Letter from Albert Fuller

On June 18, 1954, former state senator Albert Patterson, the Democratic Party's nominee for state attorney general, was shot to death as he left his law office in Phenix City, Alabama. Chief Deputy Sheriff Albert Fuller was convicted of the murder and on March 11, 1955, he was sentenced to life in prison. Fuller was paroled in 1965 and lived in Mobile, Alabama until dying in 1969 of injuries suffered in a fall from a ladder.

During the 1940's, Fuller provided legal protection to area houses of prostitution for a cut of up to half the profits. He was mean son-of-a-bitch by most accounts, but he had friends and acquaintances like anybody else. One of those acquaintances was my grandfather, William R. Belcher. My grandfather was a local attorney and had helped defend Hoyt Shepherd in the Fate Leeburn murder trial in 1946. Later in his career, my grandfather served as both a municipal and circuit court judge. I'm sure my grandfather and Fuller were acquainted through work, though I'm not certain how deep that friendship ran.

The following is the contents of a letter written to my grandfather by Albert Fuller while he was serving time in prison. I've also have attached a link to a copy of the handwritten letter. The original letter was donated to the Columbus State University Archives.

Monday Night

Dear Judge,

Hi Mr Bill hope this finds you and Mrs Mary and the children fine. Guess you will be surprise to hear from me. I just wanted you to know that I am so glad you elected, wish I could have been there to help you. If you will remember you and I were always together, when the rest would split. Bill I know you will make the folks a fine judge and a fair one. And there is no one that is more deserving than you. I have always had the most for you in every way. I have never had a chance to talk to you since all the mess over there. And that is one of the reasons I wanted to write you a note. Mr Bill I did “not” kill Mr Patterson or was I up there at the time. Always remember that. I am not made like that. You know me. I don’t know how long I will have to stay here, but some day I hope to prove to the Public and to some of my friends were there is a doubt in there mind. I will, for I feel free inside of myself, for I know that I did not do it and when the time comes to go before the old master upstairs I want (probably won’t) be the one to have to answer for it.

Bill I hold no hate in my heart for any one, they thought they knew what they were doing I guess. Bill while you are on the bench think about it and always try and keep from sending a young kid down here, for it does not do them any good just hurts. I know every one has there duty to do, but by giving a kid another change (probably chance) is a good duty. I have seen so much in the past three years, it just makes me sick to see these teen age kids come here. There I go feel sorry for someone else, better be thinking of myself. Huh! Ha. Ha.

Bill just wanted you to know I was thinking of you and do a lots. And as I have said they could not have found a man more deserving than you, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I use to feel real close to you, still do guess that is why I was so glad you were elected. I will close for now, hoping for you the best of everything in the world. Give Mrs Mary my regards.

Your Friend
Albert

Stumble It!

Story ID:	24
Written by:	Scott R. Lupo (bio, contact, other stories)
Organization:	OurEcho
Story type:	Letter
Location:	Phenix City Alabama USA
Year:	1954
Person:	Albert Fuller Albert Patterson