New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-27
HISTORY or THE CASE.
THE CONVICTED LAWYER WAS FIRST
ARRESTED FOR FORGERY-TRIAL
COST COI-NTY 500 600

The crime for which Albert T. Patrick was con-
Ticred yesterday I'm the Court Of General Sessions
was the murder nf William Marsh Rice. at No. 500
Madisor-a.-.. ou September ., 1850 Mr.. Rice was
az old and eccentric man. who possessed a large
estate .- Texas believed 10 exceed s. GNpoO He
MS wlioWer and the last years of his life had
been em1irterei hE in the courts over the
vii OF his dead wira. He lived in apartment
with Charles T. Jones. his }alet and did much Of
MS 0W-. cooking.
As soon as Nj Rice Wa dead Patric, went 70
The apartment and took possession Of Mr.. Rice's
pToDertE ard paners. Among the papers was d
vii. drawn in 1856 leaving millions 20 the Rice
lnstirut iH Texas. Later Patrick produced another
viii. alleged 10 have been executed 1y NJ Rice n
June. --H The latter VIII conveyed the Rice mill
ions e. Patrick An attempt was made Immediately
after nj RiCes death o. cash checks for large
suns These checks were apparently signed hy
Mr. Rioe. bur were declared 10 he forged Patrick
said he held papers stsHed by Mr.. Rice. trans
ferrinE al his property. lie wanted 20 have tie
body ~ 2Ir Rice cremateG. exhibiting a letter of
ne deal man, subsequently declared to be forged,
expreszinl n wish for cremation.
Patrick was arrested at first the charge OF
fQrgerg. The arrest was on October f. 1900. and
after ne was shut mp in the Tombs he indicted.
Morris Meyers and David l. Short two men who
had been in his employ in his law Office. were
Festet and indicted about the same time. They
had witnessed the alleged viii OF 1919. The District
Attoraey believed then that Patrick was the head
ions by means Of the forged viii and other docl-
ments- n was suspected however, that Mr.. Rice
mad been killed. although Dr.. Curry, a physician
who had been called TO attend Mr.. Rice. had given
certificate Of death from natural causes. There
was al autopsy the body Of Mr.. Rice, and ii dis
cosec evidences Of foul play.
Jones was arrested as q partner in the con-
splracy and he made confession. declaring that
q ha1 atliei Mr. Rice the iustigatlon OF Patrick.
re satl ne placed cone formed of towel and
Containing sponge saturated with chlorufOTm
eyer III Rtoe's face when Mr. Rice asleep.
DON he Of
Al rUe when il was believed Nj Rice
covering from the effects u mercury which had
teen administered IN the form Of pills Jones tried
u commit suicide after making his confession
us revelations led the Indictment Of Patrick
Of ne charge II murder.
= re Ilzl Of Patrick was begun before Recorder
s5or' De the Court Of General Sessions, January
y as, when Patrick had been prisoner i'm the
TTll14l- awaiting trial more than fifteen months.
ne prosecution conducted by Assistant Dis
s.l-t Attorney James ". Osborne. who the
ttesecaL-r In The OF Roland p. MOlineuX The
q ie3ce vas managed hy r B. House and Robert
The selection % the jury occupied four court days
- me nrst witness for the people called
~~esLL1aFy z The prosecution called seventy-sX wit
eosS-ss. ! ~" testimony ~ Charles +. Jones, who
y'IIessed 10 the actual killing Of ". ". Rice began
-, e.f 3ary = and lasted five court days The de-
49, a"Ean on March and ended on March -.
go "eig witnesses were called for the defence
tSSeIlgk Gid not go on the witness stand.
4. 80 lse thousand pages Of testimony We're taken
- Ae trial Among the witnesses for the prosecu-
.tTe many experts in handwriting and medical
ssef+fSs and il j. believed that the trial will cost