Death CA in 1860: Abner E. HALL
Am not related but may be of interest to someone who is. I have no further info but additional newspaper extracts may be found atURL:
Vern D
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Transcribed by Dee Sardoch;
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The San Andreas Independent
San Andreas, Calaveras County, CA
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Saturday, 18 August 1860
LEWIS H. LEE CONVICTED of MANSLAUGHTER -- The young man L.H. LEE, who on the 25th June stabbed and killed Abner E. HALL at Mokelumne Hill, was arraigned last Tuesday in the District Court on indictment charging murder. The case was submitted to the jury on Tuesday evening, who returned a verdict for manslaughter.
As a general rule we think commiseration is misplaced when exercised in behalf of the convicted, after deliberate and unimpassioned jury trial; the verdict of 12 discreet men has been too often interfered with by Executive clemency, for the welfare of the State. But we cannot help thinking the case of LEE an exception to the general rule; yet we do not by any means wish to imply that either Court, Jury, Counsel or Witnesses were short of the conscientious discharge of their duty. This was one of those rare cases in which, from the very dearth of evidence *in detail* [in italics], the rigorous rules of law left the defendant powerless.
There was, we believe, but 1 witness to the killing, and he saw only its termination. What provocative were offered by deceased -- whether defendant was threatened or first assaulted before he used his weapon -- are matter known only by himself and not admissible of explanation to the Jury. It is possible, but not probable, that the assault was entirely wanton and unprovoked.
It is generally conceded that the young man LEE, prior to this unfortunate affair, bore the reputation of a quiet, orderly citizen; that he was peaceable and forebearing. That one of such amiable traits would suddenly change his entire nature, and without great provocation kill a fellow being, is hardly presumable. We trust his case may be brought before the Governor and earnestly pressed for the exercise of that clemency which we think it merits.
We learn, since the above was put in type, that LEE has been sentenced to 3 months in the State Prison.
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Re: Death CA in 1860: Abner E. HALL, native of Sand Hill, NY
Vern Dander 11/21/07