Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-28

/ ton has 21 patients and the new
building next July will accommodate
| "A more.
Mems Reformatory
Trustee o. B. Clason Of the Mems
Reformatory at South Windham
asked the Council to restore the au-
thority to Supt. Donnell to so after
escaped prisoners without formal
permission from Council. cancelled by
Council order on Jan. last. He said
the Reformatory is without armed
guards and inmates will sometimes
escape. They have so far, since
March, 1920, been returned at about
the cost of one guard for half that
time.
Frank p. Parks Pardon
Frank H. Ingraham of Rockland
appeared in behalf of Frank P. Parks
of Kittery, serving life sentence in
, the State prison for the murder on
Jan. %, 1899 of Mary Tarleton in Kit
terry.
Mr.. Ingraham stated that tho de-
fence was insanity, suffering from In
ebriety and that on the day of the
assault he had drank so much liquor
! that he had no recollection Of the
deed and was not legally responsible.
He was % years of age, committed
Nov. 2. 1899, now being A years old.
He also claims that the charge should
have only been manslaughter, not
murder.
Mary Tarleton was SO years Of age.
Parks when drunk, went into her
home and struck her on the head
with a bottle, she dying next day.
Parks is now the oldest life prison.
er In State prison, in point of service.
| OF the lifers there in 1899, Is have
! been Dardoned or committed, 2
the others have died.
! Mr.. Ingraham said his whole case
hinged on the fact that Parks was not
responsible for the deed-that what
his hand did was not the act of his
mind. he being in the grip of the
liquor, for which he had an uncon-
trolable desire. His mother, father
and grandfather all drank. Parks
had epileptic fits and drank liquor
from young boy. He had been drink
ing heavily just before the assault. He
was seen to go into the Tarleton
home and the woman later was found
dead. Parks, when arrested, the Off
!, GERS said, did not seem to realize at
all his position-saying he wouldn't
get more than 80 days. The home
had been somewhat ransacked, it
seeming that Parks had gone there
for money.
Mr.. Ingraham read several deci-
sions in other states on a mans men,
tai condition and responsibility when
under the influence Of liquor. to show
that Parks condition was such that
the charge SHOULD have been man.
slaughter and not premeditated muir
der.
He said that Parks time off for
good behavior would make his SEN
tence practically % years, if freed
! now.
Letters were introduced from
Parks father, 80 years old, and moth
er. 20 years and sick. appealing for
| his release and return home
Former Chaplain E. V. Allen Of the
State prison said Parks had always
been good prisoner. He thought a
| conditional pardon would be war
ranted. The warden and present
! chaplain wrote he had been a good
| prisoner, working in the harness
shop.
A brother lives in Portsmouth, N.
H. and he would go there.
Councillor Swift-Did court take
account of his mental condition at
/ trial?
Ingraham-Yes, and law court
ruled that he must bear the burden
! of proving that-the State to prove
the deed was committed
Councillor Hastings-Did Judge in
struct as to degrees of murder?
lngraham-Yes, as to first and sec
ond degrees of murder. Manslaught-
! er was not mentioned.
Councillor Gregory-You think that
desire for drink
1nsraham-Yes, he's been so long
withoT, think there is no danger.
|