At the Mercy of TiberiusEvans, Augusta J. (Augusta Jane)
History
At the Mercy of Tiberius
Evans, Augusta J. (Augusta Jane)
Rome -- History -- Tiberius, 14-37 -- Fiction
"We the jury, in the case of the State against Beryl Brentano, find
defendant not guilty as charged in the indictment; but guilty of
manslaughter in the first degree; and we do earnestly commend her to
the mercy of the Court."
The girl staggered slightly, as if recoiling from a blow, and Mr.
Dunbar caught her arm, steadied her. The long pent tide of popular
feeling broke its barriers, and the gates of Pandemonium seemed to
swing open. Women sobbed; men groaned. In vain the Judge thundered
"Silence", "Order!" and not until an officer advanced to obey the
command, to clear the court-room, was there any perceptible lull, in
the storm of indignation.
Turning to the Judge, Mr. Dunbar said:
"In behalf of the prisoner, I most respectfully beg that the Court will
end her suspense; and render her return to this bar unnecessary by
promptly pronouncing sentence."
"Is it the wish of the prisoner, that sentence should not be delayed?"
"She wishes to know her fate."
She had uttered no sound, but the lashes trembled, fell over the tired,
aching, strained eyes; and lifting her locked hands she bowed her chin
upon them.
Some moments elapsed, before Judge Parkman spoke; then his voice was
low and solemn.
"Beryl Brentano, you have been indicted for the deliberate and
premeditated murder of your grandfather, Robert Luke Darrington. Twelve
men, selected for their intelligence and impartiality, have patiently
and attentively listened to the evidence in this case, and have under
oath endeavored to discover the truth of this charge. You have had the
benefit of a fair trial, by unbiased judges, and finally, the jury in
the conscientious discharge of their duty, have convicted you of
manslaughter in the first degree, and commended you to the mercy of the
Court. In consideration of your youth, of the peculiar circumstances
surrounding you, and especially, in deference to the wishes and
recommendation of the jury--whose verdict, the Court approves, I
therefore pronounce upon you the lightest penalty which the law affixes
to the crime of manslaughter, of which you stand convicted; which
sentence is--that you be taken hence to the State Penitentiary, and
there be kept securely, for the term of five years."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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