Sermon Illustration Library

The Hanging Judge

Illustration Information
Title
The Hanging Judge
Author
Unknown
Reference
Urban Legend? It was a story my father told. I looked for it, but I was unable to find it.
Submitted By
Charles McCracken
Submitted On
August 9, 2008
Last Modified
August 20, 2008
Labels

The story is told of Judge Roy Bean a.k.a. “the hanging judge.” Once when conducting a murder trial, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. Once declared innocent and knowing that he could not be tried a second time for the same offense, the defendant allegedly stood up and mocked the jury telling them that he was indeed guilty. Unfazed, Judge Bean allegedly rapped his gavel, told the former defendant that he found him to be in contempt of court, and promptly sentenced him to hang for his offense.