CHESSMAN’S APPEAL

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29102, 14 January 1960, Page 13

CHESSMAN’S APPEAL

New Hearing Refused

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyrtpht) WASHINGTON, Jan. 11. The Supreme Court today again denied a hearing to Caryl Chessman, who has been under sentence of death for more than 11 years as the Los Angeles “red light bandit.” But Chessman’s lawyers said later they still had not given up the fight. Chessman is scheduled to be executed in the gas chamber on February 19. ... The Court today refused to reconsider its action of December 14 when it rejected a lengthy appeal filed on Chessman’s behalf. The Court’s order merely said: “The petition for rehearing is denied. The Chief Justice took no part in the consideration or decision of this application. The Chief Justice (Mr Earl Warren) is a former Governor of California, the State in w W cb Chessman was convicted in 1948. Since then, Chessman has evaded the executioner through a series of appeals and petitions in State and Federal Courts, after studying law in his cell in death row” at San Quentin Penitentiary. , . , He has also written four books, two of which became best-sellers. One was made into a successful film. Chessman, now aged 38, was convicted on 17 of 18 charges against him. He was sentenced to death on two of four kidnapping charges. The other charges involved robbery and more sex offences. Prison officials said Chessman appeared unruffled today when told of the Court’s decision.