John Roberts's Big Claim

New York, 1895

He Wants $101,838 from the State for False Imprisonment.

John Roberts, who has filed a claim for $101,838 with the state board of claims at Albany, under a law passed at the late session, is a box manufacturer at 356 Fulton street, Brooklyn,

The claim is based on the fact that he was wrongfully accused of participation in a masked burglary and robbery at the house of Mr. H. Green, in Long Island City, on the night of Dec. 22, 1876. He was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to a term of twenty-one years in state prison. After nearly a year's confinement he satisfied the authorities of his complete innocence of the crime and was pardoned by Gov. Robinson.

Mr. Roberts assesses the damages he sustained at $75,000 for injuries to his reputation and feelings; $11,070 for loss of income and injury to business; $1,700 for counsel fees; $14,068 as interest.

The two surviving participators in the burglary have professed their willingness to come forward and testify for Mr. Roberts.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 1.