Evening journal., 1911-07-10
ROBERTS ASKS
FOR MORE TIME
Tells Governor He Hopes to be
Able TO Show Bis
Innocence
THANKS PUBLIC FOR
INTEREST In APPEAL

Reese Roberts colored, the alleged
slayer Of Mrs Ann Casey, at Clay
mont last August, has written two
letters, one to Governor Pennewill
praying that he grant him another re-
prieve so that j. Frank Ball, his at
torney, might make further investiga-
ton Of evidence in his behalf and the
other to the public
In his letter 10 Governor Pennewill,
Roberts declared that he is innocent
of the crime for which he has been
condemned to death In his letter 10
the people he hopes to interest thom
in his behalf Judging from the tone
Of this letter Roberts is still I'm
doubt as to his ultimate fate. The
letter is written on tablet paper with
a pencil and with the exception Of
few mispelled words IL shows that
Roberts possesses a fair education
The petition OF Roberts to Governor
Pennewill follows.
Wilmington, Del. July z, 1911
To His Excellency, Simeon S. PEN
newill, Governor Of the State Of Della
wars. have been informed by my
attorney that he was unable TO pre-
sent my case before the Board Of
Pardons on Thursday, July 6. because
he was unable in the time given, TO
secure additional evidence to that
which had been already laid before
It at a former hearing. I am firmly
convinced, and my attorney informs
me that this conviction Is shared by
him, that ! viii be able TO establish
to the complete satisfaction Of the
Board Of Pardons my entire innocence
OF the charge for which / have been
convicted, If Your Excellency will fur
ther extend TO me additional time 10
enable my attorney to complete his
investigation. Although I have been
convicted by a jury Of this awful
crime. / most respectfully saw TO YOU
IN the strongest language possible for
a man to use, ] am absolutely inno-
cent and know nothing about il.
fully appreciate and sincerely
thank you for the mercy you have al |
ready extended to me, but | do now
beseech YOU that you grant to me, an |
Innocent man, a further opportunity /
OF proving my innocence / say to /
you most truthfully that my request /
10 you for further time is not prompt !
ed through fear of what may happen /
10 me I'm case you should refuse my
request. but wholly on the ground that /
an innocent man should not suffer to
be put to death for a crime that he
never committed.
Praying that you may grant this.
my petition, ] am,
Most respectfully,
Witness.
Leonard Crawford, warden.
This is a copy Of the letter sent to |
the public by the condemned man:
New Castle County Workhouse.
0reeDbank, Del, July 8, 1911.
am now confined in prison charg-
ed with crime that God knows that
! don't know anything about / am
an innocent man and have been sem
fenced TO death. But | am glad that
God sees and knows all things and
have taken my troubles to Jesus
and He has made my prison life
happy one and l have placed my
future in the hands Of God and Il
know He will take care Of me. He
has made a man out Of me and the
old things have passed away and all
things have become new. And may
God bless you, good Christian people,
and give you health and strength to
bring souls to His kingdom, and I
thank you for the interest you have
taken I'm me. I promise II It is Gods
viii for me 10 come out of here and
with Gods help 10 prove that your
interest IN me has not been mis-
placed
chance is all that I ask for to
prove what God can do for a sinner. |
Please pray for my deliverance and |
God viii help us. And ! also thank /
my attorney. Hon. J. Frank Ball, for
the service he has been to me. No |
man could have done better and may
God bless him and guide him through /
life And / thank God for the kind /
treatment ] am getting in the prison /
from the officials. Let Gods will be |
done, not our.
Reese Roberts