A Mother's Plea for Her Son

Saved Arthur Gunong from a Severe Sentence.

She Said He Is Insane

And That It Was Hereditary

Pros. Att'y. Kirk Took No Stock in It.

It was a mother's plea to the Court for mercy on behalf of her son that saved Arthur Gunong, Alias Stark, a full ten years sentence for attempt at rape, before Judge Kinne yesterday.

"We find the defendant guilty and recommend him to the mercy of the Court," announced Foreman Schott.

"I would move the Court that immediate sentence be passed upon the defendant." said Prosecutor Kirk.

Judge Kinne:—"What have you to say to that, Mr. Stivers."

Mr. Stivers:—"Your Honor, there are things that have just been told me by this young man's mother and of which I was not aware when the trial was in progress. He is an epileptic and his father is in the insane asylum."

Mr. Kirk:—I have no sympathy for this defendant at all. I am well acquainted with his habits during a part of his life and if he had taken the stand we all would have known more about him."

Judge Kinne:—"Mr. Starr, stand up. Have you anything to say why sentence should not be passed upon you?"

Starr:—"Nothing, only what I have said. I am not guilty."

Then there stepped forth from the crowd the tall woman who had sat beside the defendant all through the trial.

It was his mother.

She asked the Court for permission to say a few words for her son and when it was granted by the Court the inspiration of a mother's heart poured out for her convicted son.

"This young man is not responsible," said she in a clear voice before the Judge, jurors, attorneys and court auditors. "He is insane—not all the time of course. But he gets into trouble. He is arrested and thrown into prison. That makes him worse when he gets out. It does no good to send him there. It is not the place for him. His grandmother died of insanity and his father, who is now in the asylum, will die of it."

Judge Kinne:—"It is very lamatable [lamentable], but the idea of punishing him is to protect society against him."

Mrs. Gunong:—"But states prison is not the place for him."

Judge Kinne:—"It is now too late for this kind of a defense. If your position had been known, it might have been availed. I do not expect any reformation in the young man but I see no other alternative than that I must sentence him."

Mr. Kirk to Mrs. Gunong:—"Arthur Starr is not his correct name, is it?"

Mrs. Gunong:—"No, that is not my name."

Judge Kinne:—"Has he ever been in prison before?"

Mrs. Gunong:—"He has."

Judge Kinne:—"Would you mind stating what it was for?"

Mrs. Gunong:—"I had rather not?"

Mr. Kirk:—"If this kind of a defense is good, I am sure I can't see it. I know where this young man served a year for stealing sheep. And I know where he served three years for stealing a horse. He is a fugitive from justice now for stealing a bicycle in Ypsilanti. He is going around under an assumed name. If that's insanity, all right."

Mrs. Gunong:—"He has St. Vitus dance and that leads to insanity."

Judge Kinne:—"It is difficult to understand that an insane man would act like the defendant. I have no hope however, that punishment will do him any good. The maximum limit for this offense is ten years. I must sentence him and if any mistake has been made an application can be made to the governor or the pardon board and there will be an alievation [alleviation]. I will sentence you, Mr. Starr, to three years in the state's prison at Jackson."

The mother returned to her seat downcast as her son was led back to the jail to await his transportation to Jackson for three years at hard labor.