Letter to R. J. Mathews; June 8, 1870

Documents
Letter to R. J. Mathews; June 8, 1870

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Each transcribed document contains links that connect it to other documents on the same topic in the collection.

People

Beacham, Anderson Ford, Wash Mathews, R. J.Young?, Saul

Events

Crime Crime--Arson Crime--Robbery Criminal Procedure--Convicted Criminal Procedure--Declined to prosecute Criminal Procedure--Imprisonment Criminal Procedure--Indictments Criminal Procedure--Sentencing

Organizations and Businesses

Mississippi. High Court of Errors and Appeals Mississippi. State Penitentiary (Jackson, Miss.)

Occupations

Lawyers

Places

Jackson (Miss.)Kosciusko (Miss.)

Social Identifiers

African Americans

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[seal]

Kosciusko June 8^th 1870

R J Mathews Esq
Jackson Miss

Sir—

On my return home from Jackson, I found on my table your communication, of the 4^th asking information in regard to the case of one Anderson Beacham confined for "Arson" in the Penitentiary.

I prosecuted Anderson, he was charged with burning the cabin of one Wash Ford colored—at the time the house was fired there was no one occupying it, of this Anderson was aware—^but knew^ it contained the worldly goods of Wash.

He was convicted upon circumstantial Evidence, the moving cause (if he was guilty) was to "spite" Wash and pay him back for some fancied injury, and not for gain^in robbery^—I am disposed to think that

Anderson Beacham
N^o_146

No 146

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in all probability he is guilty of this offence charged, although perhaps the proof did not rise to that grade of cer==tainty required ~~in criminal cases~~ to warrant conviction.

He is said to be a bad and vicious character and I suppose this is true.

Owing to a fault existing in the indictment, (which was formed by my predecessor) Anderson^s case would have been reversed if it had been taken to^the^ High Court, but counsel failed or refused to prosecute writ of Error, a fact which I myself regretted. This could yet be done if counsel saw proper.

I will also suggest that the general sentiment seemed to be that he was guilty, but at the same time ~~thought~~ the sentence ^was believed to be^ astoo severe under the circumstances.

I would be glad

to see his sentence reduced say one half, but cannot conscientously advise any less punishment under the circumstances

Respectfully

Saul Young?