Las Vegas free press. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1891-1???, 1892-07-23
MRS. pzTTIJuHN's REASONS.

the attorneys for Fred Faulkner, now
under sentence of death, and whose
prayer for a new trial is now pend.
ing in the supreme court, is circulat-
a petition asking for executive elem
ency. This petition she proposes to
present to the governor, in case the
supreme court affirms the decision of
the district court. Would it not be
better to get all these pardons be-
fore trial, thus saving the territory
the expense of the farce of having
people tried at ALP Let the governor
issue an edict that all men who COM
NIT mruder in New Mexico, whether
in anger or for theft, shall be ex-
empt from arrest and shall be par
doned as soon as the deed is DONE"
Optic.
In an interview with Mrs. Petit
john today, in regard to the above
item, she said:
"When 1 decided to study and
practice law, l reconciled myself to
such things, hence care little or
nothing about them. l usually think
| am right and go ahead.
81 sincerely believe that Mr..
Faulkner, or Woods, is not guilty. l
say / do not think he is guilty and if
he is, he was insane before and at
the time of the alleged killing. He
has been incarcerated several times
in lunatic asylum. 1 heard every
word of the evidence of the trial and
/ did not feel shaken in this belief at
any time. The whole evidence was
circumstantial and the greatest proof !
of his guilt was the possession of the |
dead mans property.
81 believe the worst crime he COM
mitted was the crime of theft; l
think he suspected the man was dead
and that by keeping quiet about it he
could possess his property. 1 say
this is my belief. His actions after
the murder was committed were not
the acts of a criminal.
ga crime 80 dastardly would have
made the strongest man coward.
He would have fled into the bywsys,
instead OF the main travelled thor
oughfare. At supper time he stopped
to prepare his supper, when arrested.
do not think these were the actions
of criminal. certainly do not de-
sire TO turn out or have turned out
on our community criminals to en-
danger lives, but do believe where
there is shadow of doubt it ought
to be in favor of the accused, and
lest an unjust sentence be carried out
we simply asked for life mprison.
ment.
alt is reported that this mans
mother abandoned him, and would
not use the least exertion to save
him. The English language is too
neager to express my contempt for
such a mother, if this report is true.
Women, from time immemorial, have
been noted for their devotion and
fidelity. They sat at the foot of the
cross at the crucifxion of our Savior,
ind at the foot of the gallows, ready
% take the lifeless bodies of their
lear ones in their arms. Many an
I'D mother, bent by the weight of
many years, has walked miles and
niles begging clemency for her way
ward son. Hunger, fatigue and
counted for nothing, yet
his mother married 1 second hus-
'and and threw her son out on the
world a mere lad. Do you wonder
hat he now stands In the shadow Of
he gallows? Ipity from my heart
he son of that mother.
"This man chose to come among
'ur people to be tried. He threw
himself upon their mercy, and if
here is one doubt he should have
he benefit of it. No human eye saw
hat deed committed. No matter
ow strong the circumstanclal evil
lence is, it is purely circumstantial.
say if the deed was committed by
he accused, it was in fit of insani-
y. ANY one who has ever made a