The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-14
GOVERNOR EXTENDS PARD0NS
 TO BRETON AND HAMBRICK

for Hambricks release went before the Board of Pardons some months ago and was denied The Board of Pardons now unanimously recommend his pardon. have thought that the administration of Justice would be promoted and not re- tarded by a pardon to him. Let pardon lssue."
 Crosby is Released.
 German Crosby, who was pardoned by Governor Jelks was convicted of murder in the Circuit Court of Chiffon County in January, 1898, and was sentenced to ten years in the penitentiary. He has been working out his sentence under a lease to the Hand Lumber Company at Doiive.
 Crosby killed w. c. ogIetree near Thorsby, Chiffon County, on February T. 1895. Ogletree was shot to death and Crosby claimed his killing was acci- dental The shooting occurred in the store of J. Brice Crosby according to the evidence, went into the store and engaged in a controversy with Bice which resulted in. an exchange of pistol shots. There was a conflict in the testimony the prose cution contending that Ogietree attempted to act as peacemaker and was deliberate ly shot to death by Crosby. The defen' dant claimed that osietree was acct Edentally killed during the pistol duel be tween Bice and himself
 The trouble between Bice and Crosby was the result of report having beer made to federal authorities about al Illicit distillery conducted In the interior of Chiffon County.
 After the shooting of Ogletree Crosb, | escaped and was fugitive many months The State offered reward for his cap. | tude and he was caught in Texas and | brought back to Chiffon County for trial He was convicted but his case was ap. pealed to the Supreme Court. Pending | the decision of the higher court Crosby | broke jail at Clanton and was at large several months Meanwhile the Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the lower court.
 Crosby finally surrendered himself and was sent to the penitentiary to begir serving his sentence. He has been al Doiive working for the Hand Lumber Company as convict and J. D. Hand president of that company has writer Governor. Jeiks that Crosby has made ar exemplary prisoner. MT. Hand says further that he has known Crosby all o his life and that he bears a good char | acter.
 A petition for cemency to Crosby wa: | filed with the Pardon Board and thu | Board yesterday recommended that h' | be paroled.
 Pardon Instead of Parole. l Instead of paroling Crosby. Governor
 Jelks granted him full pardon. Tn Governor made this endorsement upor | the record.
 "A very large number of the citizens | of Chiffon County unite in a recommends l tion for his pardon. Crosby Is charged | with killing peacemaker. The peti tioners' think there Is grave doubt as tt
 whether Crosby really fired the shot tha
 killed. He was sent up for ten year.
 and has served out a large part of hi' | sentence. He has been a model prisoner | all the while. The Pardon Boart unanimously recommend his release. Le pardon issue to him.
 Governor Jelks said yesterday that h,
 saw no reason why convict deserving O clemency should be paroled instead O pardoned when he had been convicted O murder. He inclined to the opinion h,
 said that men committed murders in tn, heat of passion and that they usual,
 made good citizens when they were turnet out of the penitentiary providing the
 record had been good before going there Under these. circumstances he said h. thought 1t just as well to issue par,ion their freedom with the restriction of | parole.
 An indictment is pending against Ger man Crosby in Chiffon County for havin,
 escaped from jail.