Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-08-27

reading fully the evidence in the case,
the opinion of the judges aud the SUI
preme Court of Appeals, and especially
the additional evidence fled as 10 the
guilt of the prisoner, and considering
the fact that the assault was committed
between and $50 O'Clock, when il was
dark and difficult to clearly aud definite
ly identify persons, il hiss established in
my mind serious doubt IS to The identi-
ty and guilt Of the prisoner.
'1n addition the foreman of the jury,
person of unusual intelligence aud fair
ness, and great many OF the il huential
citizens of Alexandria county, requested
that this Communication be granted on ac-
count of the doubt as 20 the Identified
ton of the prisoner. Hence, conceive
it to be my duty to commute the death
penalty in this case to imprisonment for
life.
81 have filed before me as new and ad-
ditional evidence the affidavils of nine
persons, whose evidence, if true, would
show that the prisoner could not have
been present when the assault was COM
mitted. The evidence OF these nine wit
nesses establish an slibi, which creates
a serious doubt as to the identification
of Joseph Thomas, alias John Wright, as
the party who committed the assault.
These nine witnesses all concur in testi-
flying that they saw Joseph Thomas,
alias John Wright, the prisoner, prior TO
s O'Clock and until about 9 O clock, dur
ing which time the assault was COM
mitted.
"The fact that the original evidence
before the court and jury Induced two
members of the Court of Appeals to de-
clare it was insufficient Identification Of
the prisoner creates in my mind, with
he additional new evidence filed, Sc
riOus doubt, which cannot permit me to
have the prisoner in this case executed.
"By committing his sentence to life
imprisonment, an opportunity is given
him to have this doubt ard conflict OF
testimony between various witnesses at
sine time satisfactorily settled.
"If in the future developments should
be such as TO clearly remove the serious
doubts in this case and the innocence
of the prisoner should be established, all
those concerned in the trial and execu-
ton of this prisoner you'd deplore their
action in the matter
"The additional evidence, supplement-
ing the original evidence, produces in
my mind such strong doubt of the
Identification OF the prisoner az the
party who committed the assault that |
feel | would be rcCeaut to my Guty as
governor if | should permit this poor,
friendless negro to be executed"
Commenting on the action of the Gov
ernor the Richmond Journal says:
"The Governor has had the case in
hsnd for about two weeks snd during
that time has given it extensive and
profound confederation. His announce
ment this morning will cause some sur
prise, inasmuch as no Communication was
expected by the public at large. The
case aG It now stands is not lacking IN
dramatic interest. That there will be
certain sensational dscl lsures connected
with evidence adduced in the trial of
the negro was announced yesterday
afternoon by Attorney James b. Glenn
ents, of AleEandria, who has been work
ing hard in the behalf Of he condemned
man since his alleged Identification"
Thomas had been sentenced to hang
next Friday. 10 order to ensure safe
delivery of the Official papers in the
case, special messenger will be dele
gated TO bear them to the Alexandra
county Jail in order that the sheriff
may receive the Communication notice be-
fore Friday.
81 shall prove a deliberate and we'll
,oncOcted scheme Of conspiracy to bring
he negro, Thomas, to the gallOws,"
declared Mr.. Clements yesterday,
after hel had emerged from
he Office of Governor Swanson, with !
whom be had been in consultation for |
3tNbTdl n II lao ONpb /
made to have an innocent man hanged |
aud | shall make it my duty to bring |
he gully conspirators to justice. The
names of the men suspect? No, | can
not tell you that; it would be premature.
But shall make the thing public at the
proper time. And then it will be a
,ase of righting the wrongs of the con-
lemued negro, yindicating his good
lame, and having sentence passed upon
he conspirators. ! have not the least
Ioubt in the world but that long before
'ears have passed, Thomas will have
,een psrdoned. Strange as it may ap-
,esr, no negroes are suspected 10 this
They are all white men.
shall prove all this in good time"
The assault on Miss Risley, now Mrs.
iooding, of Washington, was committed
ast September. Thomas was arrested
nd was tried in the Alexandria county
curt, and was sentenced to hang for
is crime on December 18th. His at
orney, Mr.. Clements, appealed the case
D the Supreme Court OF Appeals, and
o the early spring that body affirmed
he decision of the lower court by vote
{ three TO two, the decision being az
med by Judges Keith, Harrison and
'uchanan. The dissenting opinion was
gned by Judges Oardwell and Whittle.
DON thereafter Thomas was resentenced
, hang May Slst. The matter was next
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