Gunnison news-champion., 1923-11-16
North Colo. Range
Men Convicted

Contrary 70 the expectation OF
p-etators Of the trial. four range
rgen Of the Blue Mountain region In
Northwestern Colorado. who we're ac-
used Of conspiracy to keep out set
'rrs, and tined last week in the fed
"ral court II Grand Junction. were
'HlHd guilty BY the jury.
In reporting the result, the Grand
Junction News says:
We, the jury, find the defendants,
William Jones, David karrenS. Jr-.
frank Berry and Ray James guilty as
cEarged and recommend the lenieney
~ the court IN the case Of Ray james. :
What have each Of you to say be-
t0re receiving sentence >" asked L. s.
Distinct Judge r. Blake kennedy.
Ask for Light Sentence
Your honor, am innocent. |
have wife and child; will you please
make my sentence as light as pos
sible ," said David Karrens, JT.-
Two other prisoners at the bar
made practically the same plea and
then Uncle Billy Jones. the veteran
u Indian wars. former associate OF
Custer, Gordon and other Indian
lighters, made an urgent plea
Tears rained down the old mans
cheeks.
Please, Judge, don't send these
Young men to Jail. have been there.
] have killed man. | have served
time. am still serving timc. Ny
life WAS ruined by my experience.
Please take me out and hang me.
but FOR Gods sake don't send these
young men 70 prison"
Judge Kennedy was yisibly affected,
and his voice was trifle husky as he
replied:
The jury found you men guilty
Of conspiracy. ] have no alternative
but 10 impose sentence. The maxi
mum In the case is 5000 and ten
years in a federal penitentiary. |
will heed your cases and appeals by
saying | do not intend to impose any
thing like the mammum sentences,
but the court must do his duty re
gardless Of circumstances.
William Jones. you will be taken
TO the federal prison to serve two
years and pay fine of 500: you,
Frank Berry, will receive n like SEN
tenoe; you. David karrens are sen
fenced for Is months and must pay
$50 fine, while you, Ray James, or
account Of the recommendation of the
jury, will be sentenced to one year
and one day in Leavenworth and pay
n fine of $50"
Immediately counsel for the de-
PENDANTS asked the court for stay
Of sentence while preparing for n new
trial. The court granted stay of
sentence of sixty days and the U. S.
marshal was Instructed 10 permit the
convicted men 20 stay in Grand juno
tion until they made bonds in the sum
Of $500 each for their appearance
before n federal tribunal at a later
date.
"One of the jurymen commenting
on the action of the jury after they
had reported, said: We decided that
il was time TO put stop to the war
fare between cattlemen and sheepmen
on this Western Slope, and We found
this the time to make an example o.
those found guilty"
During the interval between the
report of the jury and the actual
sentencing of the convicted men, the
four defendants mingled with their
friends in the corridors outside the
court room.
Each man expressed his surprise
and indignation. Each vented his
feeling against the witnesses who
had appeared againstthem.
Some sat stupifed. Others began
to ask court oicials if they might be
allowed to kiss their yves and child
ren goodbye before being taken TO
Leavenworth."