The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-21

MARTIN ALLEY AND EDwARD MOORE PARDoNED,
AND THE SENTENCE OF JnHS- BYRD Conf
MUTED FROM DEATH TO IMPRISONMENT FoR
LIFE.
I Shortly after the recent fire at the Vir-
ginia State penitentiary a number OF citi-
zeus, impressed by the distinguished and
courageous efficiency OF Edward Moore and
Martin Alley in saving the public property,
and receiving glowing account from Col
onel Swami and the Board OF the good con-
duct OF these men, determined to try to
get them pardoned. They secured, besides
their own signatures, those OF the Judges of
the Circuit and Chancery and Hastings
Courts, as also the recommendation to Ex-
ecutive clemency Of the Superintendent OF
the Pententiary and his directory. The
petition went in due time to the Governor,
who, after q careful examination OF the
record, determined to grant the petition,
and assigned the following reasons:
Martin Alley was sentenced in the
Hastings Court OF the city Of Richmond at
its December term, 1871, for murder in the
second degree, to confinement in the penI-
teutiary for eighteen years. Edward Moore
was sentenced IN the Hastings Court OF the
city of Portsmouth at the February term,
1868, for murder III the second degree. to
confinement in the penitentiary for eIgh-
teen years.
These two men (Martin Alley and Ed
ward Moore) have, since their imprison-
ment, borne themselves in a manner to ex-
cite the highest commendatiOn Of the Su-
perintendent and directors, dscharging
their duties faithfully and making them
selves useful in various ways IN prison
work and discipline.
At late disastrous fire at the peniten-
tiary they greatly exerted themselves and
rendered most valuable assistance in saving
the public property.
The Recommendation for the pardon Of
these men is urged by the Judges OF the
Circuit and Hastings Courts OF this city
and other gentlemen Of high standing, and
by the unanimous endorsement Of the
Board OF Directors, las not only Just
recognition Of faithful service, but that it
would also exert sautary influence in
maintaining the discipline of the prison."
These are considerations which the laws
OF the State require the Superintendent OF
the Penitentiary to report to the Governor,
to be considered by him in the exercise OF
Executive clemency. These men are there
fore pardoned.
GSisned1 F. W. NJ. HOLIDAY.
The pardons were issued yesterday morn
ing, and were delivered to General Peyton
Wise and Major Robert Stiles, who imme.
diateIy proceeded to the penitentiary, and
delivered them. Both prisoners were deep
y affected, and were utterly unable at first
to realize their good fortune.
It is right to add that the officers OF the
penitentiary were gratificd at this exercise
of the Executive clemency, and declared,
while expressing this feeling, that they
would find it difficult to do without the SER
vices and the example OF these men.
The petitioners above referred to were
Messrs. Thomas Branch, John B. Davis, B.
r. Wexford, Jr., e. II. Fitzhugh, George
L. Christian, j. 3. Jeter, A. e. Dickinson,
Robert Ould, B. AIsop, Robert Stiles,
George D. Wise, Peyton Wise, b. G. Gray,
and 81. X. Ellyson.
The sentence of John Byrd (colored), who
was condemned TO be hanged in Elizabeth
CITY county for a murder committed there,
and who was afterwards respited till Janu-
ary Sd, was ccmmuted to imprisonment for
life ia the penitentiary. The Governor
says:
John Byrd (colored) was convicted in
the county Of Elizabeth City Circuit Court
Of murder in the first degree, and sentenced
to be huny-sentence to be executed on the
9th of December, 1878. Application was
made for q communication OF his sentence
upon various grounds, which did not deem
sufficient. On the 4th of December, 1873, |
was notified that he was subject to fits oil
insanity by gentlemen OF high stand
ing and espectabilty from Mathews coun-
ty. where be had previously lived. There
was no evidence touching his sanity offered
before the Jury. forwarded this after-evi.
dence to the Judge before whom Byrd was
tried, requesting his views. He promptly
replied, giving these views, and adding
"ihat these certificates, read in connection
with his remarkably strange and unnatural
conduct during the trial, would induce me-
had the power, to commute his sentence
The sentence of John Byrd is therefore
commuted to Imprisonment for life in tue
penitentiary, and the sheriff OF Elizabeth
City county will deliver him to the Supcrin'
tendent OF said Penitentiary, who will re-
ceive him and treat him accordingly.
FRED. w. d. HOLIDAY.
December 20, 1878.