Harold Riggs

RIGGS

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 5/14/2008 at 09:19:46

Jackson Sentinel
December 7, 1926

Clinton Murderer is Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

Clinton, Ia., Dec. 4, -Harold Riggs, murderer of Edward J. Stewart, Clinton insurance collector, was today sentenced to life imprisonment by Judge A. F. Barker in the district court here.

Riggs pleaded guilty shortly after he was surrendered to the Clinton police by the mother of his chum. He shot Stewart at Lone Grave Bluff at the edge of Clinton, after he had enticed Stewart to that place on a pretense that he had alcohol buried there.

A hearing to determine the extent of his guilt was held a week ago. According to evidence presented at the hearing, Riggs’ mother is insane.

Riggs will be taken to the penitentiary early next week.

Riggs had a defiant attitude when arraigned for sentence. He walked into the court room smoking a cigarette, and only grinned when the court pronounced sentence. As he was leaving the court room he turned and smiled at the large audience that had gathered in the court room.

Judge Barker stated that he would do all in his power to prevent Riggs from being paroled. He stated that had Riggs been an adult and of sound mind, he would have sentenced him to hang by the neck until dead.