Judge McDonald Confers On Padgett Pardon Case

Judge McDonald Confers On Padgett Pardon Case

Visiting Judge Archie D. McDonald of Hastings conferred here today with local officials to "brief" himself on the fight being made by William H. "Shorty" Padgett, twice-convicted slayer of Ann Arbor Patrolman Clifford "Syd" Stang, to gain parole or pardon.

Judge McDonald said he was here “simply to bring himself up to date on the case.” He declined tp. comment at this time on the

recommendation he is expected to make to the State Parole Board which is now considering Padgett's appeal.

Succeeds Chenot

Judge McDonald was assigned to the case as successor to the late Judge James E. Chenot, the visiting judge who presided over Padgett's retrial in 1944.

Stang was shot and killed March 21, 1935, in the Conlin and Wetherbee clothing store, 118 E. Washington St. Both proprietors identified Padgett as the killer at each of his trials.

Through George Burke, jr., Ann Arbor attorney, Padgett has offered affidavits allegedly proving he was in Harrisburg, Pa. March 19 and 20 and in Steubenville, O., March 22.

Passed Tests

Padgett, who has now served 13 years of a life sentence, recently “passed” lie detector and "truth serum” tests administered by the state police and Ionia State Hospital officials.

Judge McDonald conferred today with Burke; Police Chief Casper Enkemann; Albert J. Rapp, the prosecuting attorney at Padgett's second trial; Douglas K. Reading, present prosecutor; and Herbert T. Wetherbee, partner in the clothing store in which the slaying occurred. Padgett was not present.