Governor Harold Hughes Phone Call to President John F. Kennedy

In the first months of Hughes' governorship, a controversial execution was set to take place at the state's legendary Fort Madison prison. Victor Feguer was sentenced to the federal crime of murder after kidnapping then killing a young Dubuque doctor across state lines in Illinois. Hughes was morally opposed to capital punishment and called the President of the United States, John Kennedy, seeking a commutation.

Governor Hughes: The only basis I could appeal for at all would be I am personally opposed to capital punishment, and I really feel that the majority of people in Iowa are.

President Kennedy: Right, right.

Governor Hughes: And I don't know on what basis you were advised on this, but just on the chance that you might possibly review the case again, I felt an obligation to personally talk to you about it.

President Kennedy: Well, I went through it, Governor, I read the story and then I got a letter from the man, and I've never really, I'm not -- the crime was so brutal is what finally made me decide not to go for clemency, and was so deliberate.

Governor Hughes: There's really some question in my mind, though the man is legally sane, apparently he is a schizophrenic-paranoid, which is a vicious combination according to the reports I've had here, that he is probably not responsible for a lot of the things he does, although he does know the difference between right and wrong as far as legal sanity is concerned.

President Kennedy: The fellow that he killed came from Iowa, did he?

Governor Hughes: Yes, he was a Dubuque doctor.

President Kennedy: When is this sentence supposed to be carried out?

Governor Hughes: Supposed to be carried out the morning of the 15th, early in the morning.

President Kennedy: Let's see, that's Friday. Well, Governor, why don't I take a look at the matter Monday and then I will call you back.

Governor Hughes: If you would, I would certainly appreciate it, Mr. President.

President Kennedy: Oh, fine. Now is our, your call to me, is that known? Or is that --

Governor Hughes: No, this call is strictly unknown.

President Kennedy: But it's your feeling that we ought to commute him to life.

Governor Hughes: It's my personal feeling that you ought to commute his sentence to life. It would be greatly appreciated if it could be done. It's your judgment to make that call.

President Kennedy: Okay Governor, I'll call you.

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