Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-15
THE CASE OF PATRICK
Given a Lease of Life Until
Next Fall.
JUSTICE DAYS DECISION
United States Supreme Court to Take
Up the Matter.
LONG FIGHT AGAINST DEATH
Arrested for Murder of William M.
Rice in 1oOO-Convicted on Testi-
mony Of Alleged Accomplice.
LONG FIGHT AGAINST DEATH

The contest being made by Albert T.
Patrick of New York to escape the electric
chair for the killing of William Marsh Rice
in September. 1900 is regarded as the great
est fight against execution on record
Through the order just signed by Justice
Day of the United States Supreme Court he
Will certainly escape the electric chair until
next fall. Justice Days signature car
ries the case over until the Supreme Court
convenes in Washington In October. and
then the fun court must pass upon the Is
sues involved which may require some
weeks.
Unusual interest has been aroused in the
case OF Patrick. not only on account Of the
Keen legal struggle made by the prisoner,
put from doubt expressed by many as to
his guilt. His conviction rested on the con-
fession and accusation of man who is al
legged to have told a different story after
ward and to have admitted that his con-
i Re In the trial was false. Circumstan-
I,iI evidence however. was strong against
Patrick. and every effort to oyerturn the
jury verdict has been in vain.
The Death of Rice.
The death of William Marsh Rice, an old
and somewhat eccentric millionaire of
Texas, in New York city September %, 1900,
by firm of bankers, who refused to pay
checks aggregating s125oO0 which were
presented by Albert T. Patrick on the fol-
lowing day. The checks apparently had
Deen drawn by Mr.. Rice to the order of
fatrick, lawyer, who had acted as at
.orney for heirs of Mr.. Rice's wife, who
had died in sanatorium in Wisconsin Mr.
Rice had lived alone In rooms in Madison
avenue, his only servant being Charles =.
Jones.
The discovery that the checks were
Forged was followed by the discovery oS a
forged will by which the buIk Of tbe Ptna
estate was left to Patrick in trust. Patrick
and Jones had made preparations to- have
the BODY OF Mr.. Rice cremated. but thew
were prevented, and an autopsy disclosed
evidence of poison
Patrick and Jones were arrested 1rst on
the charge of forgery, but later were in
olcted for murder. Jones confessed that he
mao kliled Mr.. Rice with chloroform at
Patr1cks request, and after confession tried
to XIII himself in the Tombs 1t was main
~ on the testimony of Jones that patrick
was convicted.
Between the time of his conviction and
his sentence Patrick married Mrs. Addie
Francis, In whose home he had been a
ooarder, the contract being signed In pat
rtck's cell in the Tombs. Patrick then IVA g
past middle age.
Patrick was born In Houston Tav rJa
practiced law there before he went to New
YORK city in 1892. Four years later he was
counsel for William H. Moore president of
the Knickerbocker Phosphate Company.
Patrick had Mr.. Moore assign to him IS 500
of the companys notes for collection but
when he obtained the cash he refused to
surrender 1t to Mr. Moore. Just as Mr.
Moore had begun suit against Patrick he
died suddenly.
In 1896 Patrick also represented heirs of
Nh Rices wife. Mrs. Rice left will by
which she bequeathed to her relatives her
alleged dover right in Mr. Riee's estate
Mr. Rice contested the will Patrick pro-
posed a compromise for $4,000 at the same
time agreeing to act as counsel for Mr.
Rice.
In the trial of Patrick it was disclosed
that be did not have any standing as at
torney for Mr. Rice. but had paid frequent
visits to Jones at Mr.. Rice's rooms.
Long Fight Against Death.
The fight against execution made by Pat
rick and his LAWYERS has been summarized
as follows in the New York Tribunes story
of the case:
Arrested October T. 1900
Trial began January 20, 1902
Convicted March 26 1902
Put N death house at Sing Sing Apri T. 1902
Appeal for new trial February TO- 1903
Petition denied by trial court March 8, 1903
Argument before court OF appeals adjourned sec-
ond time, May 20, 1904.
Argument for reopening case. February IL. 1905
Argument for new trial, March IS, 1905.
Court refuses new trial. June o. 1905
Court refuses stay of execution June IL 1905
Execution set for August T. 1905
Motion for reargument and stay Of execution
granted. July "a, 1905.
Resentenced to die. December g. 1905
Governor grants second reprieve January o. 1906
trial. February 49, 1905.
Governor grants new reprieve March 49, 1905
Governor vetoes bill In Patrick's interest May
80 1906.
Recorder Coz denies new trial lima II 1904