Evening star., 1931-12-23
Given Maximum Penalties for
lmprisoning Child Four
Years in Closet.
APPEAR INDIFFERENT
TO COURTS DECISION
Stepmother May Go to Anderson
Prison-Father Likely to Be
Taken to Lorton.

Mrs. Elsie NJ. Riley and her husband
Harry. convicted last week Of cruelty TO
Rlley's l2-year-oId daughter Edith. bv
a former marrisgo. received maximum
sentences today of two years in peni-
tentiaries and were ordered to pay fines
of $3.50 each.
justice F. D. Let's of Criminal DiW-
sion 2, District Supreme Court, pro-
nounced the sentences after describing
the case as revolving to the common
sense of justice"
The father and Stepmother OF Edith,
who is recovering at GaIlinger Hospital
from the effects Of four-year incar-
ceration in a dark bath room closet In
the Riley home at ITO Rhoda Island
avenue. took their sentences with the
same air Of indifference as they had
displayed during their two-day trial last
week. Upon being led to the cell room
in the basement of the Court House.
however, Mrs. Riley began weeping and
ner husband attempted TO console her.
Case Is First Called.
Brought into court from the District
Jail few minutes after 10 O'Clock this
morning the RIleys took seats next to
each other within the inclosure sur
rounding the justices bench. Theirs
was the first case called after a tria'
scheduled for today had been post
poned
Elsie Riley, have you anything TO
say as TO why sentence should not be
imposed upon you at this time?" asked
the clerk
The stepmother nodded her head In
the negative and the question was re-
peated to Riley. who also nodded no.
Justice Let's then began his remarks.
preliminary TO pronouncing sentence.
Relatives Called Judge.
Before passing sentence" he began
I wish to say that relatives of Mrs
Riley have called me on the telephone
and have been at my Office to intercede
for the defendants. 1t is my opinion
that matters Of this sort should properly
be left 10 the court room and if any of
the Riley relatives are present here
today I wish that they would step for
ward and present their case"
When no one came forward the
justice continued:
1T hardly seems to me that it is
evidence upon which these convictions
rest. 1t is an extremely strange case,
unusual in all its aspects.
Since the Rileys have not sought 70
explain matters in the case and as testi-
mony against them has not been refuted,
l must, therefore. assume that the
charges made in the indictment are
true. And 1 must now 90 the duty
which evolves upon me of pronouncing
sentence.
Wife Dominated Home.
Sometimes it is believed that the
husband is the dominating factor in
the home It has been quite clear
in this case that any presumption that
Mr.. Riley has been dominant has not
been borne out. The evidence clearly
shows she Mrs Riley has been the
dominating factor.
But this does not excuse Mr.. Riley
in any way. 1t was his flesh and blood
concerned. and every sense IN the
theory of law that makes one liable as
an abettor applies here.
No evidence has been introduced to
show that he did anything to save the
child from the indlgnitleS WAlCh she
suffered. The evidence in this case is
so conclusive and so revolving to the
common sense Of justice entertained by
ordinary persons with respect to the
care of children that I must mete out
the full measure of punishment as pre-
scribed by law.
Gives Maximum Penalty.
1T is the judgment of the court.
therefore. that each of these defend
ants should receive the maximum
penalty and I hereby direct that each
shall serve two years in a penitentIary
and pay a fine Of $3.50"
The couple were led from the court
room to a cell room below and later
returned to the jail. What peniten-
tiaTies they will be sent to has vet
to be determined by the Justice De-
partment. However, it appeared likely
today that Riley would be sent to Lor-
tor Va, the Districts penal institu-
ton. while his wife would be taken TO
the Federal institution for women at
Anderson, W. Va.