Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-31
ALBERT BARRETT TO DIE
IN PRISON THIS MORNING
Final Efforts to Stay Execution o.
Charlotte County Murderer
Without Avail.
CENTER ATTENTION ON BOY
Judge Hundloy Willing to Trust Case
to Governor Stuart, and Indicates
That Ho Will Not Oppose Excr-
else OF Executive Clemency.

Albert Barrett, sentenced to death for
the murder OF w. IT. Roach. Char
lotte County farmer. will pay the
death penalty for his crime at the
State Penitentiary this morning at z
o'clock. Governor Stuart. although he
granted a respite to the son, Aubrey
Barrett, also under sentence OF death
for completely in the crime, refused to
take any action in the case Of the elder
Barrett. The Governor gave as his rea-
son that the father had the services
of an attorney, and was tried by a
jury in the lower court. and If any
steps were to be taken. the proper
means would be by way OF a petition
to the Supreme Court.
Four of the five members Of the Su-
premc Court have refused to grant a
writ of error in the case, and all eff
forts to save Albert Barrett or to stay
his execution seem to have failed.
1t is understood that even the at
torncys for the defense have given up
hope. and have begun to concentrate
their attention upon the case Of the
younger Barrett. Judge Prentis is the
only Supreme Court judge who could
now grant writ of error that would
stay the execution of Albert Barrett.
Four of his colleagues have already
refused to grant an appeal; and by
their action have indicated their belief
Il
The contention of the attorneys for
the defense was that the prosecution
had failed to show that there had
been any generalization in the murder
of Roach. and, therefore. that Barrett
did not merit the extreme penalty.
When Governor Stuart granted a
respite OF thirty days to the boy 1t
did not mean that he thought the boy
was innocent of any crime. Tho boy
was ignorant, without counsel. and was
not tried by a jury. The Governors
action postpones the execution until he
has had time to give the case a thor
ough examination.
JUDGE HUNDLEY ISSUES
HIS LAST SAY" ON THE CASE
Judge GEORGE ]. Hundley. OF the
Circuit Court of Charlotte County. is
sued yesterday what he describes as
his last say" in regard to the Barrett
case. His signed statement follows:
To the Editor of The Times DiSpa tch: !
Sir,-In regard to the Barrett case, |
this will be my last say on that matter. |
Some people seem determined to try |
that case over again in the newspapers. |
Let that trial proceed. 1 never try |
cases in the newspapers. The court |
trial, with its records, is behind me. |
For the integrity of my action 1 am
responsible only to God. For its wis
dom. 1 abide by the judgment of the
people whom l serve. The Governor, !
whom respect and admire, knows that
asked him to keep troops in readiness
for my call. to protect that very boy
from mob violence. in case, after l
heard the evidence. should think he
ought not to be sentenced to death |
He knows l told him / would not be
dictated to by any mob.
L have never failed to appoint coun-
sci TO defend persons where the death |
penalty was involved. but 1 never have
10
where prisoners appear by counsel OF |!
their own choosing, employed by or for |
them. as In this boys case. l have
no power to prevent any one from
pleading guilty. and when he does SO, |
the guilt is acknowledged and no de- |
Tense can be made. Nothing remains
but for the court to ascertain the de- |
gree of guilt
AS for State Senator Addison, let me
say that he needs no defense at your
hands did not allude to him. knew
his people we'll in Richmond, and |
know his reputation as an able and
honorable man
WILLING TO TRUST CASE
TO GOVERNOR STUART
The SHOWS of eighty winters have
not cooled that quality in my blood |
which rises in resentment at unfair |
treatment. nor has IL assuaged my in
tense aversion to all sham and pretense
Ito a mushy and morbid sentimental
lty, that in order to accomplish it's
ends is willing to assail the courts and
their officers without the slightest justi-
iication
Now l want to unite with Judge Wat
kins in saying that l hope the unwise |
action OF certain persons In seeking
10 nave this boys sentence commuted
by an assault upon the action of the
court Will in no wise hurt the boys |
case.
We can all trust such a man as
Governor stuart. The law has properly
provided for extending executive Glenn |
! ency. and If the Governor thinks II |
wise TO exercise his power I have no
"ord TO say against it,
oSigned) GEORGE J. HUNDLEY.
Farmviile. Va. August 80, 1917.