![REAGAN, Ronald (1911-2004). Autograph note signed (“RR”) as Governor of California to Charles A. O’Brien, Sacramento [April 1967], penned in the lower half of O’Brien’s original incoming letter, 13 April 1967.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/NYR/2018_NYR_16392_0209_000(reagan_ronald_autograph_note_signed_as_governor_of_california_to_charl101031).jpg?w=1)
PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE CALIFORNIA COLLECTION
REAGAN, Ronald (1911-2004). Autograph note signed (“RR”) as Governor of California to Charles A. O’Brien, Sacramento [April 1967], penned in the lower half of O’Brien’s original incoming letter, 13 April 1967.
Details
REAGAN, Ronald (1911-2004). Autograph note signed (“RR”) as Governor of California to Charles A. O’Brien, Sacramento [April 1967], penned in the lower half of O’Brien’s original incoming letter, 13 April 1967.
One page total, 217 x 280mm (minor creasing at upper left corner).
Reagan warns against “fun & games in the press room” following a press conference on the impending execution of Aaron Mitchell. During an 11 April 1967 press conference, Deputy Attorney General O’Brien had been misquoted to Reagan as stating that “capital punishment is no real deterrent” and here he writes to inform the Governor that he “said no such thing.” Reagan, in turn, explains, “I guess all of us have to be on guard against the ‘fun & games’ in the press room. Unfortunately this distortion had been printed prior to the press conference so I was more careless than I should have been and didn’t refuse to comment.” The press conference in question related to Aaron Mitchell, who had been sentenced to death for the murder of a Sacramento policeman. Reagan refused to grant clemency – despite an all-night vigil outside of the Reagan home – and Mitchell was executed on 12 April.
One page total, 217 x 280mm (minor creasing at upper left corner).
Reagan warns against “fun & games in the press room” following a press conference on the impending execution of Aaron Mitchell. During an 11 April 1967 press conference, Deputy Attorney General O’Brien had been misquoted to Reagan as stating that “capital punishment is no real deterrent” and here he writes to inform the Governor that he “said no such thing.” Reagan, in turn, explains, “I guess all of us have to be on guard against the ‘fun & games’ in the press room. Unfortunately this distortion had been printed prior to the press conference so I was more careless than I should have been and didn’t refuse to comment.” The press conference in question related to Aaron Mitchell, who had been sentenced to death for the murder of a Sacramento policeman. Reagan refused to grant clemency – despite an all-night vigil outside of the Reagan home – and Mitchell was executed on 12 April.