The Hangman's Verdict: John Thompson Convicted of Murder in Snohomish

John Thompson. His Crime, Trial and Conviction.

From Mr. Sam: [H. Humphrey]

The rapidity and severity with which Julia Thompson was caught, tried and convicted of the murder of Samuel Bennett, at Snohomish on Sunday last, is something quite unprecedented in the history of Territorial governments. We have had trials by the circuit court of Judge Lewis, but none brought to a formal conclusion with greater haste than this.

On Sunday night a man received a mortal wound; the pill having Friday his slayer is convicted and ordered to appear for sentence the following day.

THE ALLEGED MAN Was a native of Yorkshire, England, and had resided in this portion of the Territory about two years. He had bought a neat little farm to which he proposed bringing his wife and children as soon as he had amassed the necessary money. It did not appear in evidence that the deceased had acted in any other capacity than that of peace-maker. An attempt was made to show that he had struck Thompson, but was not supported by the testimony of other witnesses.

THE CONVICTED CRIMINAL Is a native of Wales, about 43 years of age, as we should judge from a personal inspection of him. His figure is slight, though he may be very und active, yet he is the last man we should pick up as a fighting character. His weak, watery blue eyes; his yellow hair and beard and stooping figure, all mark the man of undecided character. It is said by those who knew him at Newcastle, that he was a timid man and allowed men to bully over him till at last he grew desperate and drove them off with a weapon.

THE WITNESSES Colin Bennett, the man with whom Thompson was fighting when he received his death wound; also Dr. G. A. Wood, Geo. W. Tilson, Wm. Duncan, Gen. J. Littlefield and John Hamilton and his wife. Their testimony went to show that Bennett received one cut from Thompson on the wrist, and another across the fingers. They also established the fact that nearly five hours had elapsed between the fight over the card table and the slaying of Perry on the railroad truck. The testimony of Dr. Wood was to the effect that the wound looked as if made with some dull instrument.

FOR THE DEFENSE Francis Blundell, P. Welsh, J. Griffin, Antoine Marks, Dr. Hughes and the prisoner were all examined, but their testimony failed to exculpate the prisoner. It is a strange fact that several witnesses for the prisoner stated matters which evidently hurt the prisoner's cause; while one or two of them for the prosecution made statements calculated to mitigate his fault. This was particularly noticeable in the testimony of Lambert.

The integrity and pertinacity of the prisoner's counsel, Messrs. Blundell and Anderson, who did all in their power to save him, reflects great credit on them. It was after nine o'clock Friday night when THE JURY CHAMBER was declared to the jury and they retired for deliberation.

THE VERDICT REACHED Was delivered to the jury and they returned a verdict of 'Guilty of murder in the first degree.' The foreman responded in the affirmative and handed the document to his Honor. A slight expression of surprise ran through the crowd as the Chief Justice read off the verdict, 'Guilty of murder in the first degree.'

SENTENCING THE MURDERER It was set down for three weeks on Friday, the 30th of March, when John Thompson was led in to waive sentence. His Excellency pulled but no more than usual. The room was densely packed and the air was stifling as the counsel entered the bar chamber and the court sat silent.

The court then said, 'John Thompson, you have been convicted of the crime of murder. Your counsel has given every sign of motion for a new trial.'

Mr. Blundell: 'Your Honor, I am ready to make my motion but my bill of exceptions is not yet ready.'

Judge Lewis: 'Your bill of exceptions has passed for the time being. Your motion for new trial are now in order.'

Mr. Blundell then read his motion to the effect that the court committed several prejudicial errors; that legally the defendant had been excluded, and that evidence of alibi which against the defendant was part of the evidence, had been rejected by the witness.

THE SENTENCE GIVEN Said the court: 'The court overrules the motion of the defendant. John Thompson, stand up. You have been convicted by an intelligent and impartial jury of the crime of murder. You have had able and intelligent counsel who have done all in their power to exculpate you from the hand of guilt that would crush you. Have we anything to say why the sentence of death, as provided by our annals as a punishment for the crime of murder, should not be passed upon you?'

THE DEFENDANT SPEAKS With maturity and firmness: 'Your Honor, I plead guilty of committing a breach of the Sabbath and keeping bad company. But I have been a poor man of good habits; this might not have happened; but as for shedding the blood of my fellow man I did not mean to do it.' Here the prisoner sat down and the Judge began to read to him a resume of the evidence in the case and to recapitulate the events attending the crime. He then said 'the statute provides that the punishment for the crime of murder is death. You are now before the mercy of courts and human tribunals devised for the prevention and punishment of crime. It is the sentence of this Court that on Friday, the 30th day of March next, you be taken from your cell to the jail yard of the Snohomish Jail and then and there, between the hours of 10 A.M. and 2 P.M., you be hanged until you are dead; and may the Almighty God show unto you that mercy which you denied to your unfortunate victim.' The prisoner merely said 'this is not justice,' and manifested no other emotion.