FULL TEXT: New Orleans – A 28-year-old barber college student, who pleaded guilty to rape “Because I didn’t want to gamble with my life,” was free from prison yesterday after an investigation showed she was innocent
William Lott, 28, received a pardon and restoration of
citizenship from Gov. Earl K. Long Friday after spending a year in state
prison.
The pardon followed
an investigation by District Attorney Richard Dowling. He ordered Lott’s case
reopened when the girl involved was charged with filling a false report in
another alleged incident.
Lott pleaded guilty to simple rape and received a five-year
prison term July 24, 1958.
In the case which led to Lott’s freedom, the girl told
police she was beaten by a band of Negroes who tried to rape her. She later
admitted the report was false.
Assistant District Attorney’s Walter Doane represented the
girl as the complaining witness in the Lott case. Suspecting another hoax, he
began checking. A special investigation proved the girl’s story against Lott
was false, the District Attorney said.
Lott said he would try to effect a reconciliation with his
wife, who divorced him as a result of the incident.
[“Rape Hoax Bared; Man Gets Pardon,” syndicated (AP), St.
Petersburg Times (Fl.), Jul. 12, 1959, p. 4-A]
[609-10/25/21]
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William B. Lott would go on to hold up the Dynasty Lounge in New Orleans, shooting the bartender in the process. He and his accomplice were charged in January, 1962, with robbery and attempted murder. I presume he went back to jail, for keeps this time.
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