The Elkins Inter Mountain

BULLETIN

WITHERSFIELD, CONN., Apr. 5.--(A. P.) Gerald Chapman must hang.

The Board of Pardons this afternoon refused the appeal of Gerald Chapman for commutation of sentence of death to life imprisonment.

This action brings to a close the long desperate fight to save the life of Gerald Chapman, convicted slayer.

He will be hanged tomorrow morning.

Last Stand Made to Save Life of Gerald Chapman

Notorious Bandit, Convicted Slayer, Appears Before Conn. Board Of Pardons In Last Minute Attempt To Have sentence Of Death Changed To Life Imprisonment. Due To Hang Tomorrow.

Wethersfield Prison, Conn. April 5 (AP). Gerald Chapman, making his last desperate stand to save his life was given the right to make a plea in his own behalf by Governor John H. Trumbull before the Board of Pardons this afternoon

State's attorney Hugh M. Alcorn objected saying he thought the defense should close the case,

Gov. Trumbull, granted Chapman permission to talk and asked what procedure would he used.

Frederick Groehl, attorney for Chapman, called attention to the fact he was asking clemency for his client He wanted his client to plead for him -If Groehl said.

"He is going to be hanged tomorrow morning. He must tell his story".

Chapman made no motion at this reference to hanging

Alcorn said he did not see how Chapman could expect clemency from the Board, "I am utterly amazed that with a year to collect these affidavits, with the unexpended million dollars stolen from the United States mails I am utterly amazed that he has only eight witnesses, with wants almost broad cast for witnesses."

Final Effort

Wethersfield Prison, Conn., April 5. - (AP)-Governor John H. Trumbull called the State Board of Pardons to order at 10:30 this morning to pass on the petition of Gerald Chapman who wants to serve a life sentence in- stead of being hanged for murder at midnight tonight.

Gov. Trumbull asked Warden H. W. K. Scott to produce Chapman be- fore the Board.

Frederick J. Groehl, Chapman's de- fense attorney was on hand with the witnesses and affidavits by which he hoped to obtain commutation.

Chapman was not visibly nervous when he entered the room. He sat beside Groehl as the latter began his plea of mercy, calling the Governor's attention to "reasonable doubts" which he asserted had existed throughout the trial.

"When you take a life you can't return it" Groehl stated. "When you say," looking toward State's Attorney Hugh M. Alcorn, "that this man ought to be hanged to keep him from break- ing out of prison, it's nonsense and bunk.

"There has been a strong, determined effort against this case. I say that advisedly and I hope the press agent gets it strongly."

"The United States did not pass upon the merits of this case" Groehl said.

Referring to the action of President Coolidge in signing a commutation of Federal sentence that Chapman might be turned over to Connecticut Groehl said; "When he said 'thumbs down' it was thumbs down all along the line.

"Bad as Chapman may have been, an enemy of society, if the laws are followed he would have served his 21 year mail robbery sentence before being hanged."

New Witnesses

The attorney then began presentation of affidavits of new witnesses.

One was made by Gertrude O'Neil, Brooklyn, N. Y., who said she saw Chapman about nine o'clock on the night of October 11, 1924, the night before Policeman Skelly of New Britain was killed.

Grohl pleaded for time. "Just give me ten days. If I had a week, gentlemen I think I could have witnesses here to testify to facts that will change the whole thing."

"Ninety-nine per cent of the people in Hartford believe in the innocence of the defendant" he said. "My heart is in this case. I have lived with it for a year. I know every aspect of it". Pointing to papers on the desk before him he said as if speaking to Mr. Alcorn,

"Attack these affidavits. Tell me who is wrong here. Tell me who lies but let me be responsible. I have brought two witnesses from New York and I hope that this board will hear them."

Groehl said he received an affidavit from a woman whom he brought with from New York. She sat next to Hickman. He referred to her affidavit as "vital, important and not considered by Judge Jennings."

"Some one wishes to speed the day execution on the claim that the citizens of Connecticut will be un- safe if Chapman is at large" Groehl said. "That seems to be the pressing argument, no facts, passion, prejudice."

Alcorn then said:

"If Gerald Chapman is not hanged, the state of Connecticut has committed crime against every one that has been hanged."

He said if the board granted Chapman clemency it would put them in the position of over ruling President Coolidge and the United States Su preme court.

He pointed out that on Chapman conviction, when he was asked for a statement the condemned man said:

"I have nothing to say".