Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-05-23
An Extraordinary Scene On California
Court.
The Los Angeles Siaf Of iate date says:


On Saturday, a scene occurred in the Court
house, during the session Of tho Hon, the
District Court, which was somewhat Unusual,
not to say remarkable.
Toward the understanding Of the matter il
may be as well TO go back day in tho his
tory Of events The case of The People rs.
UlivasD has been drawing its slow length
along for weeks before the Court, and last
week, ajury having been obtained, witnesses
were examined In consequence of indis-
position, Col. Kewen, the District Attorney,
was unable to attend Court on Friday, and
his Honor judge Hays appointed Mt. Stur-
geOn, member Of the bar, 10 take his place
and conduct the prosecution; three witnesses,
we understand were examined. That even
ing, q letter appeared in the Southern Netes
rejecting, IN very severe terms, on Col.
Kewct, personally and professionally, es-
pecially in regard to the manner in which hc
has conducted this case On coming to town
next day he called on the publishers of the
paper, requesting the name Of the writer,
when he was informed that the card had been
handed in and paid for by Mr.. Sturgeon
Thereupon, the Colonel, went in search Of
that gentleman, but, up to the time of session
of the court. Col Kewen moved that the
testimony taken the day before be set aside
and tue witnesses be re-examined baSing his
motion on the statements contained in the
"
tor was interested Id defeating the ends Of
justice. He denounced the writer of the
letter in no measured terms, applying TO him
certain severe and unmistakable, aud not
very complimentary epithets! The Judge
granted hls notion but he continued In the
same strain for some time longer, not notic-
ing the interruptions by the Court when Mr.
Z. Sims counsel for the defense, rose and said, !,
that, to stop this line of argument by the
gentleman, he assumed the responsibility Of
the truth Of the statements contained In tie
card. Col. kewen turned on him and applied
to him epithets similar to those be he'd used
in stigmatzing the conduct of Mr.. Sturgeon,
flinging tile paper with contempt toward
him, when Mr.. Sims took up turnblcr which
was on the table and threw it at Col. Kewen,
this was replied to by the inkstand, when the
pitcher was sent after the glass. The missiles
being disposed Of, Col. Kewen drew Der.
ringer pistol from his pocket, and cooked it.,
when his arm was seized by couple of gen.
tlemen, bystanders who disarmed him, but in
thestruggle, the pistol was discharged, the ball
| lodging in the leg of an unfortunate Mexican,
| who happened about that time 10 he standing
| IN the wrong place. Thereupon ensued q
| scene of findescribable confusion. The court
was thronged, and all hands the Jury in
| cluded, panie-struck, rushed in terror from
| the room, over benches, through windows
and doors, the less expert tripping up bring
ing dozens on the top of them, some crawl-
| ing out on all-fours, amid shouting of 'for
| Gods sake, don't shoot" "dont shoot this
wayp run or you'll be all killed." &C., &c
| Meantime, the Judge seized the prisoner, and
kept him safe. After while, the Jury re-
| turned to their box, order was restored, and
the Court adjourned. sg.i. .m3.li au