The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-07-28
A LEGAL INCIDENT.
A TRAGIC ENDING OF AN UNJUST
CRIMINAL CONVICTION.

what Strong circumstantiai Evidence
Did in the Case OF Trusted Clerk.
ISe Died When He Learned That He
Was Innocent Before the Law.
The following thrilling story comes
from the lips of well known member
Of the Pennsylvania bar;
A very bad and dishonest failure had
occurred, In which o certain trusted
clerk seemed to have been guilty of the
larger share of the crime. He, with his
employer, was arrested and charged
with the crime. The clerk stoutly pro.
tested his innocence and denied all
knowledge of the fraud or any connec.
ton with his employer.
However, there was O chain of cir.
cumstantial evidence woven around him
which was exceptionally strong and
which hts counsel could not break down
although he was firmly convinced him
self Of his innocence. The clerk wa.
convicted and sent to Jail for term Of
years.
After being confined in prison fol
about q year the poor fellows mind be
gan to weaken, and finally he brok'
down completely, He was taken from
prison and transferred to hospital fol
the insane. All the time the clerk con
tinued to protest his innocence. Ate
he had been confined In the hospita
three or four years, certain facts in tn
failure were elected which clearly proves
that the unfortunate clerk was entirel,
innocent of having committed any crime
OF course steps were immediatel,
taken 70 secure the pardon OF the man
the facts were laid before the pardon
board at their next setting and an orde
was given for his immediate release.
1t now became the delicate duty O
the counsel in the case to break til
happy intelligence to the pardoned clerk
But the question that confronted Their
was what could he done to restore hi
reason, and would he believe the news
Ii his mind could not be restored h
could not be taken away. What coul
be done? lAftera consultation betwee
the counsel on both sides of tho case
was agreed to call upon the poor cler
and make an attempt to rouse him fror
the apathy and lethargy into which b
had fallen. This they decided to do b
accusing him again of the theft of til
funds Whenever this subject wa
broached he always reused himself an
became greatly animated, always vigol
otlsly denying it.
While his mind was aroused by TIL
stimulus it had been decided that one {
the counsel was to announce that tn
matter had been fully investigated an
his innocence fully established. I'll
parties to this strange drama assemble
iii the room of the stricken man. II
sat silent and immovable, with his hea
in his hands.
As the old and ever ranking charg
Of dishonesty fell upon his ears the e
feet was exactly that which had bee
foreseen and expected. He slowly raise
his head. Locking his pseudo accuse
straight in the eye he repeated, In
load tone of voice, with rising inflet
ton and with great energy, "It is a lie
The critical moment had come. III
lawyer who had prosecuted him and 81
cured his incarceration then stepped IL
to him aud said; You are right 1t is
lie, and you stand before the communit
indicated man. have the order fc
your release in my pocket"
Then the lawyers stood off to waite
the effect, hoping that the Joy at IL
prospect of release and vindication woul
have the effect of putting the clerk agai
in his right mind. But no sign of jc
oyerspread the mans features. HIS fax
bore its usual stolid expression.
seemed to have 10 apparent effect upo
him.
The clerk turned his face toward IL
speaker, as IL he did not understand hin
Then his head fell forward, and the ina
was precipitated upon the floor at tt
feet of the lawyers. A single CLAN,
sufiieed. He was dead.-Green Bag.