The Evening critic., 1884-07-18
THE CASE OF MR.. A. B. WILLIAMS.


He Asks for nm Immediate Trial.
but the Case Goes Over Until Oe-
fober.
The case Of the United States against
Arthur B. Williams, well-known attor-
ney Of this city, was assigned for trial in
the Criminal Court to-day. The indct-
ment was one of batch found at the time
indictments were turned out almost by
the bushel against tho ex-detectives, aud
charged Mr.. Williams with, on March 81,
1852, having in his possession, with in
tent to defraud the owner, gold watch
and set of jewclry, the property of Miss
Annie Ellis.
District Attorney worthington, in call
ing attention to the case, said that he had
been called on by Judge Jere Wilson, the
counsel, and consented to 60 to trial to-day
conditional ON his witnesses being present
He found that two of them, the most i'm
portant, were out of the city, and as con-
sequence he was unable to proceed He
had promised Mr.. Williams trial before
the recess was entered upon, and set the
day once or twice. Each time, however,
Mr.. Williams had requested delay, stating
that he wished to have tho cases against
his clients (ex-detectives) disposed of first
Mr.. Williams asked permission to speak
and it being accorded him, he said that 1t
was true that he had been urging the Dis
trict Attorney for trial, but on each oc-
casion the case of some one of his clients
was also set down, the last time being the
cases against Miller and McElfresh. He
did not feel that he ought to set tho cases
Of his clients aside to give attention to per-
sonal matters, although he was satisfied
that the case in its present status had In
jured him and was still injuring him. He
was anxious for trial and was willing to
admit as fact all that the two absent wit
nesses would testify to, If that would OK
pedite the hearing.
Mr.. Worthington said that by Miss Ellis
he expected to prove description OF the
property stolen, and also to prove it was
the same property which Mr.. Williams had
in his possession.
Judge Wylie wished to know if Mr..
Williams was willing to admit that.
Mr.. Williams said that was not the fact,
but he would even admit that for the SAX
of getting trial. 1t was not necessary to
wait for q description of the property. If
the District Attorney could not give 1t he
could, for Miss Ellis had given 1t from the
witness stand under oath, and he remem-
bered it perfectly. 1t was gold, hunting
case enameled watch, with
IN pPVhh
The District-Atorney could not prove by
Miss Ellis that the property lost by her was
the same he had in his possession. for she
never saw it. But he would admit that II
answered the general description Of the
| property lost by her. He received 1t from
| certain source and subsequently had q
consultation with Major Morgan in regard To
| 1t. Nothing was done and he returned the
| property through the same channel he re-
| ceived 1t to the party from whom 1t came
| Miss Ellis did not see 1t while in his pos
session, and therefore could not testify
| whether or not it was the same property
lost by her. If 1t would hasten trial, how
ever, he would admit .as fact thai it was
the same property.
| Mr.. Worthington said it was ascertained
that the two witnesses were out Of the city
and could not be gotten in day. Three
weeks ago they were here and he could
have gone to trial. Mr.. Williams must
blanc himself for the delay. He had prom
ised him trial before the recess, and woulC
have done so had 1t not been that he re
quested postponement.
Judge Wylie said that he could not force
the Government for trial under the circum
stances. If IL had been q case set for tra
by the Court then he could have compelled
the Government to proceed. He did no
see how anything could be done, aud tn,
case would have to 90 over.
Mr.. Worthington was willing to set tn
case down for trial on tho first day Of tn
reconvening of the court after the recess.
Judge Wylie inquired of Mr. Williams /
that was satisfactory to him, and balm
answered in the affirmative, set the trial 70
that day.