Belle Starr’s property was raided in 1882. A year later, she and her husband, Sam Starr, stood trial before Judge Isaac C. Parker — better known as the Hanging Judge (wanna guess why?) — in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
After a four-day trial, both were found guilty and sentenced to 12 months in prison.
History says the judge went easy on them because they were first-time offenders (as far as he knew). Others chalk it up to Belle’s ladylike demeanor and charm during the proceedings.
https://famousfemalefelons.substack.com/p/belle-starrpart-iv-you-cant-win-em?
Even so, both served only 9 months before being released and returned to Younger’s Bend.
Sam didn’t stay long. He slipped straight back into outlaw life, and the law wasn’t far behind, so his visits grew shorter and more sporadic.
Belle, meanwhile, wasn’t quite finished with the courts either. In 1886, she was again accused of horse theft.