The copper era and Morenci leader., 1920-04-23
PENALTY |s PAID BY TORREz
 F0R KILLING OF OFFICER

FLORENCE, Ariz., April 16.-Simpli- cio Torrez, Mexican, paid the death penalty here today when he was hang ed at the state prison for the murder of Victor l.. Melik, constable of Will Hams, Ariz., on May 1 of last year. The trap was sprung as I0:04 a. m., Tor reg neck being broken and death fol- lowing instantly.
 No statement was made by the con demned man on the scaffold as to his guilt or innocence. Just before the black cap was fitted over his head he was asked if he wished to say anything and he replied briefly, in calm, clear voice, stating that he held no malice in his heart" toward anyone connected with his arrest and prosecution and that he faced death with forgiveness for all his former roes." The execu- tion was witnessed by about dozen persons, although there was quite an assemblage outside the prison gates.
 Torrez' bearing was that of sane man and he exhibited none of the symptoms of insanity that had been alleged in affidavits and by friends in their efforts to secure a communication of sentence. Torrez' mother and two brothers waited outside the prison to receive the body after the txecution. It is understood thar It will be taken to Williams for burial.
 The life of Torrez is one filled with variety of experiences.
 Life of Crime
 Torrez, who was still in his twen- ties, was born in Williams, Arizona, the scene of his final crime. While very young he did not seem inclined to viciousness, but when about IA years of age he began to become a nuisance to the police. His vision
 limited to the horizon of the small community in which he always had I lived, his self importance asserted it. self. His parents found him incor- rigible, and did not protest when the | law was firm with him, following sey- eral arrests for petty larceny. The | theft of chickens was a favOrite pas | time, though any thing might find it's way into the possession of Torrez if | the owner was not watchful.
 About three years ago Torrez serv- l ed his first sentence in the state pen; | itentiary, having been convicted of at tempt highway robbery. This was the
 first really dangerous thing Torre2 | did. In this instance he used gun | and threatened the ,Ifves of his vic | tins. After nearly year of confine | rnent Torrez seemed to have reformed
 was a tractable, model prisoner, and
 his stntence was reuonsidered and he
 was parolled.
 Returning to his native town, the latter part of January, 1918, SimplicC quickly forgot his lesson, and kept the
 police constantly vigilant lest he harm
 someone or damage property. This
 episode was given thrilling wind up l Back to Prison
 Early one afternoon, TorreZ mount ed a cowboys pony which had beer left outside a poor room, and raced | it down the main street of the tOwr
 "a revolver, fortunately not loaded. 1T one hand. Refining the animal abrupt
 ly at corner, he dismounted and en tered a grocery store. While the pro prietor was busy, Simplico slipped { few cans of beans in his shirt and lef by side door. Visiting other stores he got small assortment of tobacco
 groceries, etc., in the same light fin
 gered way. Knowing that the officers
 would quickly be after him, he took 2
 razor from a butcher shop, then ''ac quired'' prospectors' train of burros
 and hurried out of town, leaving worG
 that he would resist arrest and xiii