Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-01-22
NJ 'MEEN FAILS To
GAIN A PARDON
Juniata County Man Will Stay in
Penitentiary-Hot Argu-
ments Made

The State Board of Pardons for the
second time in four years refused to
open the prison doors for William
Josiah McMeen, convicted of poison
ing his wife in 1886 at Port Royal
announcing last night that it did not
deem the case one in which to exer-
else clemency. This action was taken
after hearing of the application made
IN behalf of McMeen by Senator e. E.
Beidleman had developed pronounced
opposition to the recommendation of
pardon on the part of District At
torney Graybill, of Juniata county.
VINO said that the majority of the
people of the county would resent
| pardon.
senator Beidleman declared that
McMeen had been model prisoner
since sent to the western penitentiary
IN 1897 and that there were grave
elements of doubt in the conviction
OF McMeen and that it was only on
circumstantial evidence anyway. The
board of 1909 refused to recommend
pardon for McMeen, but last year
the present board granted a rehear-
ing.
Senator Beidlemans arguments
We're attacked by Mr. Graybill, who
declared that the people of that
county feared the return of McMeen.
whom he declared was one of the
sporty men of the community be-
rore his conviction and that he was
still regarded as "a bad man. by men
and women who recalled the tragedy
IN which he figured twenty eight
years ago. Mr.. Graybill recalled in
his argument gossip of a quarter of
century past about McMeen, declar-
ing that the hand of suspicion was
still pointed at the man. Senator
Beidleman said that the theory was
that Mrs. McMeen had killed her
self, which Graybill denied. The
counsel for McMeen pointed to the
fact that the animus shown to be ex-
listing against McMeen was proof to
him that he should have had a change
Of venue in 1886.
PizZimenti's Case
The case of Bruno Pizzimenti. of
this county, struck snag and was
continued Pizzimenti was sentenced
to eighteen years in 1907 for second
degree murder and released on pa
role In October under the new act.
he wanted to get pardon so that
ne could leave the county and be free
from parole restrictions
His counsel, w. Justin Garter, was
told to apply to the inspectors of the
penitentiary as they would have the
first jurisdiction In the matter. This
case will likely establish a precedent.
Rudy Gets Out
PARDON was recommended for John
w. Rudy, convicted in 1888 of the
murder of his father In Lancaster
county and once sentenced to he
hanged. Rudy was granted commu-
tation In 1890 and was refused par
don in 1912. Efforts in his behalf
were renewed last year and letters
from surviving jurors and attorneys
were presented to the board urging
mercy.
The board refused to recommend
Communication of the death sentences of
John Erbel. Lycoming county, and
Wilmer Potts, Chester Both men
were refused Communication some time
ago. Prominent Williamsport men ap-
peared In behalf of Erbel, who is
sentenced to be hanged on February
.. Potts is to die on January 81.
The board voted to recommend
Communication for John Payne, Fay
ette, sentenced to be hanged on Feb
ruary 3 and held under advisement
the applications made for commuta-
tion for Joseph Erjaeviz, Westmore-
land; George Henderson, Cambria. ,
and John Sushinskie, Schuylkill, who
are under sentence of death.
The case of Kate Edwards, Berks. |
VINO applied for pardon, was held un-
der advisement until letters promis-
Ing to care for her are in hand.
Other cases acted upon We're:
Pardons recommended - Warren
Green, Chester, rape; Clement ". |
Baker, Fayette. larceny and fraud.
Aston Berry, Philadelphia, statutory
rape; Stiney Wuspitcky, Schuylllill |
Howard T.. Mills. |
horse stealing; Ella