Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-07-10
NEosHO COUNTY BOY MURDERER Is
LIKELY TO GO FREE.
BOARD HAS RECOMMENDED 1T.
GOVERNOR LEEDY, 1T Is SAID, HAS
PROMISED TO GRANT 1T.
Pardon Board Issues n Lengthy State
ment Defending Its Action in
FHvOrinE the Murderer of
Father, Mother, Sister
and Brother.

Topeka. Has.. July e.-(Special.) The
| state board OF pardons to-day filed report
| with Governor Leedy recommending that
| Willie Sell, the NeoshO county boy muT-
derer' be pardoned. This action was taken
| by the board in the face of the fact that
protests were fled against it by almost the
| entire pOpulace of Neosho county. Gov
ernor Leedy says he will make a careful
| examination of the report and evidence on
| which Sell was convicted before he reaches
| a decision, but those interested in securing
a pardon for the murderer say that the
! governor has promised them that he will
grant the pardon. They say that he will
not take action Immediately. on account
| OF the feeling in NeOshO county, but that
in due time he will make Sell free man.
While it was not supposed that the board
would report so soon on the case, its action
was not unexpected. One Of those who
were here protesting against the granting
OF the pardon declared tonight that he
could get the worst criminal in the peni-
tentiary out for 500. He favored the abol-
iShment Of criminal courts. He said that IL
was not worth while fo- the state to spend
money 10 convict criminals only to have a
beard Of pardons release them as soon as
application was made.
In its report, the board says. in justiica-
ton OF its action:
The average mind in a condition Of ex-
citement cannot weigh testimOny-it does
not want to. Public sentiment demanded
a conviction and one resulted. We have
followed up carefully the various reports
concerning alleged confessions made by
me. and We are constrained to believe
that a confession was never made. Mr..
cogswell and Mr.. Hall, the attorneys to
whom 1t was alleged a confession was
made; both say no confession was made.
MI WOODS, in his affidavit filed in the
case. negatives the idea of any such con-
Iesslon al the time the affidavit was made.
which was some time after the trial.
Willie Sell. before and since his incar-
ceration in the penitentiary, and at all
times and places, has always stOutly and
with an appearance Of candor and truth
and with iirmness, maintained his entire
innocence OF the crime charged against
MN. both publicly and to his attorneys
in private.
&c. A. Cox. who was county attorney and
prosecuted Willie Sell at the time OF the
trial now believes that he is innocent
Grave doubts Of his guilt have always
existed IN the minds of great many peo-
pie in NeOshO county. who are acquainted
WIN the circumstances Of his conviction,
eI.el dna time: with other developments. has in
creased that feeling Of uncertainty.
Mr.. j. Mendell. who was the first per
son al the Sell place after the murder:
NJ Mrs. A. T. MendeIl and Eva Menden. ali |
OF Wnom were prosecuting witnesses in |
Ine case. have grave doubts as to his |
Prison officers. who are in a position to |
study the habits, characteristics and ma |
tuLS OF convicts. and who have watched /
" lllle closely. and watched him under all |
conaltions, believe that he is innocent
- evidence has been introduced before
TINS board that points to parties other
tnan Willie Sell as the possible and prob |
able perpetrators OF the crime: hut il Is
not The province or duty Of this hoard 10
try suspected parties =
The testimoney Of all proves conclusiyelv
that from Willie's infancy up 10 the la
hcur ne was seen with his family he vas |
al" ays pleasant Obedfent bov 10 ais |
mother and devoted to his sister and IN |
fact was a model in the neighborhood for |
good conduct and hiial obedience. and that |
there was no evidence of motive on Wiliie's |
charged. u i'iie
me great improbability OF the case con-
-fCnts US. could a boy Of his tender Years
anc physical strength have gone through |
me struggle which the evidence discloeed |
COX place on the part OF his father and |
mother Tor their lives, and escape without
/ scratch OF any kind upon his persou1
, Ihis board after a thorough inyestiga-
losi, ana mature deliberation is of Tha |
opinion that Willie Sell is innocent of the |
rhine OF which he was charged and COW
'icted, and for which he mas surferEd |
,leven years imprisonment. We baIiaye |
nat Justice. Justice pure and simple would !
lnly be meted out by saying TO Willie Seei |
%, go out In the world with the charge |
u murder. under which YOU have rested |
% long. entirely wiped out
Therefore. We most resppctfuiIv ara |
arr estly recommend that your exceIlency ,
ardon."