The speed with which Judge L. Bradford Prince (pictured above) worked in dispatching court business is illustrated by a case which came before him during his first session which he held of the Mora County District Court.
On Friday morning of the week that the court was in session, the grand jury bought in an indictment against Joe Felipe Gallegos for the murder of Sabino Lopez on August 9, 1878. Gallegos was immediately arrested and his trial went on in the afternoon of that very same day.
Mr. Thomas B. Catron (of Santa Fe Ring fame) was assigned to prosecute the case and a Mr. Leyden. who had just been admitted to the bar, was named to defend Joe Felipe Gallegos. The trial continued Friday night until nearly 11:30 o'clock and throughout the day Saturday. The jury returned a verdict of guilty of murder in the 4th degree Saturday evening. A sentence of seven years imprisonment, the highest penalty under the circumstances, was imposed. Thus the defendant was indicted, arrested, tried, convicted and sentenced, all within less than 2 days.
It may be doubted that this speed was always in the best interest of complete and impartial justice in individual cases.
References:
- Frank W. Clancy, "Reminiscences of Territorial Days", Proceedings, New Mexico Bar Association, 1919 on page 55.
- Frank W. Clancy, "In Memory of L. Bradford Prince." Historical Society of New Mexico, publication No. 25 on page 5.
- Arie W. Poldervart, "Black Robed Justice". Published by the Historical Society of New Mexico on page 112.
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