The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-06-20
HAMILTON TO Die
IN CHAIR FRIDAY
Governor Mann Cannot See His
Way Clear to Interfere With
Laws Sentence.
DOOMED MAN AFFECTED
Condemned Prisoner Believed
any Respites in His Case Meant
Communication or Pardon.
DOOMED MAN AFFECTED

Angelo Hamilton must die in the
electric chair Friday morning. Govern
or Mann having announced Monday
morning that he would not interfere in
the case.
When informed of the Governors de-
cision by ruards at the penitentlary
Hamilton was deeply affected. as he
had inferred from the several re-
spites granted him, and the interest
the chief executive had manifested I'm
his case that he would escape the aw-
fui penalty in the chair.
Since his incarceration in the peni-
tentary awaiting his doom, Hamilton
has learned TO read and write and Pc
rused the bible several hours daily.
Governor Mann said Monday that the
condemned man had his deepest SYM
pathy.
Preparing to Meet Fats.
s'ssss4 issEw busted lsinss~1k ufeHm<tMw To
meet his Maker instead sDfs, condemn
ing the court and jury which con-
yicted HIM" said Governor Mann" I
have never seen Hamilton, but all the
reports | have received about him have
been complimentary. He has proven
model prisoner and thorough man.
regret that the facts in the case viii
not permit of my interfering.
My decision now Is that / Will not
interfere. but should anything strongly
favorable 10 Hamilton turn up between
now and Friday. / may grant him
another respite. However, l have CIV
en- considerable time and attention TO
his case and investigated II thoroughly
and cannot find sufficient reason Tor
Communication for pardon"
Hamilton was convicted OF murder in
the first degree last fall by jury in
the Corporation Court of Lynchburg.
the crime being the killing of Mrs.
Sallie Hicks In July last.
According to witnesses Hamilton
went to a picnic which was attended
by many men, women and children
while drunk and armed with re-
volver. After imbibing more freely al
the picnic, he drew his revolver
it about his head and threatened TO
shoot someone. but mentioned no one
in particular. He discharged the
weapon twice. both bullet strickinE
Mrs. Hicks. one of the pieniekers, In
the back and killing her.
The first Jury which tried Hamilton
failed to agree. The second, however.
convicted him OF murder in the first
degree. His case was taken to the
supreme court of appeals. but without
avail.
Sisters Brave Efforts.
Hamiiton's sister then began an
earnest campaign to save his life. The
sister maintained that the shooting
was accidental and furnished her
brothers attorneys with the name and
whereabouts of John Armstrong. who
was present when Mrs, Hicks was
killed. and informed them that he
would make an affidavit to that effect.
Armstrong made an AFFIDAVIT in
which he said Hamilton fired two bull
let's into the air and did not know
Mrs Hicks was anywhere near.
Governor Mann read this affidavit
with@ interest. Meanwhile the attor-
neys showed copies Of the affidavit to
the members of the jury which con-
victed Hamilton. Eight or them sign
ed a petition for Communication OF
Hamilton's sentence, saying that II
Armstrong had told the same story
on the stand as was contained in his
affidavit they would NOT have convict
ed him of murder in the first degree,
Judge Christian and Commonwealth 4
Attorney Yancey opposed pardon or
Communication.