Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-06-15
MEANS SENTENCED
TO 15-YEAR TERM
Two Penalties to Run ConSec.
utiveIy-Attorney Valves
New Trial Move.

CASTOR B. Means, convicted of steal
Ing slO4,O00 from Mrs. Evalyn Walsh
Mclean in the course of a fantastic
attempt to ransom the kidnapped Lind
bergh baby, was sentenced TODAY to
serve Is years in the penitentiary.
In imposing the sentence, Justice
James M. Proctor, who presided at the
trial in District Supreme Court, told
Means he had Ca pitalized the sweetest
sentiment of the human heart"
A master of his emotions throughout
the days of the trial, Means was visibly
affected and frequently mopped his
perspiring face with an enormous hand
kerchief as he stood and listened to
the courts calm, but scathing denuncia-
ton of his crime
Planned to Get More.
The verdict of the jury in this case.
when We have in mind the evidence and
the counts on which you were found
guilty" Justice Proctor said, can con-
vey to the court only that in the opinion
of the jurors the defendant is guilty
Of having devised this scheme to steal
the money at the outset and that this
intention continued throughout the
negotiations. The evidence also showed
that he was laying plans to obtain S35,-
600 more and only failed through the
difficulty experienced by Mrs. Mclean
in getting the money.
The Lindbelgh case has revealed not
only the most tender sentiments OF the
human heart, but also the most sordlo
and depraved element which control
some human beings. 1t brought out all
the best in the hearts of men, and also
used as an opportunity by some to dis
play the weakness and wickedneSS of
human nature.
But 1 am not judging the guilt of
Means-the jury has done that after
an unusually fair trial. Their verdict
reveals this defendant to have CAPT.
talized the sweetest and most tender
sentiments Of the human heart, and
also the baSest. He not only most
cleverly played upon the sympathies Of
Mrs. Mclean. but apparently, without
the slightest pride. did not hesitate to
boast of his criminal record-his con-
facts with the underworld-that he
sent one man out of penitentiary re-
solved to 60 in for big crime-all with
no other thought than his own greed
his own vulgar desire for money"
Sentences Not Concurrent.
Means was sentenced to serve 10
years on the first count of the indict-
ment, which charged him with the
larceny of 100000. and to five years
on the second count. charging the
larceny of $4,000, the second penalty to
become effective after the first has been
served. The 100000 was given Means
as ransom money and the $4,000 as
expenses.
The sentence was imposed after
Means attorney, T. Morris Wampler,
had formally waived his right to file a
motion for a new trial.
This unusual step was taken because
of Justice Proctor's refusal to admit
Means to bail. Wampler said he would
Immediately file bill of exceptions
with the District Court of Appeals. A
motion to free Means on bail will be
heard by Justice Proctor at 10 O'Clock
tomorrow. The former Department
of Justice Investigator will not begin
serving his sentence until the appeal
has been disposed Of.
When asked if he had anything to
say before sentence was imposed.
Means replied: mo, sir. No, nothing"