14 - Against the Death Penalty: A Campaign for Clemency in 1914

Summary

On 25 April 1914 an enormous crowd went out on to the streets of Toledo, marching towards the gates of the Spanish government delegation to voice their strong protest. Local businesses had also closed to convey their discontent, in order to support the demonstration. The protesters unanimously sought one thing: the pardon of Aniceto Camuñas. The accused was well known to the authorities; he had previously been jailed for burglary, and at his last appearance in court had been condemned to death for the cold-blooded murder of his wife, who, to make matters worse, had been pregnant. The sentence had been ratified by the Supreme Court only a week before the demonstration for clemency. Execution by garrotte was to take place in the prison of Toledo, where the prisoner was detained while awaiting the final declaration of sentence (see Anon. 1914a; Anon. 1914b; Anon. 1914c).

The image the public were able to get of the accused from the local press was of an unscrupulous or disturbed habitual offender, and there was not thought to have been any fault of procedure, torture or political involvement in his treatment while the case had been investigated. Nothing of this nature was suggested during the trial, either by the defence or in the press, that would kindle the support of the political or social groups that were most critical of legal and political institutions at the time. Nor would it have been possible to arouse any sort of community support in Toledo regarding the misfortune or harsh treatment about to be faced by one of their own, someone with whom they might have common bonds or experiences, ties of family, friendship or social dealings. The accused came from Madridejos, a village of La Mancha more than 70 kilometres from Toledo, increasing the likelihood that he had never set foot in the city until his arrival at the prison there. However, as soon as the news about him broke in the local press, an enormous movement of public opinion clamouring for change broke out in Toledo, demanding his pardon regardless of his undeniable guilt in the matter (Anon. 1914d). On 30 April 1914, five days after the demonstration, the village was relieved to receive the confirmed decree of pardon for the accused.