Justice was swift in the year 1900. The murder of Billy Simpson had taken place on the night of February 27th, and his body was found on the 28th. On March 2nd Steve Thompson and John Richards were arrested, and it was not long before they confessed to the crime. They were held in the Chico jail until their arraignment on March 9th in Oroville.

The two men were held in the same cell, and Thompson came up with a plot to escape. When Richards’ mother visited in the jail, he told her of the plan to “sandbag” the jailer, steal his keys, and let themselves out. Richards was nervous and did not want any part in a plot that would only get them in deeper trouble.

Richards and Thompson were separated. Mrs. Harriet Young, the mother of Johnny Richards, visited him every day in jail. Steve Thompson seems not to have had any friends or family to care about him.

Less than three weeks after the murder, Thompson and Richards were in court before Judge Gray. Once again the newspapers contrasted the two: Richards tearful and remorseful, and Thompson with his “defying grin.” Both men pleaded guilty and the judge decided to take testimony before pronouncing sentence.

Sheriff Sylvester H. Wilson recounted the arrest and confessions of the two suspects. Mrs. Bidwell took the stand to attest to their characters.

Mrs. Bidwell was called and testified regarding the character of John Richards. She said that she had known him since he was a child about five years of age; that he had been a hard-working boy, and she had petted him considerably. [i.e., she had favored him and given him attention when a child.] Thompson she had known only a short time. She considered him hopelessly ignorant.

Chico Record 20 March 1900

In her diary Annie wrote:

Mon., March 19

Up at 4.30 A.M. At 6.5 this A.M., Mr. & Mrs. Garrison, Mrs. Thornton & self over to Oroville to see Johnny Richards who, with Steve Thompson were to be arraigned for murder this A.M. Arrived a few moments before time. Mrs. G. saw the boys & prayed with them, while Mrs. Thornton & I went to see Dist. Atty. Sentence was pronounced on them about 10.20 O’C and Judge Gray, seeing our interest, took our testimony as to the boy’s character, which testimony he would give the privilege for a petition to the Gov. in 15 years, for Johnny’s pardon, in view of Johnny’s previous character as given by us.

Steve Thompson admitted that he was the one who killed Billy Simpson: “I kill him” was how Annie recorded it in her diary. He said John Richards did not beat Simpson with the iron pipe. Both admitted to taking several drinks of liquor before the crime. Statements were also taken from Richards’ sobbing mother and both attorneys.

Attorney McGee, representing the Indians, made a brief address in the course of which he asked that clemency be shown both defendants, because of the extreme ignorance of the one and the youth of the other. He also called attention to the fact that liquor had aroused the savage instincts and prompted the deed. He asked that justice be tempered with mercy.

Since a sentence of hanging would have been entirely possible, justice was indeed tempered with mercy, and Judge Gray sentenced both men to prison for life. The next day they were delivered by the sheriff to San Quentin.

Next time: The Aftermath of Murder