Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-09-21
Attorneys for Convicted Physician
Are Now Asking for Com
mutation Of Sentence.
SLAT0N SUMS EVIDENCE
Governor Is Centering Considera-
ton on Manner in Which
Arsenic Was Taken,

Illicit relations existed be-
tween the wife of Fred Flanders
and Dr.. w. J. McNaughton;
Or. McNaughton administered
the medicine to Flanders;
Approximately ten grains of
arsenic were found by physicians
in Flanders body, if computed on
the basis Of the three-quarters of
grain of the poison found in the
dead mans stomach.
Governor John NJ. Slaton, who will
decide the fate of DIR. W. J. Nc
Naughton, sentenced to be hanged
on October for the poisoning of
Fred Flanders, in the above manner
summed up the case against the
Emanuel County physician Satur-
day when the final pleas on the rec
ommendation for a full pardon made
by the Prison Commission We're COM
pleted by attorneys for McNaughton
and the State. Governor Slaton said
that he would render his decision
this week.
Undoubtedly the McNaughton case
has proved the most difficult eXpe-
rienCed by the Governor during his
short life as the Chief Executive of
the State
Following q nineteen hour hearing
Of the case, the Governor expressed
mis- desire to review the case again,
and the attorneys for both the CON
demned physician and the State are
equally confident that the Cover
nor's action will be in their favor
All the indications are against a full
pardon for the prisoner.
McNaughtOn faces three things: A
Lull pardon, a life sentence or the
Governors refusal to set aside the
ruling of the courts which have ad-
Judged him guilty of plot to poison
Flanders with arsenic and have
spoken death as the penalty he shall
pay.
Ask For Communication.
ReCullar feature of the plea for
executive clemency as filed by Nc
Naughtons lawyers was the simple
request for a Communication of SEN
tence, the question of a full pardon
not being mentioned. A majority of
the Prison Commission in its recon-
mendatiOn, however, went beyond the7
plea and recommended the granting
Of full pardon.
From the questions asked by Gov
crnOr SlatOn of the lawyers and wit
nesses summoned before him, he is
centering his consideration directly
upon the manner in which the arsenic
was taken by Fred Flanders The
Governors pointed question of Attor-
uey Bennett as to why McNaughtOn
did not discover traces of the arsenic
poisoning in his patient, as the
amount found indicated clearly that
II had been in his system for several
days, was regarded by the States
attorneys as an indication that the
Governor would not use the exeCu-
tive clemency repOsed in him and
respite McNaughton's sentence.
What was arsenic doing in Fred
FLANDERS system? Where did it come
from?" the Governor asked of Attor-
ney John w. Bennett, of Waycross.
one of McNaughtons attorneys, dur
ing the closing arguments Saturday.
1t was the contention of the de-
Tense that proof of the existence of
arsenic in Flanders body rested with
the prosecution. In answer to this.
Governor Slaton summed up his view
Of the case:
Two witnesses have sworn to
llhclt relations having existed be-
+ 1dQUpIS
wife-utterly objectionable, he said.
They supply the motive. You have
got the fact that DR.. McNaughton
administered the medicines to the
dying man, and you have got DR..
Eberhardt'S testimony that there was
seven eighths of a grain of arsenic in
fourteen pounds of Flanders inter
mails, which, Appropriated would
equal ten grains of the poison in the
mans entire body. Then, too, there
IL the fact that DR.. MCNaughton own
ed the only drug store in Coyena"
Calls Attention to Druus.
Attorney Bennett objected To the
testimony Of one witness, who de- |
hlared that he had seen DR.. Nc
Naughton and Mrs. Flanders go into
the front room of the house together, |
'haracteriZing it as too unreasonable |
for common sense to believe. Mr.
6ennett also called to mind the tes-
iimony of citizens of ThomasyiIIe to |
The effect that Flanders had taken +,
great quantities of drugs while there
IN tour of inspection of lumber !
properties, and had made the remark
hat This is going to kill me some |
day"
DR.. w. J. Bell, of Atlanta. also
stated that he questioned the ten
Grains of arsenic calculated to have |
Itei 1ouuu III fIdnuerS' body by DR. |
Eberhardt.
We have shown that it was nos
Sible that Flanders took some arsenic |
n medicine at Thomasville. or in pills |
It home" said Attorney Bennett /
Why, scientists say there's arsenic |
even in vegetables-in beans"
And you know" replied Governor |
Slaton smilingly, they say there's |
gold in the ocean, Mr.. Bennett. But !
It is not reasonable to consider a |
conjecture like that in a case like
this"
The hearing closed at noon and
Governor Slaton Immediately took up |
the consideration of the case. Be /
fore going to his chambers. however
ne announced that he had come to no !
decision during the hearing.
70 MAKE ROPE FROM PINE.