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Govr B. Magoffin
Being informed of an intended application to your Excellency for a commutation of the punishment of Stephen Duval, who was convicted of murder at the last term of the McLean Circuit Court, to confinement in the penitentiary, and having assisted Mr Maxwell, the Comths atty. in the prosection, and having prosecuted Duval before the Examining Court at the time of his commutment on paid charge, I have to State, that from the circumstances of the case as developed on the trial, -- it appearing that Duval was is a man of weak mind, -- almost an imbecile -- that his confederates in
the crime were men of intellect and strong will, that Duval was under the influence of liquor when the deed was perpetrated -- and that he was seduced into it by his confederates, Norman & Baggett, I am of opinion that ends of justice ^Justice^ would be subserved by commuting the punishment to confinement in the penetentiary for a term of year.
If your Excellency cannot commute without an act of the Legislature to confer the power, then I join in the petition to reprieve the executionor respite the execution until the Legislature shall assemble
verry Resp'y
Chas Eaves
Greenville KY