Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 241, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 October 1916 — $100 AND COSTS FOR ERNEST L. MORLAN [ARTICLE]

$100 AND COSTS FOR ERNEST L. MORLAN

Judge Hanley Passes Sentence of SIOO Fine and Costs—Prison Sentence Is Suspended. Ernest L. Morlan, defendant in the’ recent perjury case that has been in the local court for the. past week, came before Judge C. W. Hanley this Saturday morning to receive his sentence, on the charge that he was found guilty of by the court. Judge Hanley gave Morlan a fine of SIOO and costs, which in all will amount to several hundreds of dollars. The prison sentence of two to twenty-one

years was suspended by the judge, during good behavior. A suspended sentence means that Morlan is the same as a paroled prisoner anil his conduct in the future will determine as to whether or not the suspension sentence will be revoked. In cases of this kincl. where the prisoner’s sentence is suspended on good behavior, the prison authorities send a man here and the papers are made* out which show that Moilan is a prisoner on parole, and will be such for at least thominimum of two years. Morlan will also have to provide bond.

In view of the fact that the evidence presented by the two factions in the case was so contrary as to leave a reasonable doubt in the mind of the court, the rendered by Judge Hanley in this matter meets with general apporval, and for the most paid; the belief is that the defendant received sufficient punishment from the sentence imposed upon him, and.if he is-guilty on the charge of perjury, this should prove to be a lesson to him, and govern his conduct in the future. Judge Hanley’s decision, however, in all probability will prove satisfactory to the public in general. There are always different opinions ventured in such a case as this and the case recently closed is no exception to the rule. Since the State of Indiana has found

.that Ernest L, Morlan was guilty of the charge upon which he was tried, the verdict that Morlan was guilty must be and should be accepted. Ernest Morlan perjured himself and was punished for it. The laws of Indiana were violated by him and as a result innocent parties were damaged by his untruths, a serious thing, and the sentence passed by Judge Hanley this morning was not too severe and was just irr every way. The trial of the state vs. Jay W. Stockton indicted on the same,Charge as Morlan, will be tried ifi he local court beginning November 15th.