Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-06-03
LEVIN PARDONED

He appealed from the latter sentence
and while that appeal was pending
he was committed to the institution
at Atlanta, where he is now an in
mate. He has served a year and five
months at Atlanta.
The petitioners for the pardon Of
Levin contended that he was con-
victed in the State courts on the
same evidence by which he was con-
victed in the federal court, the evil
dence of men engaged in the liquor
business. and that If he served the
State of Maine sentence he would be
serving two sentences for the same
offense.
Governors Statement
Governor Brewster late last night
issued the following statement on
the Levin case:
"The executive council voted unan-
imously in favor Of granting a par
don to Willard s. Levin, and after
careful consideration of all the cir
cumstances, it has seemed to me wise
and proper to accept their recon-
mendation.
Mr.. Levin was convicted Of con-
spiracy to violate the federal stat
utes against the sale of liquor and
sentenced to two years in the feder.
al penetentiary at Atlanta. Under
this sentence he would have been
eligible to parole at the end of eight
months.
Mr.. Levin appealed his case to the
circuit court of appeals and while it
was pending he was indicted and
| convicted in the state court for the
same offense and sentenced to i'm
priso1ment at Thomaston for one
year.
Under the provisions of the fed
eral parole law, Mr.. Levin is not
eligible to parole because of the SEN
tence hanging over him in the State
of Maine. He would, consequently,
be obliged to serve two full years at
Atlanta and then an additional year
in the State Of Maine unless some
action were taken by the pardoning
power. ~
Meanwhile his two associates in
this conspiracy are now free. One
was sentenced by the federal court
to two years at Atlanta like Mr..
Levin and has been paroled. The
other was sentenced to one year in
states prison and has now been re-
leased. Neither were prosecuted or
| sentenced in the other court.
Mr.. Levin has served a longer
sentence than either of the others
who were officials of the state sworn
to enforce the law and will not be
at liberty until the somewhat slow
moving machinery of the federal pa
role board Is able to act in spite Of
the pardon which has been granted
to him by the State of Maine.
THE ection In this case Is based
Upon no thought Of palliation of
tie crime for which he was RESPONSE
BILE but rather in recognition Of the
equities which seem to exist in view
Of the penalties melted out by the
state and federal governments in
this particular conspiracy, to his as
sociates.
This pardon followed the recon-
mendation of the judge of the district
| court who sentenced Mr.. Levin and
also of most of the members Of the
jury who found him guilty in the
federal court"
1t is understood that the matter
of the confirmation of the appoint
ments of Mayor John G. Smith of
Saco to be state bank commissioner
and Andrew C. Swan of Princeton
to be the agent Of the PassamaQuod-
dy Tribe of Indians was not consid-
cred by the council, probably be-
cause of. the absence Of two members,
Guy E. Torrey of Bar Earbor and
Robert j. Peacock of Lubec.
The council passed an order author
izing the state highway commission
to proceed with reconstruction pro-
jects in Lewiston, Greene, Leeds,
Palmyra, Detroit, Newport and Pitts
field on a day labor basis.
The next session Of the Governor
and Council will be held Wednesday,
June 10.