Pardon O. Henry!
Insert pun here
By Jordan Smith, 8:50AM, Fri. May 18, 2012
It's been 150 years since William S. Porter's birth and now Grits for Breakfast blogger Scott Henson has launched a campaign to have President Barack Obama issue a posthumous pardon that would, finally, clear the writer's name.
Porter – better known by pen name O. Henry – was accused and ultimately convicted of embezzling from First National Bank of Austin where he worked as a teller; the writer maintained his innocence.
Henson's petition notes that Obama quoted O. Henry when pardoning the White House turkey, and that now it's time to pardon the man himself. "Pardoning William S. Porter would signal that you understand and value the true purpose of executive clemency powers in the justice system – not just as a symbol but also a remedy for both actual innocence and 'unfortunate guilt,' one that provides a healing salve even for century-old wounds," read the petition, which can be found here.
Got something to say on the subject? Send a letter to the editor.
A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.
Richard Whittaker, Aug. 25, 2017
Richard Whittaker, July 7, 2016
Kimberley Jones, Sept. 10, 2012
May 22, 2014
Courts, Scott Henson, pardons, clemency, O. Henry, William S. Porter, Grits for Breakfast