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a At the time he announced the stay of execution, Governor Brown indicated he would ask the California State Legislature, in special session, to . abolish capital punishment. Govenor Brown has expressed his personal opvositio: n to such punishment. . @ Immediately following the stay of execution, Chessman sent a‘7000- ... word letter to the Governor, which was delivered by a California Highway Patrolman, in which Chessman stated he is willing to die if it would ¢ ease the way for the abolition of capital punishment, In connection with the growing crescendo of those who desire clemency |sfor Chessman, "Time's" story points out that following Governor Brown's stay of ivexecution and while the California Legislature was in session conducting its hearing | On capital punishment, an auto caravan pulled into Sacramento bringing 384 University ,Of California faculty signatures on a petition urging abolition of capital punishment. A rodeo rider, billed as a 'minuteman," rode a horse from San Francisco to Sacramento picking up save-Chessman signatures. An unemployed schoolteacher namet Norbert Nicholas went on a save-Chessman hunger strike. Demonstrators picketed __ the California Capitol Building carrying signs “stop institutionalized murder".and "love, not hate." A song has been written and released nationally called ''The Ballad of , Caryl Chessman” which contains the mornful urging, "Let him live, let him live, let him livel" This frenzy has spread across the seas and in the Netherlands, a recording in Dutch called “The Death Song of Chessman" has become popular. An Argentina newspaper has called the Chessman case "the most terrible case that has - faced the world in recent history." PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORD: In July, 1937, Chessman, who was then 16, was arrested by Los Angeles: police for burglary and auto ‘theft, In August, 1937, prior to sentencing on this charge, he escaped from’ custody while undergoing a medical examination. He was arrested . shortly after this escape in the act of robbing a drugstore. On September 6, 1937, he was committed to the Preston School of Industry as a result of this arrest. Currently available records at that school disclose that Chessman was released 4-9~37 by “order of court."' The record does not indicate whether this release was due to parole or upon completion of sentence. Some , newspaper accounts have reflected that Chessman was actually released on | parole at this tinre. ~~ In May, 1938, he was again arrested for burglary and auto theft. On. ° 6~13-38, ‘he was sentenced to Preston School of Industry and was recommitted there’ on 6-18-38. On 6-3-39, he was paroled. Preston records disclose that he was discharged from this parole ¢ on 2-1-40.