The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-03-06
WEEPS As
he FIGHTS FOR
FREEDOM
"GIvE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME
DEATH" PRISONER EXCLAIMED
IN SUPREME COURT SHOUTS
iNcoHERENT ACCUSATIONS.

NEW YORK, March 6-Frends to-
day are wondering II the long impris-
onment in Sing Sing has unbalanced
the mind of Albert T. Patrick, convict
ed OF he murder OF VIM. Marsh Rice.
the Texas millionaire, ten years ago
Patrick argued his application for free
dom in a habeas corpus proceeding
before the appellate division OF the
supreme court In Brooklyn. yesterday
He shouted fncoherent and amazing
accusations at Recorder Con. who pre-
sided over Patrick's trial for the muir
der OF Rice, and against District At
torney Jerome and everybody else con-
nected with the prosecution. He wan
dered far from the point on which
the court had asked him TO argue and
apparently wanted the appellate divis-
ion 10 review. the findings Of the court
~ appeals, the court Of last resort,
which already has passed on his case.
AT times he wept. Again he turned
TO the spectators In the court and IA r
rGngued them. Again he addressed
iDvectiyes To Assistant District
Attorney Taylor, who appeared TO
oppose his release. Once, at least the
presiding judge had 10 interrupt and
call him To order.
He rambed through his argument
u least four times during the three
and half hours be was Oh his feet.
Even the justices grew drowsy toward
The end and jumped with start each
time he Numbered out the old accusa-
tons in "a more vociferous way.
Throughout mis- argument Patrick
referred To himself as The relator
aud never in the first person.
har hpfDTp
honor" he said. because the penai
sentence passed upon the relator Is
more horrible than the death sentence
could possibly be"
Al another point he said: The trial
or the relator was d conspiracy. The
Rice estate spent s3,000,000 and the
county of New York spent SlOO.OOO 10
send the relator TO his death
When a dishonest Judge and dis
trict attorney can railroad an innocent
man To prison notwithstanding scru-
fny of the facts shows him TO be per-
sectly innocent then. indeed. the
foundations OF our liberties are imperil-
ed
Patrick was addressing the specta-
tors mt this point and Justice jerks
aomonished him To address the court.
Patrick apologized. but was soon turn
ing around and stretching out his arms
TO the spectators again.
When he at length turned TO the
consideration of the illegalty OF the
Communication the justices Strengthened
mp. Patrick dropped all his previous
Argument against the ilegality or his
conviction and assumed, as he said.
Tor the purpose OF MS argument, that
his conviction was legal He said tn
the governor had no right to commute
n sentence OF death without the con
sent of the relator.
District Attorney Taylor, replying,
said:
las q matter OF law or fact, th'
reiator must either stand by the com
mutation OF his sentence or repudlate
IT, Logically or legally, the matter
stands thus: Either the relator was
legally spared the death penalty or ne
was not,.-And II he was. not, the. com,
mutation Is void, and as tnougH IL nau
never BEEN
"Giye me liberty or give me
death" interrupted Patrick at the top
M his voice. jumping up and waving
lis arms. =,
.:Please do not interrupt me-" said
Mr.. Taylor.
Patrick sat down and Mr.. Taylor con-
tinued. saying gravely that II Patrick
repudiated the Communication OF his sen'
fence there only remained the carry
ing out OF the sentence originally I'M
posed, death Ii might sound cruel To
argue so. Mr. Taylor said but the re-
lator had left him no choice.
Mrs. Patrick sat beside her husband
I'm court. She seemed much affected
by what he said and his manner or
addressing the court
AT the conclusion OF the arguments
the court announced that two weeks
would be given for the filing or briefs.
patrick was taken back To Sing Sing.