Monday, June 17, 2019

Pardoning criminals

Nash’s criminal record reached back to 1913, when he was sentenced to life at the State Penitentiary, McAlester, Oklahoma for murder. He was later pardoned. In 1920, he was given a 25-year sentence at the same penitentiary for burglary with explosives and later pardoned. On March 3, 1924, Nash began a 25-year sentence at the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth for assaulting a mail custodian. He escaped on October 19, 1930.

According to Wikipedia, Frank Nash got off the first time because "On March 28, 1918, Nash's sentence was reduced to ten years after he convinced the warden he wanted to join the army and fight in World War I. Nash signed his military registration card on June 12, 1918, and was released on August 16, 1918. Nash saw action in Belleau Wood, France, before the end of the war."

The second time he was pardoned for good behavior. The third time he escaped: he "was appointed the deputy warden's chef and general handyman, a position that brought privileges" and he walked away one day.

He also had 3 wives. He must have been quite a convincing scoundrel. He was killed by friendly fire in a rescue attempt.

It seems to be somewhat easier to be released these days. (Don't worry, there'll be a story about it shortly.) And maybe even put on a California jury.

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