Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-03-22
THE RIVERA CASE.
Testimony introduced by BOtI
Sides eSterday.

The trial of the Rivera murder case was
resumed in JudgeGardiner's Court yester-
day by the introduction of DR.. c. W. Brown,
OF Pomona, who testified: examined the
body of Espinosa one hour after the sh oot-
ing, I found three gun-shot wounds-one
bullet had passed through the right breast
and had gone through the body, coming out
near the shoulder blade; one had entered
the left side near the lower border of the
ribs, and had passed out near the nipple. The
other bullet had passed thr ough just below
the small of the back. and ranging down.
ward, and had buried itself in the
muscle of the thigh. In addition
there were ten scalp wounds which had
evidently been inflicted wi tn blunt in
strument Wnen l exami ned the body
there were no weapons of any kind found
on the person of Espinosa. 1 found other
than gunshot wounds on the body OF
Espinosa. One was q scalp wound, evi
IDENTIFY received several days before; several
fresh wounds ON the scalp which had the
blunt Instrument the scalp was also
fractured. At the time Rive a came to my
Office, his face and clothing were covered
with blood.
]. Ornelos was next called and testified to
the facts of the killing. Myself and
Alverado were standing in the door at my
saloon when we saw the shooting. The
witness then pointed out the scene OF the
killing upon Il blackboard.
Alfredo Alverado was next called by Mr..
Gage, for the purpose of impeachment:
Know the defendant Rivera. Have not
taken great deal Of interest against him.
swore to the complaint against him,
though, in the Justices Court.
4. Garcia was next called, aud testified as
follows: Live in Pomona, and am in the
restaurant business. Was in my pluce on
the day Of the killing; heard quarrel be
came into The dining-room about 1890
o'clock and went back. He said to Rivera
step outside: Ihave something to say to
you" They went out the back door. Then
when they went outside, heard the stroke
Espinosa struck him. l saw him hit the
blow / think it was with knife, because
saw the knife in his hand when went
out | saw him strike Rivera with the
knife. was inside the dining-room wait
ing on the table. was standing by q table
and looked out and saw them in the yard
| am sure that l saw him cut him with IL
knife.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The prosecution announced that it closed
the case, and the defense opened: with the
evidence of
A. D. Curries, who testified: reside at
Spadra. Was Sheriff of Los Angeles county
for humber of years. lam acquainted
with ]. P. Rivera. His reputation as peace
with Espinosa, and considered him in his
lifetime of bad reputation for peace and
quiet. know OF many quarrels In which
the deceased was engaged. speak of his
ity as an officer, and as neighbor. heard
it eported by different persons that Espin-
osa killed man at Cotton.
Dr. G. w. Brown being recalled, in answer
from all appearances the shot taking effect
in the small of the deceased's back
was inflicted while he was on his hands
and knees, or lying down.
J. NJ. Fryer testified to the good reputation
of the defendant; also to the bad character
of Espinosa, who WAS arrested and convict
ed by witness, who was justice of the
peace. on charge OF assault.
ID. II. Collins being called testified:
know the reputation of EspinOsa and con-
slider 1t bad. l know of several quarrels
and fights in which deceased was engaged.
l have heard number of persons speak OF
Mr. EspinOsa as bad character and dam
gerOus man.
A. B. Colwell testified: 1 reside at spadra
and am acquainted with the defendant and
have always regarded him as peaceable
citizen. Mr.. Espinosas reputation was very
bad. Near my business house there, are
several saloons and Otter there have been
brawls and fights in them. l generally
found Espinosa a IS one of the parties. He
was drinking man and very quarrelous
when under the influence of intoxicating
liquor. consider 1t quite dangerous to be
about him at such times.
Constable M. s. Aguirre testified that he
was serving in the official capacity of
Deputy Sheriff he arres' ed the deceased for
cmbezzlement. He thought he was out on
bonds at the time he was shot. Through
the office he heard of Espinosa. He was
wanted in Nevada on charge of grand lar
ceny. The Sheriff received telegram from
Nevada to that effect.
base my assertion that the deceased had
a bad reputation ON the telegram and upon
what people said about him when l was out
seeking TO make the arrest. One party at
quainted with deceased and warned me
that If he should discover that was in
search of him he would 'do me up"
A. Berry, a constable, and several other
witnesses were called and testified to the
bad character of Espinosa. The case will
be resumed at 10 A. NJ. this morning.