Policy Sentencing

Walter Garwood, Harriett Smith, William Parker and Washington Ketline, were then called up for sentence for policy writing. Harry S. Scovel plead for leniency in the cases of Garwood, Parker and Mrs. Smith. Garwood, he said, had never before been convicted. Neither had Parker. In the latter's case the jury disagreed and Parker then plead guilty. In the case of Harriet Smith Mr. Scovel said that though she had previously been convicted she was a widow depending entirely on her own efforts for her support. She had plead non vult contendre and as Mr. Scovel thought a woman ought to go to State Prison only on serious crimes he plead for mercy for his client. The Court was by no means inclined to be lenient, however. Judge Vroom sentenced Garwood and Ketline to one year each at hard labor and $100 fine, while Mrs. Smith and Parker were each sentenced to one year in State Prison. In sentencing the defendants, Judge Vroom said, the Court had decided to break up policy dealing in this city. Lawyer J. J. Crandall, for Washington Ketline, then came before the court with a writ of error. Pending the writ the court decided to hold Ketline in $1000 bail. Joseph Swing, who said he owned the house No. 509 Taylor avenue, valued at $1000 and upon which there is a $[?]00 mortgage, and John Cochran, who swore he owned property at 243 Pine street, appeared as bondsmen, but the court refused to accept them. Lawyer Crandall said he had another in reserve, but he had not appeared with the other bondsman when court adjourned.