New Britain herald., 1924-05-06
Mrs. Cooney Had Hoped For Leniency But Judge Martin Says Such Crimes Cannot Go Unpunished.
Woman Goes to Auburn, Her Mate to Sing Sing Accepts Sentence Calmly and Writes Warning to Girls.

New York, May 6.--Mrs. Celia Cooncy, the famous bob haired bandit and her husband and partner in crime, Edward Cooney were sen- 1 fenced to serve from 10 to 20 years each in prison by County Judge Martin of Brooklyn today.
 Mrs. Cooney was sentenced to Au- burn prison and her husband to Sing Sing. They had pleaded guilty to a charge Of assault and robbery.
 Girl Appears Hopeful Tho young woman, who was arrest cd in Jacksonville Fla, with her hus- band on April el. held her head high as she walked into the court room to hear her sentence. Half an hour before she had told the jail warden she hoped Judge Martin would be lenient and that she and her husband could be sent to the same prison.
 Cooncy Is Sullen
 Cooney was sullen and watched his wife closely as the pair stood before the judge.
 Judge Martin addressed his remarks to the girl saying:
 Judges Sentence
 "1 have discussed your case with you in my chambers and you have told me about all the jobs you committed. have had a commission investifats the mental condition of both of you, You were sane and you are now. You must be taught that such acts as you committed cannot be committed in this community and go unpunished l send you both to prison for from ten to twenty years, you to Auburn and your husband 10 Sing Sing"
 Mrs Coney bit her lip, stood for a moment motionless and then turned slowly 10 glance at the spectators who lilled the little court room. Then pre- ceding deputy sheriff. she walked as briskly out of the chamber as she had entered few minutes before. Her husband followed a few paces be- hind.
 Promise Co Go Straight
 Judge Martin, conferring with the couple in his room before mounting the bench, had drawn from them the that they had participated in ten holdups The girl assured him that when she had done her time sho would Ego straight" Cooney was re- licent, but indicated that he seconded his wfe's resolution.
 When the judge had left his cham Der, Celia scribblcd the following note which she sent to Judge Martin by an attendant:
 Warning Co Girls
 "To those girls who think they would like 10 see their homes in the paper as mine has been or think they would like to do what 1 have done. ct me say: Don't try to do it. You ion't know what you suffer. While smile, my heart is breaking in me-"
 First "Job" in December
 More than seventeen holdups, most y in chain store groceries in Brook yn. were charged against the bob haired bandit and the tall male com who proved to be her hus- 'and. Their first job was last Decem- per; their last and biggest was on April ] when they attempted to rob ! Brooklyn warehouse Of the National Biscuit company. Nathan Mazzio, the lssitant cashier. was shot by Cooney when he tried to lift the veil worn by he girl.
 The couple then hurried to Florida y boat and were arrested at Jack onsille a few days after Mrs. Cooney lad given birth to a baby. The child lied. The Cooncys told detectives hat they had become robbers in oraas o prepare for the baby's comina.