they were separately arrested
and charged with the committal Of the
crime.
Irene Baker, Nokes and Pinkett testified
In their own behalf and their testimony
was in agreement with their confessions,
except Irene Baker assumed with an un-
shakened nerve the responsibility for the
killing and Pinkett and Nokes denied all
connection with the killing.
The case was ably argued by Mr.. Daw-
son for the State. the burden of whose
speech was contention for murder in the
first degree. time and time again reiterated,
differently phrased in each reference there
to, until the desired impression on the
minds Of the jury became indelible. The
effort was successful.
Mr. John A. Garrett appeared for the
prisoners and very ably and adroitly did he
plead for the life Of those which was intrust-
ed to him, claiming that the killing had been
! In self-defense. because Of threats made
by Baker against the life Of his wife and
-aorrible cruelty in general toward her and
er children
The jury was out for conference but a
w minutes before II returned verdict OF
murder in the first degree against the three
risoners charged with the crime.
Nr H7-r.st then arose from his seat and
lds en- eloquent sppoa' - the Court to
gus ne ne o. lfsne Dassr a number %
heea feiat.s ,ourt audibly solbsd
Boa acnvulsiyo sosinw
iaf Court--three judges returned 70 Jhe
curl room aiicr retirement Coz 1ml
nnG.es. and psssei sentence Oh the c0n-
cited prisoners. line swo uaies received
oath sentences, and await the day Of
Eecution to be set by Governor Richie.
le woman was extended mercy. which is
thin the discretion Of the Court and
mes to il through the wisdom Of leeis-
tive enactment. She was sentenced to
e imprisonment.
The two men will be hanged in the jail
lrd in this county. The last Legislature
lssed law directing that executions in
is State shall take place at the State
snitentiary. becoming effective on Janu-
y1,192S. For this reason the conspirators
no took the life Of Baker do not come
thin the provisions Of the late Act, hay-
been convicted in May preceding.