Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-03-11
THE BoDKIN CASE.
Ehe Defense lntroduces its Test
fmOmY.

1mOmYs
The trial of ]. ]. Bodkin for the
murder of Lucius Elam, was resumed
in Department One yesterday at 10 A.
N. During the morning session the
evidence heretofore introduced was
again heard and the prosecution
closed its case. In the afternoon
ses ,ion the defense opened its case by
the introduction of Mrs. ]. L. Bod
kin on behalf of her husband. She
testified that on the morning of the
shooting Mr.. Bodkin was ill, but
about 8 A. M. her two boys came
running into the house stating that
Mr.. Elam was in the road and threat
ened to "thrash" them. Mr.. Bodkin
got up and went out. She heard
Elan say "D- you, have you whore
want you, now" Soon after she
heard the report of pistol. Con ac-
count of illness, Mrs. Bodkin was ex-
cused from further testimony for a
few hours.)
Miss Ida Parker testified: "I have
known Mr.. and Mrs. Bodkin for a
number of years. Before Elan was
shot lived with them. remember
that one night while at Bodkin's place
I heard the dogs barking, and soon
Mrs. Bodkin came to me and said
someone was in the yard. We went
to the window, and while there, some
one threw stone or other hard SUBJ
stance against the house. Early in
the morning was awakened by the
dogs barking fiercely. l got
up and went to the window
and saw a man standing on
the foot-bridge throwing at the dogs.
A short time after l went to stay with
Mrs. Bodkin l made bar with which
to fasten the door of the shed which
was situated at the back of the house.
During the time was there l always
barred the door. One morning we
found the fence in the front Of the
house all torn down. 1t was a fence
of eighteen posts and several strands
of wires. The posts were pulled up
but the wires were not broken. Mr..
Bodkin's little boy and I put them
back. 1t took us half a day to re-
build it.
j. P. Parker testified: l am ac-
quainted with j. j. Bodkin and know
his general reputation. 1t is good, l
should say.
Mrs. Cardell: l stopped with Mrs.
Bodkin for some weeks, a month or so
prior to the shooting. MIR. Bodkin
was at home part of the time. He was
unwell and appeared to be troubled
NTH h.rar lilo cf hr,o
Mr.. r. Smith testified: l am ac-
quainted with the defendant, having
worked for him at different times. L
built wire fence for him. The posts
were set about twenty-five inches deep
and tamped in with crowbar. About
two weeks aiterward found the fence
all down. 1t appeared that the posts
had been pulled up. While l was
employed there MIR. Bodkin COM
planned of someone prowling about
his house. One morning after
ward 1 found tracks about
the house in the soft earth.
] noticed the tracks carefully and dis
covered that both OF the boots
worn by the person who made them
were ron over in peculiar way. l
afterwards examined the boots of Mr..
Elan and they appeared to be run
over in the same manner. CA pair of
boots identified as those of Mr.. Elan
were exhibited to the witness, who
stated they were not the ones worn
by Elan at the time he observed
them).
Mr.. Cardell testified: l know the
defendant, and met Elam once or
twice before his death. Once in the
company of Mr.. Smith l observed
the boots worn by Mr.. Elan and no.
ticed that they were both run over to
the righF. This was the day before
Elam was shot.
At this point the Court adjourned
until 10 A. NJ. Monday.