The Lindbergh Kidnapping Hoax
AMELIA EARHART - "Lady Lindy"
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An eloquent plea, on behalf of Richard Hauptmann, was made to NJ Gov. Harold Hoffman by the famous aviatrix Amelia Earhart. She was the wife of publisher George Putnam.
Earhart's letter is re-typed below with Governor Hoffmann's telegram reply.
The ORIGINAL LETTER AND TELEGRAM CAN BE SEEN HERE
They
were contributed by the NJ Trenton Archive
Unfortunately, for Richard Hauptmann, Earhart's letter was not enough to save his life - he was electrocuted 2 days later - on April 3, 1936
Amelia
Earhart
2
West 45th St
New
York City
April
1, 1936
Hon.
Harold G. Hoffman
Governor
of New Jersey
Trenton,
New Jersey
My
Dear Governor Hoffman:
“Invitations
out for Hauptmann Execution”
Newspaper
headlines such as this in the last week compel me to write a letter I have long
debated.
I
believe many people feel reasonable doubt exists on some points in the tragic
case referred to. Ceaseless argument rages among those who would have a man die
because he has been condemned and others who would preserve behind bars a living
mystery for the years to kill.
With
proven laboratory methods available for ascertaining the truth of any statement
is not the humanitarian course clear and unescapable? Should not Richard Hauptmann be subjected to,
or at least be permitted to undergo, the recently developed Scopolamine
test?
As
regards the individual the results would be two-fold. First, if guilt were
registered the doom now decreed would not seem so shocking to the general
public. An eye for an eye and a tooth
for a tooth is still
more-or-less regarded as justice. Second, if innocence were
indicated, or even complicity, then there would exist definite reasons, not
groping rationalizations, for seeking reprieve or pardon.
As
to the larger effect of such a procedure, I am sure it would hasten by decades
the adoption of scientific methods in courts of law. Only yesterday
finger-printing stood legally beyond the pale. Today all manner of “lie
detection” and now mechanical drugs wait to be similarly
accepted.
For
the fourth time a jury on the west coast has been dismissed in the trial of a
young man accused of wife murder. The burden of expense on taxpayers (and the
accused) is crushing. No blame attaches to those connected with the case, rather
praise for the men and women who refuse to convict a fellow being when they,
themselves, are not convinced of his guilt. Lack of knowledge is the culprit. A
century ago we would have thrown up our hands helplessly under similar
circumstances; in 1936 we cannot do so. Science has added enough to human
knowledge so that often the Gordian Knot of tedious and costly criminal trials
could be cut with one swift sure stroke.
I
know nothing of Scopolamine or its originator except what I have read in the
reputable magazines such as Tile [?] and The Forum. (I append 2 references from
these).It may not be in itself infallible but its use probably would produce
such clues that a check would verify results.
Please
understand that I do not criticize the conduct of the Hauptmann case or the
personnel connected with it. I do not plead for, nor condemn, the man himself. I
do not here question the society in which kidnapping may be a profitable
venture. However, the purpose of this letter is to question the the society
which steadfastly turns its face from the light yet demands a life in its
ignorance. Were the stakes not so great and the means to be sure not at hand,
the situation might not be so serious. A painstaking effort to reach by
Scopolamine to the bottom of a hideous internationally known chain of events,
would be a contribution to civilization.
Whether
or not it affected the sentence of the man in the New jersey State Prison, it
would still demonstrate to the world American sincerity and American belief that
no stone should be allowed unturned in the search for justice. I hope means can
be found to do so.
Very
truly yours,
Amelia
Earhart
WESTERN
UNION TELEGRAM
April
2, 1936
To:
Amelia Earhart
APPRECIATE
VERY MUCH INTEREST INDICATED BY YOUR LETTER OF APRIL FIRST – STOP – SEVERAL
MONTHS AGO HAUPTMANN INDICATED DESIRE TO SUBJECT HIMSELF TO ANY SCIENTIFIC TEST
BUT NEW JERSEY LAW PROVIDES THAT ONLY
NEXT OF KIN SPIRITUAL ADVISOR AND COUNSEL MAY VISIT PRISONER CONDEMNED TO DEATH
ONLY EXCEPTION MAY BE MADE UPON COURT ORDER WHICH HAS NOT BEEN PROCURED UP TO
THIS TIME – STOP – I AM IN THOROUGH AGREEMENT WITH YOUR VIEWS AND WOULD LIKE TO
HAVE THIS TEST
MADE.
HAROLD
G HOFFMAN
GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY
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