Lisa: I believe in the Brown case it was stated he was charged with either 2nd degree manslaughter or murder, which usually carries a much lesser sentence than 1st degree. The reason...there may have been something similar in those days to "Plea Bargaining" which is so common today. This happens as a result of admitting guilt to a less- er charge in exchange for a lesser sentence. In Bailey's case he took a 'shortcut' & ending up serving NO time...On earth, at least! BILL in CT -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for posting these fascinating articles. I don't understand why in this case Adonijah Baily was sentenced to death, but in the case of Mr. Brown, posted the other day, he got off virtually scott free. Was the life of child not valued as much as that of an adult man? Or, was it that corporal punishment was an accepted activity, but in the Brown case, the child *unfortunately* died? It would be interesting to know if anyone has studied the court cases of this time period to see what types of sentences were imposed for what types of crimes. Lisa ----- Original Message ----- From: M. E. Potter To: RIGENWEB-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 6:50 PM Subject: Re: [RIGENWEB] Pollock Murder -- The Scoop Hi Jean, All of the following are from the same source, "Early American Newspapers, Series I, 1690 to 1876" available to members on the NEHGS website. First, the following popped up (in case you don't already know this): From the Rhode-Island Republican, Vol.. 13, Iss. 27, pg. 4, 1821-10-03: "WASHINGTON, ss. -- Supreme Judicial Court / October term, A. D. 1820. / WHEREAS Marvel Pollock of Exeter, in the county of Washington, wife of Jeremiah W. Pollock, now residing in parts unknown, has this day filed her petition, in my Office, praying, for certain reasons therein stated, that the bonds of matrimony subsisting between her and the said Jeremiah, may be dissolved. Notice is hereby given to the said Jeremiah, to be and appear, if he see fit, before the Honorable Supreme Judicial Court to be holden, at South-Kingstown, within and for the county of Washington, on the second Monday of October, 1821, to shew [sic] cause why the prayer of said petition, ought not to be granted. / JOHN SEGAR, Clerk. / South Kingstown, Aug. 18, 1821 [S.12]" [If you don't already have the divorce papers, you can get them, free of charge, by emailing <archives@courts.ri.gov> ] From the Norwich Courier, Vol. III, Iss. 42, pg. 3, 1825-01-19: "Trial for Murder. -- On Wednesday last, came on the trial of Adonijah Bailey, aged 80 years, for the murder of Jeremiah W. Pollock, at the Superio

Bill - I suppose they did have plea bargaining or similar back in those days too. I'ver never had any reason to look into the law back in those days, so I don't know much about the differences between then and now. thanks for answering, Lisa ----- Original Message ----- From: Bill Waterhouse To: RIGENWEB-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 10:56 PM Subject: Re:Re: [RIGENWEB] Pollock Murder -- The Scoop (1 of 2) Lisa: I believe in the Brown case it was stated he was charged with either 2nd degree manslaughter or murder, which usually carries a much lesser sentence than 1st degree. The reason...there may have been something similar in those days to "Plea Bargaining" which is so common today. This happens as a result of admitting guilt to a less- er charge in exchange for a lesser sentence. In Bailey's case he took a 'shortcut' & ending up serving NO time...On earth, at least! BILL in CT -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for posting these fascinating articles. I don't understand why in this case Adonijah Baily was sentenced to death, but in the case of Mr. Brown, posted the other day, he got off virtually scott free. Was the life of child not valued as much as that of an adult man? Or, was it that corporal punishment was an accepted activity, but in the Brown case, the child *unfortunately* died? It would be interesting to know if anyone has studied the court cases of this time period to see what types of sentences were imposed for what types of crimes. Lisa ----- Original Message ----- From: M. E. Potter To: RIGENWEB-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 6:50 PM Subject: Re: [RIGENWEB] Pollock Murder -- The Scoop Hi Jean, All of the following are from the same source, "Early American Newspapers, Series I, 1690 to 1876" available to members on the NEHGS website. First, the following popped up (in case you don't already know this): From the Rhode-Island Republican, Vol.. 13, Iss. 27, pg. 4, 1821-10-03: "WASHINGTON, ss. -- Supreme Judicial Court / October term, A. D. 1820. / WHEREAS Marvel Pollock of Exeter, in the county of Washington, wife of Jeremiah W. Pollock, now residing in parts unknown, has this day filed her petition, in my Office, praying, for certain reasons therein stated, that the bonds of matrimony subsisting between her and the said Jeremiah, may be dissolved. Notice is hereby given to the said Jeremiah, to be and appear, if he see fit, before the Honorable Supreme Judicial Court to be holden, at South-Kingstown, within and for the county of Washington, on the second Monday of October, 1821, to shew [sic] cause why the prayer of said petition, ought not to be granted. / JOHN SEGAR, Clerk. / South Kingstown, Aug. 18, 1821 [S.12]" [If you don't already have the divorce papers, you can get them, free of charge, by emailing <archives@courts.ri.gov> ] From the Norwich Courier, Vol. III, Iss. 42, pg. 3, 1825-01-19: "Trial for Murder. -- On Wednesday last, came on the trial of Adonijah Bailey, aged 80 years, for the murder of Jeremiah W. Pollock, at the Superio ==== RIGENWEB Mailing List ==== The RI Archives http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/ri/rifiles.htm RIGenWeb Archives Search http://www.rootsweb.com/usgenweb/ri/risearch.html