Weird news from 60 years ago today

[deepceleron]

I was reading an Apr 21 1953 newspaper, with stories in it like the FBI arresting a union leader who "lied" about not being communist, and came across this gem (I had to type for you):

 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A 47 year old man chose five years in the state penitentiary rather than a suspended sentence yesterday to be with a man whose friendship he prized more than freedom.

  Lee Clark was arrested and charged with larceny of an automobile. It was his first offense. His accomplice, Leon Wilkerson, had one previous conviction against him. He was also charged with the burglary of a city sporting goods store.

  Both pleaded guilty in district court last week, and Public Defender Charles Moss recommended a five year sentence.

  But Joe T. Martin, assistant county attorney, pointed out Clarks's record was spotless prior to this offense and he was entitled to a suspended sentence.

  The judge agreed, and phoned Deputy Sheriff E. A. (Boots) Capshaw the good news.

  But Capshaw said the men would not be parted.  "That's the way they want it. That's the only way they'd cooperate with me," he said.

  He quoted the convicted pair as saying, "We've agreed we'll go for five years and we'll go together."

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[1714843872]

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[John (John K.)]

Inb4 it is revealed that the other man is his wife.

[bitcoinBull]

Inb4 it is revealed that the other man is his wife.

Or maybe his lover?

[myrkul]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Love_You_Phillip_Morris

[deepceleron]

I just did a Googling, and found a follow-up story from Apr 24 1953, the guy didn't go to jail (which he probably didn't regret come 1955 or 1957):

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A man who wanted to go to jail for five years to be with his pal waas freed yesterday by District Judge Clarence Mills despite his protest.

  Oscar Lee Clark had pleaded guilty to a car theft charge earlier in the week. He asked for a five year term like the one given his friend, Leon Wilkerson, who was sentenced for car theft and burglary.

  But Clark had no previous convictions, and an assistant district attorney recommended a suspended sentence. Clark said no thanks, he wanted to go to jail. He had agreed with Wilkerson they would stay together, and he wanted it that way.

  But Judge Mills paid no heed. "This doesn't make sense," he said. "Everybody that comes before me wants out." He suspended Clark's five-year sentence.