Evening star., 1932-07-11
CURTIS GETS YEAR
AND FINE OF $1,000
Boat Builder Sentenced in
kidnapping Hoax-WiiI
Take Appeal.
Continued From First Page.)

which counsel shouted back and forth.
Judge Adam O. Robbins ruled that
these points already had been passed
on and denied the motion.
Lloyd C. Fisher. chief counsel for
Curtis, showed that Curtis had never
had any contact with the kidnapers.
He was just d man with wild dreams
about boats and things" he said
This statement came as complete
surprise because the defense stand dur
ing the trial seemed to be that Curtis
had been in touch with the real kid
napers and had done everything pos
sible to help obtain return of the baby
and capture of the kidnapers.
Curtis was arrested after he signed
a confession that all his negotiations
were a hoax, but later he repuciated
this confession. and when the trial
opened the State accepted the repudia-
ton and based its charges on the ale
with the kidnapers and then had pre-
vented their capture by the hoax
confession.
Saws Curtis was Goat"
In arguing for arrest Of judgment.
Fisher said Curtis had been maze the
goat" because he was honest enough
to come within the States jurisdiction" :"
Prejudice is the only reason John
Hughes Curtis sits there convicted he
said I'VE plead for mercy. The jury
urged mercy. Only John Hughes
Curtis. the goat, is tried. Thousands
of clues and letters were received, eut
none were charged with obstructlng
justice. He is charged because ne was
honest enough to come within the
States jurisdiction"
After the motion for arrest OF Jucg-
ment was denied Prosecutor Anthony
Hauck recommended. in view OF the
iury's plea for mercy, that Curtis be
sentenced to two years in State Prison
and a fine of $1,000.
In an impassioned plea to the court
before sentence was imposed, Fisher
dWelt at length upon his assertion that
prejudice had caused Curtis conviction.
He said that Curtis was tried lin a
court room stepped with prejudice IN
which the most famous man in the
country, Col. Charles A. Lindbergh, sat
throughout the trial
1T all worked out beautifully" he
shouted, they brought in the verdict
wanted"
Fisher also said that one OF the
Jurors, after the verdict was handed
IL,
guilty. but that new trial would have
cost the State $4,000 This was the
Juror who through several ballots held
out for acquittal, but who finally agreed
to join the other members of the Jury
in a verdict of conviction on the stlpu-
lation that a recommendation Tor
Clemency be included,
Defendant Calm at Bar.
AS soon as arguments were concluded
Curtis was called to the bar, where he
faced Judge Adam o. Robbins without
apparent nervousness.
You have been convicted by jury
Of committing a misdemeanor." said
Judge Robbins. 1T now becomes my
unpleasant duty to impose sentence.
In my 10 years of experience I have
never given a sentence so much con-
sideration and thought
The jury recommended mercy.
There is evidence that you are re-
spectable citizen but these matters can
not sway the court. I sentence YOU to
serve one year and pay a fine of 1000"
Curtis then returned to the defense
counsel table. where he sat with folded
arms while defense and prosecution at
cuss details of appeal.
Fisher Immediately launched into an
argument in favor of new trial for
Curtis, but Prosecutor Hauck protested
that such an argument could not be
given in the county court, but IN the
appellate court. Judge Robbins denied
the motion.
Fisher then announced that he would
seek appeal in the regular manner by
going to a higher court. He had earlier
announced that he would not seek ap-
peal at all if the sentence consisted OF
nothing but a fine.
After sentence was imposed. the ques
tion was raised of issuance of certlf1-
cate of reasonable doubt permitting
Curtis to be released on bail pending
appeal. Procedure in such matter
has been changed during the past year
and a recess was taken for discussion
of the proper course to be followed
Counsel went into the judges cham
bers and Curtis remained at the de-
fense table.
In arguing for a new trial, Fisher
said "the best lead in the Lindbergh
kidnap ping case is in an Army canton
ment," but he did not elaborate on the
statement.
Bail Fixed at $4,000.
Later Fisher said bail had been fixed
at $4,000 and Judge Robbins would
issue the certificate Of reasonable doubt
to permit Curtis release under bond.
Curtis went back to his cell and
Fisher said he did not know yet
whether bail would be provided.
Judge Robbins issued the certificate
of reasonable doubt and signed the
writ Of error which sends the case to
the Supreme Court.
Fisher said he would get in touch
with Curtis friends in Norfolk Va and
try to arrange to have bail supplied in
q day or two. .-..-.-