The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-12-18
A PAROLE FOR
"GUS" R|CHEY
Governor Liberates ABbeville
Man.
MUST GIVE BOND IN sum or 5000
To Appear Again Next NOvem-
ber - Reasons for
Clemency.
(From The News and Courier }

| bcC l6.--opCCldls w. n
Richey, white, serving a ten-year sen
tence in the State penitentiary fol
statutory rape, was today paroled by
Governor Blease on the re Iirement
that he enter into bond Of $4,000 tc
be certified to by the clerk Of court OF
Abbeville county, and that he present
himself before the governor on No
vember %, 1913, for such action then
as the governor may deem wise.
Richey was released from the peniten-
tiary this afternoon and left at once
for his home in Abbeville county
where his wife and daughters are.
Richey, a wealthy white planter, OF
| Abbeville county, was convicted OF
statutory rape in the spring Of 1910,
his alleged victim being a young
white girl who was living in his home
and who was said to have been under
| IA years of age at the time the Of
fense was alleged to have been com
mitted.
Recommended by Board.
The board of pardons recommended
parole for Richey and they stated
that the alleged victim appeared with
the matron of the Door Of Hope, where
she is now residing, and declared that
Richey had been sufficiently punished
and asked for clemency. In the rea.
sons given by the governor it is stated
that Richey at present is a hopeless
invalid, unable to leave his bed at the
penitentiary, and several physicians
so pronounced him.
Richey's farm is within few miles
of Abbeville and he is a prominent
planter. The case attracted wide.
spread interest throughout the State
on account of the prominence OF the
man accused. The governor has CIV.
en- out the following as his reasons
for granting parole to Richey:
Reasons for Parole.
"Richey, R. A., convicted at the
spring term, 1910, court Of Abbeville
county, of statutory rape, and SEN
fenced to 10 years Imprisonment in
the State penitentiary.
petition was presented April, 1911
asking for a pardon, signed by large
number of the citizens Of Abbeville
county. Accompanying the same were
affidavits and certificates as to nls
health, but Notwithstanding the nu'
merously signed petition and the
prominence of some Of the names Of
the men appearing thereon, did moi
feel that it was a case where par
don should be granted, neither pa
role: but, however, In view OF thf
statement from Superintendent Grif'
fifth and DR.. r. It. Jennings OF the
penitentiary, and also the separate
opinion of Drs. A. B. Knowlton and
James H. Mcintosh, who made
special and separate examination Of
the defendant; and also OF still
another report signed by DR.. Rolfe 4
Hughes and DR.. VIM. D. Simpson, az
to physical condition of the defendant
and in view of the further fact that II
is stated in said papers, certificates
affidavits, etc., that the said X. A
Richey, since his confinement in the
State penitentiary, has been and is TO-
day q helpless invalid, not being able
TO leave his bed, and even when at
tending the calls Of nature has to be
] handled as q child, and the certih.
Gates of the physicians showing, and
all OF Llem COuCulllA6 Ill tAS
that he can never improve, but Will
continue to languish and finally die II
kept in prison, but that If given the
benefit of air and sunshine that the
probabilities are that he may get well
or at least improve very much ID
health. In view IT the further fact
that notice for motion Of new trial.
upon the grounds of after-discoVered
evidence, has been made, which mo-
ton is to be heard at the February
term of court, 1918, of Abbeville coun-
ty, and upon the following recommen-
dation from the board Of pardens:
Boards Findings.
az.
columbia, S. c., April II, 1872.
His Excellency, Governor Cole l..
Blease, Columbia, S. C.-Dear Sir:
R. A. Richey, Abbeville county, statu-
tory rape, sentenced 10 years, spring
term, 1910:
"The petition is now up for pardon
and is numerously signed by prom
| ,;t;,o., Of tha nnuntv Wl6re