The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-03
ls Was Serving a Hlne-Year Sen.
tcncs for Larceny.
HIS BROTHER The GUILTY ONE
And finally .I.k,s n Voluntary Confei-
sion--1he District Attorney Eecom-
mends His Pardon-A Curious Story
of Imprisonmcn mt OF the :. rons Nan.

BOSTON, Nov. o.--Aftcr consideration
Of his case, tho pardon committee OF the
executive council decided to recommend
the pardon of William H. Tucker, who
was serving "a ninc-year sentence In the
states prison. Warden Lowering, who
pleaded earnestly for Mr.. Tucker at tho
hearing yesterday before the committee,
carried the news OF the pardon and the re-
lease papers to the prison yesterday af-
ternoon AMI Tucker was again free man.
William II. Tucker claimed he suffered
for crime he never committed. The his
tory Of the case is replets with interest,
ilvolving ~ tt does tho lives OF two
brothers now behind the bars at Charles
town.
George and William "A. Tucker were
born and brought up in Andover. The
former ~ IS years Of age and William Is
about A. From the biographies OF the
two it would appear that the younger
brother was ever the proverbial black
sheep Of the family. Robberies and petty
larcenies made him notorious in and abont
his home, and society, as 1t existed in
those parts. slighted him and preferred
his absence at its gatherings.
williams Hard Luck.
William, on the contrary. though no
great saint, was no great sinner either.
His record was far freer than his wayward
brothers. Each followed the bent Of his
own genius til an event occurred toward
the close of the year 1889 that brought
them together and has kept them so ever
since.
Various larcenies had been committed
about that time. George had disappeared
o. Tod ITn fad
brothers premises were searched, aud
some of the stolen goods were found.
Both were indicted. Strange enough,
though Williams record had been COM
paratively clean, he was accounted q COM
mon and notorious thief by Judge Sher-
man, and In January, 1890. sentenced to
nine years ut state prison. George received
a l0-year sentence for that offense and
five in Cambridge on another. They have
been incarcerated ever since.
William protested strongly and accused
his brother as the guilty party. George
accused William in turn as the sole male
factor. Cirtain circumstances In the case
attracted attention. Many believed that
William was innocent and that George
was simply sustaining his own reputation.
Warden Lowering was firmly convinced
that he was guarding an innocent man in
William II. Tucker and expressed himself
so. The nature of the offense, the magni-
tude of the sentences and strong protesta-
tion Of innocence prompted an investiga-
tion. While this investigation was pend =
ing Ge rye Tucker confessed that he, and
he alone, was the guilty party, and that
Billy" had been wronged.
District Attorneys Views.
The case was referred to District At
torney Moody, who reported to Governor
Russell as follows:
Upon assuming the office of district attorney
in January. 1870, found upon the files of the
court three indictments pending against Will
lam II. Tucker. One charged him with tho
larceny of certain tools. This indictment,
did not believe, could ne sustained by the evil
dence and IL was mol pressed. The second, in
two counts, charged him with larceny Of
overcoats, satchel and cartridges valued at
S38. and other articles valued at go. To this
Tucker pleaded guilty.
The third indictment charged him Jointly
with George A. Tucker In the first count for
breaking and entering the house Of Charles I.
johnson In the nighttime. and the second
count held him for the larceny in said house
OF clothing.f To the second count he pleaded
guilty, and Justice Sherman adjudged him a
common and notorious thief and sentenced
him to Imprisonment for nine years. AS to
the guilt OF w. III. Tucker on the second count
/ have never heard any doubt
On the third indictment each said the other
alone was guilty, but part OF the property
stolen was found sewed up In a bedtick in
William fuckers apartments. Outside in q
wall near his house some stolen silver was
found secretci. IL was largely upon the pos
session of this stolen property that the case
against your petitioner rested. So strenuously
did w. ii. Tucker assert his innocence that
it was suggested that the indictment be
changed to one for rcceiying stolen property.
He, however, preferred TO plead guilty, say
log that his brothers testimony would con-
vict him. am informed by the late warden
of state prison that he Is firmly convinced
that upon the last Indictment the petitioner is
guilllcss. The written confession OF the
brother certainly tends TO sustain that view.
Sentence Too Heavy.
He concludes by reminding the governor
and council that, without the last indict-
meat, he petitioner could not have been
sent to prison for so long term rs he has
already served, MS IL is more than an ade-
quate sentence for the other two larcenies
Lieulelant Governor Wolcott presided
yesterday. Warden Ljvering went before
ths committee and earnestly addressed the
members IA behalf OF the petitioner Hs
INSISTED that William and George havs
Lever been together since they were over
there, and there has becn no cause for the
written confession except the stricken
conscience of the youager.
Chaplain Barnes also put in good word
for Tucker.
sfvsss a.