Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-02-07
PETER CHALMaN.
HIS EXAMINATION FOR MURDER ONCE
MORE CONTINUED.
Counselor Jones Wanted Until To-day to
Familiarize Himself With the
Facts in the Case.

There was full house yesterday morn
ing long before the Police Court session
opened, the mob being attracted thither by
the expected examination of Peter Chal-
man on the charge of murder, growing out
of the shooting of Edward Shook on Mon
day evening. When the Court opened
Grove L. johnson mildly remarked that
his client, the prisoner, was not present,
and Judge Buckley ordered Chalman
brought into the Courtroom, which was
done.
District Attorney Bruner, City Attorney
Church and Charles T. Jones appeared
for the prosecution. and when the
case was called Mr.. Jones stated
that he had been absent from the city since
the shooting occurred, on Monday, and had
not had an opportunity to consult with the
family and friends of the deceased Edward
P. Shook. Not having had an opportunity
to consult with the District Attorney nor the
City Attorney in regard to the matter, and
the case being an important one, he asked
that the examination be continued until this
morning or Monday morning. True, the
defendant was not entitled to bail until af-
ter the examination and must stay in Jail,
but the situation was an unfortunate one
and could not be avoided.
Mr. johnson objected most strenuously
to any continuance. On the preceding day
the prosecution had announced itself ready,
and the prisoner was present, ready and an
xious to be examined on the charge against
him. The jail is a dark and unhealthy
place, and the prisoner should be kept there
no longer than necessary. The ground on
which continuance was asked was that
the special counsel engaged was not ready,
but the District and City Attorneys were
present and familiar with the case, and
there was no reason why the case should
not go on. He believed the examination
could be completed in one day, and the
prisoner was entitled to prompt examina-
ton.
District Attorney Bruner argued in favor
of continuance. He held that the exam
ination of witnesses before the Coroners
Jury was net thorough, and be and the
CITY Attorney desired to consult with Mr..
Jones in regard to the prosecution. He
appreciated the fact that it was not pleas
ant thing for the prisoner to be confined in
Jail. but that was the condition the latter
found himself in. Whether guilty or in
nocent, the examination should be thor
ough one.
City Attorney Church also requested a con-
tinuance for one day. The case was called
on the preceding day in order to forestall
the possible application by the defense for
writ of habess corpus. Something had
been reported as having been said by him
self and District Attorney Bruner that
never had been said. There is little testi-
mony in the case, and it need not necessa-
rily take long to complete the examination.
He thought the prosecution should have a
little more time i'll which to consult with
the special counsel. 1t was true that no
legal reason had been advanced why con-
tinuance should be had, but the circum-
stances rendered it necessary.
Again Mr.. Johnson urged that the ex-
animation should proceed The defense
had been ready from the first, and the
mere accommodation of counsel was no
ground for continuance. There were
weighty reasons why no continuance
should be granted, which he did not care to
state at that time.
Mr.. Jones replied that continuance was
asked because the law and justice recog-
nized their right to have it. There was no
reason why the defendant should object.
No satisfactory examination could be had
unless II were lull Oue. NJ pleCeueHt
was shown for such hasty examination as
had been demanded in this case. He
wanted time to consult with the other at
torneys for the prosecution and witnesses,
and felt entitled to it.
Judge Buckley said he was aware that it
was embarrassing for counsel to proceed
with a case with which he not had proper
time to familiarize himself. He was in
cliued to think that it would give better
satisfaction to both sides to have full in
vestigation, and under the circumstances
he would continue it for one day.