Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-09-21
NJ NAUGHTON'S
HOPE FOR FULL
PARDONSLENDER
i,torneys for Convicted Physician
Are Now Asking for CON-
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 Or. w. J. McNaughton;
DR.. 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 viii
decide the fate of DIR. ". 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 fun pardon made
by the Prison Commission were com.
pleted by attorneys for McNaughton
and the State. Governor Slaton sad
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 a nineteen hour hearing
Of the case, the Governor expressed
bis desire to review the case again.
and the attorneys for both the con-
Ion 4 toto
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
full 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
ily.
Ask For Communication.
peculiar feature of the plea for
exc utiye clemenCy as filed by Nc
Eaughton's lawyers was the simple
request for a Communication Of SEN
teuce, the question of full pardon
not being mentioned. \ majority of
the Prison Commission i'm its recon-
mendation. however, went beyond the
plea and recommended The granting
Of a full pardon.
From the questions asked by Gov
ernor Slaton of the lawyers and wit
uesses summoned before him, ne is
centering his consideration directly
upon the manner in which the arsenic
was taken by Fred Flanders. Tne
Governors pointed question of AttoT-
ney Bennett as to why MCNaughton
did not discover traces of the arsenic
poisoning in his patient, as the
amount found indicated clearly that
It 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 ClemeuCy 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 MCNauShton' attorneys. dur
ing the closing arguments Saturday
IT was the contention of the de-
Tense that proof of the existence of
arsenic III Flanders body rested with
the prosecution. In answer to this,
Governor Slaton summed up his view
Of the case:
Two witnesses have sworn to
Illicit relations having existed be
tween McNaughton and Flanders
vife-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.
EOerhardts testimony that there was
seven eighths of a grain of arsenic in
fourteen pounds of Flanders inter-
nails, which, Appropriated would
equal ten grains of the poison in the
mans entire body. Then, too, there
is the fact that DIR. McNaughton own
ed the only drug store in Covena."
Calls Attention to Drugs.
Attorney Bennett objected to the
testimony of one witness, who de-
ciared that he had seen DR. Nc
NaughtoT and Mrs. Flanders go into
the front room of the house together.
"haraCterizing it as too unreasonable
Tor common sense to believe Mr..
Bennett also called to mind the tes-
tiInUny Of citizens of ThomasViIle TO
the effect that Flanders had taken
great quantities of drugs while there
on tour of inspection of lumber
properties, and had made the remark
that This is going to kill me some
day"
Or. W. J. Bell, Of Atlanta. also
stated that he questioned the ten
grains Of arsenic calculated to have
been found in Flanders body by DR..
Eberhardt.
we have shown that it was pos
libe that Flanders took some arsenic
n medicine at Thomasville, or in pills
Al home" said Attorney Bennett
Why, scientists say there's arsenic
wen III Yegetables-in beans"
And you know" replied Governor
Slaton smilingly they say there's
gold in the ocean. Mr.. Bennett. But
{ is not reasonable to consider a
conjecture like that in a case like
his
The hearing closed at noon and
Governor Slaton Immediately took up
he consideration of the case. Be
'ore going to his chambers, however.
he announced that he had come to no
iecision during the hearing.
To MAKE R0PE FROM DINE