Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-11-26

, WEDNESDAY, NOs EMOEN
petitioner and that the parents need
ed his help.
Judge Cony read a letter from
Charles E. Hoxie of Augusta, con-
tractor. for whom the petitioner
worked. favoring a pardon.
Ward Asks for Reprieve
Judge Benedict F. Maher of Au-
susta appeared for the reprieve OF
Edgar NJ. Ward of Randolph, who is
serving a life sentence in the States
! prison for the murder of Marie Ber-
nier at Lewiston in 1921. Ward ask
ed for a reprieve that he may under
go surgical and medical treatment
outside of the prison. he to return
to the prison when the treatment is
concluded Ward has bullet in his
lung.
I'VE are not asking for any par
don for Ward, but a reprieve. said
Judge Maher.
Continuing. Judge >Maher stated
that Ward enlisted in the World war
in July, 1917, and was wounded in
France. Ward has an honorable dis
charge from the army.
disqualification and medical
treatment for Ward will not cost the
State a penny and Mr.. Wards father
will give an indemnity bond or de-
post cash for the payment of the
expenses of n parole officer in trip
10 Washington or any place where
Ward will be sent" said Judge Ma
her.
DR.. G. w. Alexander of Gardiner
showed by N-ray photos how a bull
let was imbedded in Wards lung.
DR.. j. f. Head. the States prison
physician, testified that Ward was in
very bad shape and that the opera
ton would be a delicate one.
There is a fair chance for Wards
recovery from this operation if it is
attended TO at once" said DR.. Head,
in reply to a question by the COVER
nor.
"All you ask is that Ward be given
proper hospital treatment, Judge Ma
her?" asked Gov. Baxter.
That is ALL replied Judge Ma
her.
There will be no legal technical
tiles in the case" asked the gov
ernor.
There can be none" replied
Judge Maher.
Noblcboro Case
George A. Cowan of Damarisc otta
appeared as counsel for the petition
ers i'll the case of Arthur Witham of
Nobleboro, who is serving sentence
of six months in Rockland jail, for
operating an automobile while in
toXicated. Attorney Cowan said that
| he advised William TO plead guilty.
thinking that his client would receive
q suspended sentence.
Continuing, Attorney Cowan said
that Witham has already served two
months in Jail and he thought that
he had been sufficiently punished as
he was not really drunk. although
he had been drinking. At the time
of his sentence Witham had just
! passed his 21st birthday.
LITER Prunesti's Plea
Senator Hodgdon G. BuzZell of Bel
| fast appeared as counsel for the pc
| titioner in the case of Vito PruneSti,
! formerly of East Millinocket, who is
| serving a life sentence in the states
prison for murder of a fellow Italian.
prunesti was convicted in the sup
rene judicial court for penobscot
! county in 1908
! Charles j. Hutchines Of Bangor
| who was counsel for Prunesti at the
| trial. testified TO visiting the shack at
| Dolby, near Millinocket. where the
affair occurred and the observations
I that he had made. Mr. Ray. the con-
! stable. who accompanied him. and
| the witness agreed that the shot was
not made from the floor where Pru-
nesti was said to have been located,
! but from bunk. At the trial Mr..
! Ray Failed To remember the supposed
! course of the bullet and his evidence
! did rot give the respondent any ben
| eft. PruneSti did not leave Mill
| nocket but on the other hand an
| Italian who was suspected of the
| crime, left the country. Tile evil
Gence showed that Prunesti stood on
| the floor and he did not believe that
! the shots came from the floor. I'VE
| claimed that the man who was killed
was shot from bunk. said Mr..
! Hutchings
| Rockland Case Presented
! The first pardon case to be consid =
! cred by the Governor and Council
yesterday was that OF Roy Mathews
! of Rockland who is serving n six
months sentence in Jail for driving
an automobile while intoxicated.
! Philip Howard of Rockland. for
/ mer Knox county attorney appeared
| for the petitioner. Attorney Howard
argued that Matthews has already
u
! took liquor supposing it to he nothing
! stronger than cider and this was the
| first time he had ever been arrested
! for intoxicated
Mrs. Matthews testified that her
| husband had never been in the habit
of drinking
Argues Portland Case
Representative Atwood of Portland
appeared for the petitioners for the
/ pardon of George \. Nelson Of Port
! land. serving six months in the Cum
| herland county Jail for driving an au-
tomohile while intoxicated.
Attorney Atwood argued that there
was no indication of any willful
Wrongdoing on Mr. Nelson's part and
that the liquor administered to him
was purely as a medicine because he
had had a fainting spell
Brunswick Mans Plea
Attorney Clarence T.. Sawyer Of
Brunswick appeared for the petition
ers for the pardon of George Coombs
of Brunswick. who is serving a term
in the Cumberland county Jail for the
unlawful possession of liquor. Attor-
ney Sawyer argued that Coombs has
always borne an excellent reputation
up to this time, has a wife and 10
BEFORE TWINS
were BORN