The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-04-20
OUT OF THE JAWS OF DEATH.
MILES RIDDICK's SENTENCE COMMITTED
TO IMPRISONMENT FOR LIFE-A TALK
WITH THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT KEN
PER "A MIGHTY GOOD MANI

TO IMPRISONMENT FOR LIFE-A TALK
WITH THE RIsoNER-GovERNoR KEN
PER "A MIGHTY GOOD MAN"
Governor Kemper yesterday made Miles
Riddick happy man by committing his
sentence from death to imprisonment for
life. His offence was the killing OF Alex.
ander Burke, another colored man, en-
ployed with him on board the tug-boat
Grace Meade. The alteration occurred in
November last, and was brought about i'm
mediately by Burke, wing acted as cook, not
promptly furnishing Riddick with break
fast. though it is certain before that time an
enmity had existed between the two men.
Judge Guigon positively refused to re-
commend mercy, and expressed the opin-
ion that Riddick's shooting OF Burke was
deliberate murder.
Upon the application for Executive elem
encT Governor Kcmper made the following
endorsation:
.In the case OF Miles Riddick the death
penalty is commutcd to Imprisonment for
life in the penitentiary for the following
reasons:
"The homicide in this case appears to have
resulted from an alteration about O trivial
matter, occurring on the same day, and not
from an antecedent grudge. No person wit
messed the act. Couceding that it was will
full and malicious, and not accidental, as the
prisoner alleged, it was yet less heinous than
murder by poison, lyingl wait, or by starV-
ing. or in connection with an attempt to
commit arson. rape, robbery. or burglary.
II resulted from resentment and wrath, not
from baser passion, not for gain, nor with
the delibcration OF cold and sordid design.
| - hc,,
being enough Of themselves to justify Exc
cutiye interference. But the jury deemed
the prisoner stupid or half-witted, and.
| treating his crime rs more than techni-
cally that of murder in the first degree,
they unanimously petition for n commuta-
tion of his punishment. Several Of the
Jurors refused to agree to the verdict ex.
cept upon the condition that all should
unite in recommending the case to EXecu-
tive clemency. They acted upon the false
! idea that such recommendation was OF itself
enough to insure a mitigation OF the SEN
tence But later investigation materially
strengthened the application OF the jury.
It is attested by those who know best, that
| il DEVELOPMENTS made since the trial had
been brought to light at that time the pen
atty OF death would not have been agreed
upon BY the Jury. Il careful review OF all
the circumstances and surroundings OF the
case induces me to commute the punish
ment to Imprisonment in the penitentiary
for life. JAMES l.. kEMpER."
Riddick is about twenty-five years old,
and was born in New Orleans, and seems
to be as ignorant and dull as the lowest
classes Of his race usually are.
The news cf the Governors action was
communicated to him about 4 or ) O'Clock
Yesterday evening by Jailor Harmon, and
was received by the prisoner with great
Joy. He had not expected mercy, he said,
and was trying, under the teachings OF
Friend Crenshaw, to prepare for his exit to
another world. To pray, from all accounts,
was great labor to him, since he could not
fix his mind on the subject, and seemed not
to clearly understand his position as 4 re-
sponsible being.
Sergeant TYLER had secured permission
from General Wickham to erect the Scatfold
ON the low piece of ground between tho
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad-shops and
Shockoe creek, and the rope had been pur'
chased North, and all was in readiness. II
is of Italian hemp, twenty feet long, care
fully made, and every fibre looks as strong
as cat-gut. Upon this instrument of deatt
RiddIck looked with some curiosity.
Miles said: "I would ha been mighty
sorry for you, CaI'n, ef you had to hang mt
over" Captain Tyler admitted that the
duty would not have been an agreeable one
but suggested, My place would have beer
rather better than yours" Thereupon
Rddick said, with a faint smile, 81 don'l
know bout dat, either" He had gooC
deal OF curiosity to know how it was that
he was to have been hanged on Tuesday
According to all OF his established notions
Friday is hangman's day, and the use o.
any other day for such purpose (he eYi
dently thinks) would be total disregard OF
law and custom.
Miles was asked by our reporter late yes
terday evening: "Miles, what is your
opinion OF Governor Kemrer." He showed
his teeth, and the grin that started at hi
mouth gradually worked around to his ears
and gladness ilumined his face. Pattins
one big foot on the rocks Of the iail-yart
with spirited motion, he said: go
course, boss, l hav' to say dat he's 4 might!
good man. He hav' certain been might.
good to me-"
Riddick has been an excellent prisoner
Captain Tyler says that he has given hin
very little trouble, and has not even felt i
necessary to keep him closely confined
During his six months imprisonment III
has grown in weight twenty-five pounds
lie will remain at the Jail for a few days tt
see his relatives, and then be taken to th
penhentiary to spend the balance OF his life