Joseph Milo had already been sentenced to hang when North Dakota lawmakers changed his fate.
In March 1915, the state legislature passed a measure abolishing capital punishment, effectively sparing Milo from the gallows if Governor Louis B. Hanna signed the bill as expected. Milo had been convicted of taking part in the brutal robbery and murder of a Breckenridge, Minnesota, man, who was reportedly beaten in the face with stones.
His accomplice received a prison sentence. Milo received death. Then, before the execution could be carried out, the law itself changed.
Legislature Saves Slayer From Prison
By a late act of the North Dakota legislature, Joseph Milo, condemned to die by hanging, is saved from the gallows.
The legislature passed the measure abolishing capital punishment and sent it to Governor Hanna (R), who is expected to sign it at once.
Milo was sentenced to death after a trial several months ago in which he was convicted of murder. It was brought out at the trial that Milo and another man held up and murdered a Breckenridge, Minnesota man by beating his face with stones.
Milo’s partner was sentenced to a term in the state prison.
Source: Courier Democrat. Langdon, N.D. March 11, 1915.
