/? ys
y, i nA ; a ae a ; Ri ¢ Js A ft ft oe : f jf 2
fj 5) ¢ at Pe Phu 2 cb p iG th bG ry Y. ¥ FJ
ff fof iy hea | ¥ I, A (Mk * ¥ Yuet 3
ae
EATH AND THE SUPREME COURT by Barratt Prettyman, Jr. , Je,
PITTSBURGH COURIER, Pittsburgh, Pa., 5-17-197
,
ON
DEATH AND THE SUPREME COURT by Barratt Prettyman, Jr. , 4
PITTSBURGH COURIER, Pittsburgh, Pa., 5-17-1917
DEATH AND THE SUPREME COURT by Barratt Prettyman, Jr.
PITTSBURGH COURIER, Pittsburgh, Pa., 5-17-1947
| L... Willie ) eT i
Francis, a 15-year-old Ste Martinville, “a., black youth, had stolen
a pistol from an unlocked Deputy.8heriff's automobile. One night in
Nov., 19l, he waited in ambush at the home of Andrew Thomas, a St.
Martinville druggist. After Thomas arrived and put his car away,
Francis shot him five times and stole 9,00 and a watch from his
bodye He pawned the watch for $5.00 and this led to his becoming
the suspect in the crime, Captured in Port Arthur, Tex., Francis
confessed that he had killed and robbed Thmmas and also admitted
committing an assault and robbery on an elderly Port Arthur white
mane Convicted and sentenced to death, he was first placed in the
electric chair on “ay 3, 1946, but the current failed to kill him,
He was returned to his cell and his case was appealed to the U, S,
Supreme Court on the grounds that another attempt at electrocution
would be "cruel and inhumane punishment," and that it would place
him double jeopardy. The Court failed to hssue a definite ruling
and F i >
Gn his behalf Hs Hed Ais ettorpeys, to, tiscontiime further efforts
Louisiana's portable electric chair on May 9, 1917.
Willie <) = fe OTe
Francis, a 15-year-old Sta Martinville, 4a., black youth, had stolen
a pistol from an unlocked Deputy.8heriff's automobile. One night in
Nov., 191, he waited in ambush at the home of Andrew Thomas, a St.
Martinville druggist. After Thomas arrived and put his car away,
Francis shot him five times and stole $4.00 and a watch from his
body. He pawned the watch for $5.00 and this led to his becoming
the suspect in the crime, Captured in Port Arthur, Tex., Francis
confessed that he had killed and robbed Thmmas and also admitted
committing an assault and robbery on an elderly Port Arthur white
man. Convicted and sentenced to death, he was first placed in the
electric chair on May 3, 196, but the current failed to kill him.
He was returned to his cell and his case was appealed to the U. S.
Supreme Court on the grounds that another attempt at electrocution
would be "cruel and inhumane punishment," and that it would place
him oes jeopardy. The Court failed to hssue a definite ruling
sits Bona Ms eas SAS ARSoRUN At feoeer tame, hurt efforts
Louisiana's portable electric chair on May 9, 19):7.
FRANCIS, Willie SEAL A
Francis a 15-year-old Ste Martinville, “a,, black youth, had stolen
a pistol from an unlocked Deputy Sheriff's automobile. One night in
Nov., 19h, he waited in ambush at the home of Andrew Thomas, a St.
Martinville druggist. After Thomas arrived and put his car away,
Francis shot him five times and stole #,.00 and a watch from his
body. He pawned the watch for $5.00 and this led to his becoming
the suspect in the crime, Captured in Port Arthur, Tex., Francis
confessed that he had killed and robbed Thmmas and also admitted
committing an assault and robbery on an elderly Port Arthur white
man,
Convicted and sentenced to death, he was first placed in the
electric chair on “ay 3, 196, but the current failed to kill him,
He was returned to his cell and his case was appealed to the U. S,
Supreme Court on the grounds that another attempt at electrocution
Would bs "ofuel. and dshumane punishnent," and that it would place
him double jeopardy. Be Court failed to Assue a definite ruling
ur fesnahas engl atta
iso RRScaESe at fs en taaMe, Surber efterts
8 Jai
uisiana's portable electric chair on May 95 1976
SEF/FIV7
BieisPaeie hae
ea
a
