Wesley Robert Wells
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Scope and Content
This sub-series documents Ruth Le Prade’s involvement in the efforts to have Wesley Robert Wells’ sentence of execution stayed or pardoned. Materials in this sub-series include Le Prade’s correspondence with Wells and with other parties about Wells, clippings about Wells and other prison-related issues, Wells’ appeals to Governor Pat Brown, and Le Prade’s files on capital punishment.
Dates
- Creation: 1876-1971
Language of Materials
English
Conditions Governing Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.
Biographical Note
Wesley Robert Wells (1909-1975?), was sentenced to death in 1947 after throwing a cuspidor at a prison guard. While serving a five-year term for auto theft in 1944, Wells was found guilty of possessing a knife, and his sentence was changed to an additional five years to life. In 1947, he was sentenced to death for violating Section 4500 of the California Penal Code, which stipulated that a prisoner serving a life sentence could be executed for striking a guard. Wells' case drew the attention of civil libertarians, labor unions and concerned individuals. The Civil Rights Congress, Congress of Industrial Organizations and other supporters organized a campaign to prevent his execution. Organizers also initiated a drive to abolish the penal conditions which resulted in discriminatory treatment of African-American prisoners. Their efforts were successful, and Wells was saved from execution.
Extent
From the Collection: 104 Linear Feet (103 boxes, 1 map-case folder)
Repository Details
Part of the USC Libraries Special Collections Repository
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles California 90089-0189 United States
specol@usc.edu