Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-08-04
A LEGAL INCIDENT.
A TRAGIC ENDING OF AN UNJUST
CRIMINAL CONVICTION.

What Streng Circumstantial Evidence
Did in the Case of a Trusted Clerk.
He 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 a 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 a chain of cir
cumstantial evidence woven around him
which was exceptionally strong and
which his counsel could not break down,
although he was firmly convinced him.
self of his innocence. The clerk was
convicted and sent to Jail for term of
years.
After being, confined in prison for
about year the poor fellows mind be-
gan to weaken, and finally he broke
down completely. He was taken from
prison and transferred to hospital for
the insane. All the time the clerk con-
tinued to protest his innocence. After
he. had been confined in the hospital
three or four years, certain facts in the
failure were elected which clearly proved
that the unfortunate clerk was entirely
innocent of having committed any crime.
OF course steps were Immediately
taken to secure the pardon of the man;
the facts were laid. before the pardon
board at their next meeting and an order
was given for his immediate release.
1t now became the delicate duty of
the counsel in the case to break the
happy Intelligence to the pardoned clerk.
But the question tnat confronted them
was what could be done to restore his
reason, and would he believe the news?
If his mind could not be restored he
could not be taken away. What could
be done? After consultation between
the counsel on both sides of the case it
was agreed to call upon the poor clerk
and make an attempt to rouse him from
the apathy and lethargy into which he
had fallen. This they decided to do by
accusing him again of the theft of the
funds. Whenever this subject was
broached he always reused himself and
became greatly animated, always vigor-
ously denying it.
While his mind was aroused by this
stimulus it had been decided that one of
the counsel was to announce that the
matter had been fully investigated and
his innocence fully established. The
parties to this strange drama assembled
in the room of the stricken man. He
sat silent and immovable, with his head
in his hands.
As the old and ever ranking charge
of dishonesty fell upon his ears the eff
feet was exactly that which had been
foreseen and expected. He slowly raised
his head. Looking his pseudo accuser
straight in the eye he repeated, in
loud tone of voice, with rising infiec-
ton and with great energy, ut is a lie."
The critical moment had come. The
lawyer who had prosecuted him and Sc
cured his incarceration then stepped up
to him and said: "You are right. 1t is a
lie, and you stand before the community
vindicated man. | have the order for
your release in my pocket"
Then the lawyers stood off to watch
the effect, hoping that the joy at the
prospect of release and vindication would
hare the effect of putting the clerk again
in his right mind. But no sign of joy
overspread the mans features. His face
bore its usual stolid expression. 1t
seemed to have no apparent effect upon
him.
The clerk turned his face toward the
speaker. as if he did not understand him.
Then his head fell forward, and the man
was precipitated upon the floor at the
feet of the lawyers. A single glance
sufficed. He was dead.-Green Bag.