The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-04
Conditional Release Is
Granted G. L. Hancock,
Who Pleaded Guilty.
HAD FIFTY POUNDS
OF DEADLY DRUG
Police Regard Pardon as Severe
Blow to Efforts to Check Co.
caine Evil-Many Newport
News People Signed
the Petition for
Clemency.

| c. l.. Hancock, the retired Newport
News druggist, who on November 81
plead guilty before Judge D. C. Rich
charge of unlawfulIy having cocaine in
his possession, and who was given a
term OF one year in the State penitcn-
tiary. was granted a conditional pnr-
don by Governor Mann at 3:3o o'clock
yesterday afternoon. and was released
from the city Jail. Mrs. Hancock, who
had brought a petition TO the Cover
nor. accompanied hcr husband home
Oh an afternoon train.
The petition asking clemcncy Of Gov :
crnor Mann was signed by several
hundred professional and business men,
and by several members OF the bar
OF Newport News it stated that Han
cock had always borne n good reputa- =
/ tion and had never been in any trouble
J heretofore. On the strength of the pc :
tition and the good reputation proved
I for Hancock, Governor Mann decided to
give him another chance, ana GRANTED
the pardon which is conditional If
! Hancock violates any OF the penal laws
OF the state he will he recomnlitted
& to the state prison.
! Hancock was sentenced after n brief
hearing on the charge Of peddiing
cocaine. y delegation OF citizens from
Newport News was in the courtroom
ready to testify to his good character.
but his plea Of guilty prevented a
lengthy proceeding.
Fell Into Trnp.
Hancock WAS arrested NJ Foushen
and Broad Streets last August, as he
was stepping into an automobile, pre-
paiinE TO make q tour to dispose of
ATTY pounds OF the drug which he had
brough: To Eichmond in "A handbag.
/ While his arrest was effected quietly
IT had some spectacular points. prtec-
/ tive-SerEeants Wiley and keilaln and
Detectives G. =. Smith and Bryant had
carefully laid q trap for the former
druggist. Wiley had talked with hin,
by long distance telephone. represent
I ing himself as customer seeking to
buy cocaine. ana made an engagement
to meet him here. In this manner the
detectives learned when to look for
him, and his arrest followed.
Hancock never explained why he
took up the occupation of trafficlliny
in cocaine. In Police Court his trial
was continued from time TO time. and
he was released each time under heavy
bail, supplied by his wife. He finally
waived n preliminary examination and
the case was sent 10 the Hastings
Court, where he entered the plea OF
guilty.
The police were amazed last night
when they learned OF Governor Mann s
action. Sergeant Wiley was dumfound- :
ed when told that Hancock had LEFT
the Jail ana gone TO Newport News with
his wife.
! It's severe blow to the police -
he said. We spent a lot OF time,
money and hard work in catching this
cocaine king and in securing his con
viction. l thought 1t highly probable
that his penitentiary sentence would
be commuted TO n term in jail, but
20 let him 20 scotfree is more than
| anticipated"
| Hancock's arrest and his subsequent
plea of guilty We're regarded by the
police as the severest blow which had
been dealt the cocaine traffic in Rich
mond IN n long while. Because OF
the enormous quantity of the drug he
had with him, Hancock was promptly
characterized as the cocaine king