Four Years, Then a Federal Appeal: Lybarger Ordered to Walla Walla
Convicted in Thurston County of a sexual offense against 13-year-old Elsie Patnude, John G. Lybarger loses his state appeal; his wife and father-in-law had posted $3,500 bail while the case dragged on.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
John G. Lybarger, who was sentenced by Judge Irwin to four years in the penitentiary at Walla Walla for the offense against 13-year-old Elsie Patnude, will be taken to that institution in a few days. His sentence will date from October 1890. In July last the case was appealed to the supreme court; the decision of the lower court was affirmed. A rehearing was asked on an alleged imperfection in the transcript, and pending the action of the supreme court Judge Robinson admitted Lybarger to bail on September 5 in the sum of $3,500, his wife and her father, James Mix, furnishing the bond. As soon as the remittitur is returned to the superior court Lybarger will be taken to Walla Walla.
Lybarger will appeal his case to the United States supreme court, but during that time he will be confined.
“Lybarger will appeal his case to the United States supreme court, but during that time he will be confined.”
The case is a reminder of how long appeals and bail can stretch a sentence, and of the era’s euphemisms around child sexual abuse. Washington’s courts still wrestle with backlogs and appellate delays, while victims’ advocates argue that the legal process itself can compound harm.
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