The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Patrick, Albert T.

PATRICK, Albert T., American lawyer: b. Texas, 19th century. He was engaged in practice when charged with inspiring the murder of William Marsh Rice, an aged millionaire, on 24 Sept. 1900. Patrick was convicted 26 March 1902 and was sentenced to be electrocuted, but secured appeals which delayed the execution of the sentence. His sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by Governor Higgins in 1906 and he was pardoned by Governor Dix in 1912. The motive for the crime was supposed to be Patrick's inheritance of the Rice fortune through a bogus will. It was said that the conduct of the case during the 12 years cost Patrick and his friends $162,000.