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To his Excellency James. F. Robinson Gov. of the State of Ky.
The undersigned would respectfully State, that they as counsel, defended Thomas Edrington, on his trial for the murder of his wife.
It appeared to us on the trial of the case, that the plea of insanity was as fully, and as completely made out as it was possible to make out a case, where the party was not a raving maniac.
We refer to the testimony of Peter Zanane Miss Blackburn, Mrs. Edington, his mother; and Dr Owens; -- and especially the latter. His Statement Shows beyond question, that his mind was not only thoroughly worked depressed and demented; but and that it was a hopeless case of mental imbecility; but it was also a confirmed case of detireum tremens, or mania poter.
Surely if Dr Owens' Statements are true, the man was not guilty of murder. He was wholy incapable of deliberating or forming any design to take the life of his wife. If he was not guilty of murder he, was not guilty in law of a less crime. It was either murder or nothing.
The verdict is a Signular one. What right or by what authority had did they to find him guilty of manslaughter. The court here agreed with us that it was murder or no crime atall. Yet he refused to Set the verdict aside and grant a new -- trial. This Judgement of the court was as Singular as the verdict of the Jury. The verdict and Judgement are clearly illegal But the poor unfortunate man is not abble, nor has he friends that are able to appeal the case. Besides he has no assurance that the Same thing will not be repeated
We think this is a case, if ever there was one which demands Executive clemency. It was not possible for the man in his then condition of mind and
Yours Respectfully
Price & Wood.