A Second Reckoning by Scott D. Seligman

Author:Scott D. Seligman [Seligman, Scott D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, United States, 20th Century, Social Science, Ethnic Studies, American, African American & Black Studies, Discrimination
ISBN: 9781640124875
Google: 6II6EAAAQBAJ
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 57527321
Publisher: Potomac Books
Published: 2021-10-01T00:00:00+00:00

There was nothing earth-shattering about these recollections, however, and they appear to differ from the sisters’ testimony only in relatively minor details, though the part about whether events in the Brandon home had been visible through the windows was significant. And although the defense argued that they could produce additional witnesses to prove that Lottie May Brandon’s death had been due to convulsions stemming from her pregnancy—a contention that had already been litigated at trial—none of it moved Judge Duncan. After hearing the defense’s arguments, he immediately overruled their motion for a new trial and proceeded to sentence the defendant.

He stated that in his view, the jury had been absolutely justified in its verdict. Without going into any detail, he acknowledged that there had been “bad management” on the part of “some persons out of the State” working on the case—likely a reference to Mrs. Humiston—but added that when the real detectives got on the job, the truth had come out. He said he had made a careful study of the testimony and the evidence and had concluded in light of it that “there was but one verdict” that the jury could have reached. He also noted that if there had been any doubt in their minds, the jurors would not have delivered the judgment that they did: guilty with the death penalty.

Asked if he had anything to say before sentence was pronounced, the defendant declared “Yes, sir! I am not guilty!”

Then the judge addressed him directly. “It is the judgment of the Court that you, John Snowden, be delivered by the Warden of the Baltimore County Jail to the sheriff of Anne Arundel County, and there be safely kept in the jail of Anne Arundel County until such time as the Governor of Maryland shall appoint when you shall be taken thence by the sheriff of Anne Arundel County and hanged by the neck until you are dead. And may God have mercy on your soul.”14

As the sentence was read to him, John Snowden wept copiously.

Attorneys Brady, Grason, and Williams announced that they would now petition the court of appeals for a new trial, and that if it were granted, they would request removal of the case to another court.

As he was escorted out of the courtroom, Snowden shouted “not guilty” several times. Then, under guard, he was immediately returned by automobile to Annapolis to await action by Governor Harrington.15

He had calmed down considerably by the time he arrived. As he was readmitted to Anne Arundel County Jail, where he had spent many months waiting for his trial, he remarked to Sheriff Joseph H. Bellis, “Well, boss, they done fetched me back here for you to hang.”16

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