Catalogue description Prisoner name(s): Thomas Davies, alias Roberts alias Eccles. Court and date of trial:...

Prisoner name(s): Thomas Davies, alias Roberts alias Eccles.

Court and date of trial: Glasgow Assizes, 1824.

Crime: Street robbery of Robert Murphy, Bookseller.

Initial sentence: Death.

Gaoler's report: None, but the petitioner Reverend William Routledge says he has been informed that the prisoner conducted himself well while in jail.

Annotated (Outcome): Sentence commuted to transportation for life. Request from Reverend W. Routledge dated 2nd April 1825 that the prisoner be released annotated 'Refused'.

A letter from the Lord Justice Clerk, D. Boyle, dated 7th November 1823 bears the annotation: 'Pardon prepared November 1824'.

Petitioner(s): Thomas Davies, the prisoner.

Rev. William Routledge, Minister of the Episcopal Chapel, Glasgow and prison visitor.

Patrick McFarlan, Minister of St. John's, Glasgow and spiritual advisor to persons under sentence of death.

John Kerr, Solicitor in Glaagow.

Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): The prisoner, a man previously unknown to any prosecuting authorities, was innocent of the robbery charge on which he was convicted. The prisoner, an Englishman, had arrived in Glasgow on the day the offence occurred en route to Greenock in search of a berth on board a vessel, having previous experience at sea. At the trial he was convicted as a consequence of perjured evidence by a prostitute well known to the police who, in seeking to protect the men who had actually carried out the robbery, gave sworn evidence that this prisoner had taken a catalogue stolen from the victim. The policeman who had searched this prisoner subsequently made a statement that no such catalogue was found on him when he was searched immediately following his arrest, nor was any of the other property taken from the victim.

Members of the Jury have made statements on behalf of this prisoner subsequent to his trial and conviction.

Other papers: Printed indictment.

Declarations by various persons involved in the case.

Notes of evidence and comments on the case by the trial Judge.