Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-21
BECKER ASKS WHITMAN
TO GRANT HIM RESPITE
Statement Of $4,000 Words, Said to
Contain New Facts, Placed in
Governors Hands.
PREPARED BY CONDEMNED MAN
Chronological History of What He
Says Were His Dealings With Ro-
senthnl and Others Mentioned in
Murder Case.

! TO save the life of Charles Becker, for
mer New York police lieutenant, SEN
fenced to die on July IS for instigating
the murder of Herman Rosenthal was
made tonight when q l5,000-word
statement. prepared by Becker in the
Sing Sing Prison death house, and said
TO contain new facts, was placed in
the hands of Governor Whitman at
Albany. With the statement was n
request that the Governor grant the
condemned man respite "in the light
of certain facts now disclosed for the
first time"
The publication of this statement
here tonight followed the announce
ment during the day by Martin T. Man
ton. of counsel for Becker. that within
the next few days an application
would be made before a Supreme Court
justice here for new trial for
| Becker on the ground of newly dis
covered evidence
Bccker's statement is chronological
history of what he says were his deal
ings with Rosenthal and the others
mentioned in the murder case.
This communicat ton was ACCOMPANIED
with copy of the argument used by
! Bourke Cochran. of Becker's counsel
recently before United States Supreme
Court Justice Hughes for a writ of
error The latter document was in
cludcd in the documents sent to the
Governor in order that he might know
the grounds on which Mr. Cochran
sought a writ of error.
TIM sULLIvAN's NAME
APPEARS IN STATEMENT
The name of the late Timothy D.
sullivan, at the time of the Rosenthal
AFFAIR State Senator. is brought into
! Hecker's statement at length. Becker
claims that sullivan had interviewed
with the police in an effort to get per
mission for Roscnthal to run his gamb-
ling-house. saying that he was hnan-
cially interested in the house and
wanted TO help Rosenthal.
Later. after Rosenthars place was
raided and Rosenthal began publish
ing charges against Becker. Sullivan.
according TO the statement. told the
police lieutenant that Rosenthal must
he induced TO leave town This was
not long before the assassination OF
Roscnthal.
Becker says it is common rcport
that sum Of money was raised, pre-
sumably by Rose. from the gamblers
to get Rosenthal away. Rosenthal re-
fused the sum, but consented to go
for larger sum. 1t is said it was for
this larger sum that he was waiting
at the Hotel Metropole when shot.
The statement is accompanied by a
supplemental document. also framed by
heckcr. and really part of his story.
pu' revised somewhat by his attorney
IN THIS the condemned man declares at
one point that II he is to die he is as
ready now to meet his fate as he has
ny 20
He adds that there is only one service
that can be rendered him now, end that
is aid In finding evidence that will os
labiiSh his innocence. lie continues:
Although 1t involves the unprecc-
denied proceeding of asking His Ex-
cellency, Charles S. Whitman, Cover
nor of the State, to review. reverse and
IN some respects condemn the conduct
of Honorable Charles S Whitman die
trict attorney OF New York County. In
prosecuting an indictment for murder
against me. ask Your Excellcncv
most respectfully on the records suh.
mitted to Mr. Justice Hughes To for
bid execution of the capital sentence
pronounced on me-
GUILT OF MURDER
NOT ESTABLISHED
ASK iouT fSceliency further, in
the light OF certain facts now dis
closed Tor the first time. to forbid nv
execution on the ground that n:y guilt
OF this murder is not established so
clearly as to justify the talsinr of /.
human life by the public executioner.
re- S'r' let me say that ] do not
ask any Indulgence at your hands,
If l have actually committed the
tIh yf.I,
guilty no criminal ever went 70 eve
cution more thorough deserved Of the
punishment inflicted on him"
Becker explains Jack Rose IN. CIV,
ing that his only interest was in
maintaining Roses usefulness n, q
stool pigeon" in obtaining evidence
against gambling houses He tolls or
the partnership existing between Rose
and Rosenthal in gambling house
until after they became enemies II
was with this gambling house that
Becker connects the name of "Ric Tim"
sullivan Becker saws Sullivan had
loaned Roscnthal money with which to
equip the house
After Rosenthars place had been
closed the gambler charged that
i'eck"r was the real owner of a chat
'el mortgage on the gamblers furni-
ture Becker declares that Senator
SN!hvan. fearing Roscnthars cam
| paiGn, called Becker into a conference
winch Rose attended. and said that
| EoScnihal must be induced to leave
Seeker declared this could not he
done' as IT was necessary TO his posi-
! ZION IN the police department that
fosenthaFs statements be faced To
this he said sullivan replied:
Where fire OF this kind Is started
there is no knowing where II will
reach Rosenthal has already been
very close TO me politically and per
sona!lY. Any secret investigations Of
elections by grand jury have always
been sources Of great trouble"
SULLIVAN EXPRESSES
AHHHILCI AEIlS AI- A.IMrInI,I,1,