Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-09-29
The Pardon Ca ses.

The EGaneil meeting WIS called II
afaer at la.92 4. NJ, BY Chairman
Winslow. All OF the councillors were
present amt practically ali the bust
ness that VAS Transacted ~ the fore
noon session WAS the consideration 81
a5rdGn matters
fho petition FOR the pardon OF Mel
IN Bessey OF Bowdoinham. Who is
serving a he sentence in states pris-
N for The murder of his wife. Was, at
sbe request al the council FOR the pc
itener. Hon. George l. Weeks Of
Fairfield, continued until the NoFem-
ocr meeting. The ease OF Frank j.
Palmer. who is serving q lie sentence
n the states prison at Thomasten Tor
he murder OF BETSY Hobbs Of Par
'onsheld, which was 10 have como ur
tor further consideration at the sep
terlber meeting was at tie request
of Councillor 'kinball who had been
Investigating the cast, continued until
the October meeting The case al
Iames O'ConueH Of Lewiston. who is
serving a three years term 70" lar
csnY, WIS also continued until the
October NEE ting.
Tie first pardon ease to tie heard,
Thursday, was upon the petition Of
Iohn E. Hackett OF Etna Who has
served four years of a lo-year SEN
tencc fer the crime of incest Forest
J. Martin Of Bangor appeared as
counsel for the petition. The counsel
stated that the petitioner was about
81 years of age and was convicted
h. a. hi
daughter who was II or is years of
age .; the time of the tsial and whom
he alleged was mentally unbalanced.
He said that Mr.. Hackett had an aged
mother in Carmel who needed his
support and that the petitioner had
always maintained his innocence He
also presented a petition for The par
den Of Haekett signed by 222 resi-
dents of Carmel and Eina Including
municipal officers and jurors. He
argued that the sentence was excess
sive even if the man was guilty.
George l.. Thompson of Bangor.
comfy attorney Of Penobseot county,
|appcared in opposition to the pardon.
He related The story of the crime as
told him by the wife and daughter OF
iiitEtll dHC Sdlu lildt bplU NOHleH
had requested him TO protest towards
the granting Of the pardon. Tine pc
titioa was tabled for executive SEES
sion
Harry +. Nixon of Portland APP
poarcG before the Council in favor
Of thC petition Of Paul Castor who
had been convicted Of being access
cory before the fact in larceny case
involving tn theft Of the Castner
diamonds from the West End hotel
in Portland and WHO was given a
i've year sentence in the state prison.
Attorney Nixon pointed ont that the
conviction was secured upon the tesu-
mony IF Earl lldburt, alias Earl Dun
lar. who turned states evidence and
stated that Castor induced him to
commit the crime. He said fdburt
had twice before been convicted of lar
ocny and that Il Mr. and HRS. Vaughan
who were connected with The case
vera let off without punishment. Mrs.
Castor, wife of the petitioner, was
given four years and her sentence had
now expired. Castor is noW 10 years
Of age and the counsel argued that
the sentence of five years in his case
was equivalent to life imprisonment
ard was too severe. lie CHARACTERIZED
the prisoner as g harmless, inofTen.
eive ola man who had but a few years
10 live. II developed in response to
inquiry by Councillor Turgeon that