Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-08-25
THE GARRETT CASE.

full truth in the premises.
THE GARRETT CASE.
Josie Corbett Testifies for the other
Side This Time.
Justice Lockwood's courtroom was
crowded yesterday at 2 O'Clock, when F,
NJ. Garrett was brought up for his pre-.
liminary examination on the second
complaint, charging him with the crime
Of incest, which is alleged to have beer
committed at different times during the
month Of February last. Mrs. Edgcomb
the defendants daughter, was the first
witness for the prosecution, and in her
testimony, stated that Garrett had been
criminally intimate with her at the Hill
street house, and also at the house at
Eighth street and Myrtle avenue at diff
ferent times during the month of Febru-
ary. The witness retold the story related
by her while on the stand during the first
examination, bringing out details too
vile for publication.
On cross.examination, witness said
that she WAS Garrett's daughter, and had
always been acknowledged by him as his
child. Mrs. Edgcomb then stated that
she had sworn ont the complaint charg-
ing Edgcomb with rape at the instance
of her father, although she knew at the
time there was no truth in the charge.
1t was her idea to seemingly agree with
her father in getting Edgcomb into
trouble, and then when the case came to
trial testify to the facts of the matter,
and tell about the relations existing be.
tween her father and herself.
The sensational event of the day was
the calling of Josie Corbett to the stand
by the prosecution. Mics Corbett, it
will be remembers testified few days
ago in the examination of Garrett on the
first charge, and her testimony at tina,
time was strongly in favor of the de,
| fendant. She told an entirely different
story yesterday.
Her testimony was probably the most
revolving yet brought out in this case,
and most of it is unfit for public alton.
Mr.. Payton stated to the Court that the
statement which the young lady had to
make was most vulgar, and asked that it
be read by the Judge instead of the
young lady having to repeat it verbally.
Defendants attorney objected to the
story being read and insisted that Miss
Corbett relate it. Judge Lockwood then
ordered the courtroom cleared of all but
members of the bar and the reporters,
and the witness, after a great deal OF
hesitation, told how Garrett, while they
were on the Jefferson.street car. rela ed
the story of his illicit relations with his
daughter Malta, which were begun in
St. Louis and kept up until short time
bnfnvo tho hnno 1hlin Witn1cG
also stated that after his arrest Garrett
came to the bakery where she was en-
ployed and handed her documents which
contained statements which he had pre-
pared for her to study, and to which she
was instructed by him to testify when
placed on the stand. Miss Corbett
stated also that instead of being in Santa
Paula on Sunday three weeks ago, as she
rett's house. Garrett gave Josie another
office, which was to be used on the wit
confused and forgot parts OF the story
she was to tell, and Garrett, fearing tina,
she would be called by the prosecution
and would give damaging testimony
against him, wrote her letter, demand
ing that she leave the city or that she
would very likely be arrested for per-
jury. He wanted to send her to Texas
or Denver, and told her that he had
everything fixed for her departure, but
che refused to go. While in Mr.. Will
iams' office one day after she had testi-
| fed, Garrett threw packet of letters in
her lap, and told her not to let Mr..
Williams see them under any condi-
tions. They were read by her and soon
after snatched from her hands by Gar
rett, who tore them up and threw the
scraps out of the window and on to sort
of balcony. Miss Corbett informed
Mr.. Payton and Assistant District At
torney Diehl of the occurrence, and Mr..
Diehl went with her yesterday morning
and recovered the scraps, which he
| pasted together 80 that they could be
read. One of them, which was written
in pencil, was identified as the one re-
ceived by her and in Garrett's hand.
writing. 1t contained the namea of 9
number Of streets and parks in
st. Louis, which she was told te
copy off 30 as not to be caught
and after copying them to destroy
the letter. Garrett said in the epistle
that the only way for him to get cleai
was for Josie to go away, and that he waf
| willing to send her; that should she
again 60 on the stand she would be sc
closely questioned that she would have
to tell the truth, and she would get into
trouble. Instead of destroying the letter
Josie kept part of it, which was read in
court and submitted and filed. Another
letter was read, dated August 18th, and
was addressed to Mrs. Davisson, who re-
sides but a short distance from the Gar
rett house, and who has given valuable
assistance to the prosecution in this case
In this Garrett threatened the lady if she
did not keep what she knew to herself
This letter was also fled as evidence
The witness again went over her testi.
mony as to what Garrett had said about
his relations with his daughter, and was
cross.examined by Mr.. Williams very
rigidly, but no additional facts were
brought out.
An adjournment was then taken unit
tomorrow morning.