The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-08
SAYS II WAS AGREED THAT HE SHOULD BE TRIED ON ONLY ONE CHARGE AGAINST HIM fudge Brown Places Sen. tence of Ten Years in the Penitentiary on Former
 Convict Clerk GOVERNOR AND
 SPECIAL COUNSEL
 DENY AGREEMENT Issue Statements Declaring Charge Is Without FoundatiOn-Statemen Causes Widespread Sensation
 Over State-Judge to
 Consider Matter
By l.. 2. BETTY

Montgomery. March 7.-(Special) After he had been sentenced by Judge Armstead Brown to serve 10 years in the penitentiary for the embexzlement of *5O.O00 of stntc funds, Theodore Lacy. former chief clerk of the con vict department. this morning nskcd the court to dismiss the other cases against him on the ground that there was agreement entered into be- tween his attorney and the governor of Alabama whereby he should be tried on only one case provided he would surrender himself into the hands of the law.
 As soon as it was learned at the capitol that Lacy had made this statement the lovernor at once issued vigorous denial. Another strong denial came from Daniel w. Troy, special counsel for the state, who was mentioned by Lacy as one of the parties to the agreement
 LACY'S STATEMENT
 CAUSED SENSATION
 Iacy's statement. the first he has made in open court w;is made iinrnedi- stely after Judge Brown had sentenced linn to 10 ears imprisonment, ard fur nisied one oi the senssesiofcs of the ceie- brated trial
 The statement was immediately chal- ltnged by Solicitor William T. Seibels of Montgomery who declared that no agree Tnent had been entered into whicl, would in any way compromise the interest of the state. MT. Seibels stared to the court that certain propositions looking to Lacy's return had been made to him. but that these propositions contemplated that Lacy would return in good faith, restore the money he had sto;en. and attempt to make other reparation for his crime This proposition according to Solicitor Seibels, was not in the light of an agree mcnt. but one which involved the return of the stolen property and other evi- dences of good faiti on the part of the eormer chief clerk of the convict depart ment, towards helping D: the prosecution and conviction of anyone who might have been implicated with him. Under these conditions, proposition had been made to try Lacy under one indictment.
 Since Lacy has not returned the stolen property, or made any effort. so far as can be ascertained. to aid the state in sonvicting others, the state is determined 10 prosecute nm undcT the other Indict- ments and. if possible, to impose the maximum penalty under each conviction.
 crowd began to gather at the court house long before the hour fixed for the court to sentence Lacy, and when he arose to hear his sentence the crowd bent forward in eager expectancy. MAKES NO ANSWER
 T0 QUESTIONS
 When Judge Brown asked Lacy if he \ had anything to say as to why he should not be sentenced, Lacy replied that he had not.
 Judge Brown then said
 Lacy. the charge under which you have been convicted is serious one. one of the most serious in the history of Alabama. You have been convicted by jury of embedding the largest sum of money that has been embezzled by anyone in this state during the present generation. The law fixes the maximum penalty at 10 years. and must impose that sentence"
 Following this statement. Lacy said: have the other cases against me mol pressed for the reason that there was an agreement entered into with the gov ernor of this state that should be tried on one case"
 Solicitor Seibels then told the court that if any agreement had been entered into it was not one that would compromise the interest of the state
 Lacy replied that the agreement had ~~~~~~~~~~~~~---