The San Francisco call., 1909-10-17
PRISON DIRECTORS
TO FREE BUCKLEY
Mechanic Convicted of Murder
of Rice Is Given Parole
From November |
Governor GiIIett Promises Par
don, but White Plague May
Carry Off Prisoner

William Buckley, convicted in 1902
Of the murder Of George W. Rice. a
nonunion mechanic. who met his death
during the labor troubles of 1901 in
this city. and three times under the
shadow Of the gallows, was paroled by
The board of prison directors at San
Quentin yesterday morning, after hav-
ing spent more than eight years behind
prison bars.
Acting on the recommendation of
Governor Gillett made September 81,
when he commuted Buckley,s sentence
10 j 5 years. the prison directors unani-
mously decided to parole the prisoner.
and Buckley viii be liberated Novem-
her ]. Governor Gillett has stated TO
Frank J. Murphy. attorney for Buckley,
that his client viii receive fun pardon
within two years.
UNIQUE RECORD IN COURT
Buckley's case has been fought out
IN every court in the country. and has
attracted the attention of labor unions
in all the western states and particu-
larly in California. IT has been unique
in the criminal records of the federal
courts. where its consideration has
stretched over a period of five Years. A
year ago every union in the state
Joined in d request 10 the governor for
cIemency.
The crime laid at Buckley's door was
committed at the corner of Twentieth
and Howard streets. and four convic-
tions resulted. Charles Donnelly, Ed
ward Duncan and Thomas Moran were
condemned TO terms in prison. while
Buckley was held by the jury to be the
actual murderer He was sentenced
February =. 1902.
CHINA" COPELAND BLAMED
s. l,.r T1,e
crime was committed by a man named
China" Copeland, desperado. who
confessed his guilt. but so far has es
capped capture. In summing up the evil
dence Governor Gillett made the fol-
lowing statement:
1T appears from the afidavits and
testimony that the killing of Rice was
done by Copeland, and not by Buckley.
OF the truth of this ] am fully satisfied,
and If IL We're not for other facts con-
nected with this affray this opinion
would entitle Buckley TO a complete
pardon. But i'm view of the fact that
Buckley was present a the time of the
killing, his flight and other circum-
stances. I can not but feel justified in
The belief that Buckley was in a degree
culpable.
Il am therefore constrained 10 grant
a commutation of sentence 20 such time
as viii entitle him to immediate par
ole, TO the end that ] may determine by
his conduct outside of the prison walls
whether he is worthy OF complete par
don"
PRISON GUARD SUSPECTS PLOT
Since October !, 1904. during which
time Buckley has been at San Quentin,
many dramatic incidents have occurred
in which the convicted man and his
attorney have appeared as principals.
The federal court, November 16, 1904
saved his life by margin of only 10
hours. when Attorney Murphy. after a
thrilling night dash from san Fran
cisco TO San Quentin. in which he en-
countered innumerable obstacles, sue
ceeded in serving papers on Warden
Hopkins at II o'clock AT night. Muir
phys client was TO have been hanged at
o'clock in the morning. The attempt
Of Murphy 10 reach the prison was re-
Earded by the prison guard as a ruse
10 secure the liberty Of Buckley.
BU CINLEY HAS CONSUMPTION
The last death sentence, following
the end Of federal intervention, was set
hy Judge Lawlor on September Is. Al
though former Governor Pardee had
been appealed TO on several occasions to
intervene, he had refused to interfere
vith the course of the law.
A pathetic feature of the parole of
Buckley is the fact that he viii not
live TO enjoy his liberty for any great
length Of time. Attorney Murphy states
that his client has contracted consume
hon during the long period of incarcer-
alton 10 which he has been subjected.