The Lamar register., 1906-07-25

court of appeals amend the record
of decision in the case. His motion was
denied. Matters began to look grave.
On July 6 Justice Rogers called Pat
rick to the bar in the criminal branch
of the supreme court and sentenced
him to die in the week beginning Janu-
ary % of this year. Then Patrick made
personal appeal to Gov. Higgins for n
stay of execution The appeal was de-
MED. Patrick then made a public ap-
peal for "a square deal" This was on
| December %. Time was getting short
and PatricEs resources seemed ex-
hausted.
As result of Patrick's appeal many
petitions reached Gov. Higgins on De-
cenber 30, asking him to save Patrick s
I life. Patrick followed these with an
other appeal to the governor for stay
oil execution, but this, too, the COVER
nor refused to grant.
When January Is came and Patrick's
execution was only distant seven days,
the governor granted Patrick an extern
sion to March 10 in order that he might
present the testimony of the Texan wit
nesses who came to New York city la
ter to tell what Valet Jones had told
them about Patrick's innocence.
Patrick waited until February is be-
fore filing his motion for new trial on
the grounds of newly discovered evil
dence. His fight for new t Il began
before Recorder Goff on February 81
and ended disastrously, one of the Tex
an witnesses being arrested and sent to
| Jail for perjury.
On March 70. one week from the date
of execution. Patrick received another
reprieve, this time to May Il, and on
May IA. with the day of execution one
week away once more. Gov Higgins
granted further respite to June 1s.
Gov. Higgins dealt Patrick n hard
blow on May 80 by vetoing legislative
bill passed at Albany which would have
permitted him to obtain easily new
| trial on the grounds of newly discov-
cred evidence.
Another very hard blow came on
June IL. when Recorder Goff handed
down decision denying Patrick's mo-
tion for a new trial. Patrick apparent
ly had reached his last ditch. He was
to die within week.
But on June 12 writ of error was
granted on his application to the Unit
ed States supreme court. This acted as
stay of execution and is not returna-
BILE until the October term of court
IN his prolonged fight Patrick has
had the assistance of many celebrated
attorneys. but almost every move made
has been at his own suggestion or that
of Attorney Bell Thomas. who has been
his most constant adviser.
Public sentiment in New York has
been a great factor in the case. That
Rice was murdered has been proved be-
yond all doubt, but many believe the
millionaire's valet, Jones was the as
sassin Both Patrick and Jones bene-
| flied in a pecuniary way through the
death of Rice.
During his stay in jail Patrick has
made himself the idol of the prisoners,
acting as their legal adviser in many
cases. His knowledge of the law is
profound. and many criminal. it is
alleged. has attained his liberty
through clever technicalitics devised by
Patrick The states attorneys Office
would be glad to have him liberated or
the death sentence. so long delayed,
carried out
The case shows as perhaps never be-
fore in criminal history how easily a
man of resources can evade punish
ment for his misdeeds.