Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 06.pdf/370

 Form of Procedure in Capital Trials among the Jews. based. The scribes, tablet in hand, compared the statements now made with those recorded on the previous day. If any member of the tribunal, voting for a conviction, founded his judgment upon reasoning materially opposed to that he before urged, his verdict was not accepted. One who had resolved to acquit on the preceding day was not permitted to change his determination. But any one who had decided to convict might, upon furnish ing the Synhedrin with the arguments induc ing him so to do, vote on this occasion in favor of an acquittal. Again the number for and against the accused was announced. Still the sentence was. deferred. The pris oner might bethink himself of some valid plea in extenuation of his crime; unexpected witnesses might be forthcoming; the Syn hedrin might produce some favorable argu ments. Slowly the sun gained the meridian. Still the court sat; none thought of quitting the hall of judgment. Gradually the sun declined and evening drew nigh. There was to be no interval between sentence and execution; the hour that heard the doom pronounced would see it carried into effect. Sunset was the time fixed for both. As the

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afternoon wore on the doors of the court were opened. A man stationed himself at the gate, carrying in his hand a flag. In the distance was a horseman, so placed as to perceive readily the least movement or agitation of the bunting. With a solemnity becoming the occasion, the Synhedrin, after praying that they might commit no sin thereby, decreed the punishment of death. Accompanied by two rabbins, the convict was led to the place of execution without the walls. Hope was not even yet aban doned. If one of the judges bethought him of an argument in favor of the criminal the flag at the door was raised and the mounted messenger prepared for such an emergency galloped forward to stop the execution. If the culprit requested to be reconducted to the court, he was taken back as often as he furnished any valid excuse. The Synhedrin sat until the hazan — messenger of the court — returned with a notification that the condemned man was no more. Again utter ing a prayer that the judgment that day pronounced might not have been in error, the members rose and silently quitted the hall of justice.