The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1906-08-11

court of appeals to 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-
airy y of this year. Then Patrick made
a personal appeal to Gov. Higgins for a
stay OF execution. The appeal was de-
MED. Patrick then made a public APP
peal for a square DEAL This was on
December %. Time was getting short
and Patrick's resources seemed ex-
hausted.
As result of Patrick's appeal many
petitions reached Gov. Higgins on De-
cember 30, asking him to save Patrick's
lie. Patrick followed these with an
other appeal to the governor for a stay
Of execution, but this, too, the COVER
nor refused to grant.
When January Is came and Patricl'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 discorered evil
denee. His fight for new t. i began
before Recorder Golf on February q
and ended disastrously, one of the Tex
an witnesses being arrested and sent to
jail for perjury.
On March II, one week from the date
OF execution, Patrick received another
reprieye, this time to May Il, and ca,
May Ia, with the day of execution one
week away once more, Gov. Higgins
granted a further respite to Jane 1s.
Gov. Higgins dealt Patrick a hard
blow on May 80 by vetoing a legislative
bill passed at Albany which would have
permitted him to obtain easily a new
trial on the grounds of newly diseoy-
cred evidence
Another very hard blow came ON
June Ii, when Recorder Cor handed
down a decision denying Patrickss mo-
ton for a new trial. Patrick apparent
ly had reached his last ditch. He was
to die within week.
But on June IL a writ of error was
granted on his application to the Unit
ed States supreme court. This acted as
a stay of execution and is not returna-
bic 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 peeuniary 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 teehnicaIfties devised BY
Patrick. The states attorneys Office I
would be glad to have him liberated or +
the death sentence 50 long delayed,
carried out.
The case shows as perhaps never be-
fore in criminal history how easily
man of resources can eYaGe punish +