Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-01-17
WRIGHT LEROY.
His Last Appeals to Governor Stonemau
for %eroy.


Wright Leroy, who was executed in San
Francisco yesterday for the murder of
Nicholas Sllerrett in san Francisco on the
18th OF August last, full account Of which
appears in the Geographic columns, through
his attorneys. and personally. made strong
appeals to Governor StoneInan for com
mutation OF sentence. The following com
munications are on file in the Governors
office:
SAN Francisco January 10, 1885.
Hon. George StOncBGn Governor or Cdii-
tor7ia I will address your Excellency one
more brief communication. am now con-
demned to die for a crime did not commit.
l have not expected that the unjust
sentence which | am under would be
carried INTO execution, because l know it is
unjust. / am not ready for the hour of
death. If | were guilty of this crime J
would have expected 10 die for II, and
would have spent all my time in preparing
for death. My mind has been and is only
intent to vindicate myself against this most
unnatura! and uniounded charge. II IS
unjust as to myself, because ! am not
guilty il is unjust to my aged and
honOred mother as it brands her with
an unmerited disgrace; it is unjust
as TO my brothers and sisters and numerous
TGldllOIlS III lut T-uSttil SUITES, All vi hIlOlu
must suffer the disgrace connected with
such an ignominious death | know your
EXcellency will not dismiss this most seri-
Gus matter without the most serious con-
sideratiOn. Let Justice be done but the
evidence against me Is the history OF 4
course III conGuct that | would not have
pursued if | had committed the crime
charged against me. If the man |. W. Lees
had treated me in the spirit of CandOr,
humanity and fairness, his testimony would
have been of a very different character
from what it was. | was confronted by
conditions and emergencies most sudden
and appaIling-enough 10 Oyerwhclm
more powerful constitution than |
possess. I did not intend when I WIS ar
rested to say anything ia any one but Coun-
sci, but the unjust illegal and badgering
course pursued towards me betrayed me
into resenting the injustice. Counsel was
denied me illegally, and when ! most stood
in need of it. and the trial accorded me
was not fair one, and ask of your TX
cellency. as an act OF justice and right, to
grant the commutation ! ask, and | ask it
full of confidence that it will receiyeit at the
hands of your Excellency. Very respect
fully your obcdient servant,
WRIGHT LEROY.
SAN FRANCISCO, January 10, 1885
Hon. George StoncH,a21, Sacramento, Cal
DEAR GOVERNOR Ii our respective places
were changed l would spare your life.
Knowing what / do, It would surely be an
act of justice and right. Putting myself in
the place of your Excellency. by saving life
in this case | would but give the benefit of
reasonable doubt BY having my life
spared | can cause those reasonable doubts
To grow stronger and stronger. ! am not
guilty, and | am confident that thousands
in IL. holi
guilty, and the evidence of number Of
witnesses for the defense has not been
heard, l shall proceed TO let the pub
lie see what it is if my life be
spared, Judge Darwin reasons on the
evidence as 1t stands. The evidence as ii
stands is, in a number of vital particulars,
grossly misleading and unjust to me and,
as | have not had the opportunity to make
the defense in Court that | expected, think
in Justice l should not be forever barred by
such an untimely, and-as l know-unjust
death. One important witness is in Mex
leo; another has but lately returned here;
three are now IN remote parts of this State.
Dear Governor Stoneman Commute that
sentence, and God III heaven Will approve
the act. l am, sir, very respectfully, your
obedient servant, WRIGHr Leroy.
The following was received by telegraph
SAN Francisco, January15th.
G9uer1lor @. StOuenGn, Sacramento Have
written you this p. n. In Gods name, and
i'll the name of justice and mercy, why
don't you spare my life? A God of justice,
| know, will approve the act No harm
can come of it, and good viii be accom-
plished thereby. Am not guilty, Heaven
knows. My life should not be cut off thus,
and the simple consent of your Excellency
will save the wrong, If your Excellency
has refused, it is not too late for you -
change it. The WiSest and best men on
earth have erred, and have seen the error
aud corrected it. Am sure your Excellency
Will err if die, Let me live, and no wrong
will De done either to human or divine
laws. Ny prayer to the Most High is that
your heart will De moved
WRIGHT Leroy.
The Governor replied as follows: " / can
not and shall not interfere in Your case.
May God have mercy on your soul"
SAN FRANCISCO, January 16th-S;11AN
His ErcetleaCy George St0pem0'3, Governor
Of California: I implore you, as Chief
Executive, to avert the commission of
judicial murder. Ny letter alludes TO a
witness lately returned here can prove
by him clear alibi, showing I could not
have killed Skerrett on the 18th of August,
1883 | reiterate my entire innocence.
May God give you tirnness to grant me
respite of bat FIVE days TO prove alibi Wit
ness is credible man. Do not turn deaf
ear to this my dying appeal
WRIGHT LERoY
SAN Francisco, January 16th-s:30 A. M
HIS Ercetieac, George Stonepa,e, Governor
Of California The State cannot gain by
my death. The laws of the State will be
more than vindicated if / live. Your Ex-
cellency can lose nothing in this life, or
help you TO listen to reason and not to be
influenced by q theory not founded in
truth can prove clear abb. God help
Won 70 listen to reason. w. LEROY,