Los Angeles herald., 1890-07-17

On Tuesday morning last, while he was
busily engaged in a jury trial. Damron
went to him on the bench and stated
that he wanted him to sign another note
for $110, as he did not want Chadwick to
know that he was borrowing so much
money. Damron gave him something to
sign, and as what he said was sat
isfactory, he did so without paying
any attention to the contents OF
the document. There was no other
name signed to it at that time, and he
supposed it was another joint note with
Damron. Yesterday morning he re-
ceived notice from the bank, inform
ing him that it had bought note signed
jointly by himself and E. T. Wright, and
payable to Getchell's order. Not know
ing anything about it he at once went to
the bank and denounced it as forgery
but suddenly recollected that Damron
had asked him in court to sign note,
and as he had since the commencement
of the examination been informed by
Damron that it was the same one, he
was willing to admit having signed it.
AS for the check, Justice Lockwood said
he had absolutely no recollection OF
signing it,and was at loss to understand
the matter, as the signature was quite
as good as that on the note.
On cross-examination he admitted
that he was sorry to say that he was in
the habit of endorsing notes for his
friends, and although he had frequently
been nipped, he still continued to &C
commodate them. He stated emphati-
cally that he had not received one cent
of the proceeds of either note or check.
In regard to his first visit to the district
attorneys office he stated thatJ M. Dam
ron had asked him to 60 up there and see
what could be done. He did not 90 for
himself, however, and told Mr.. Kelly SO,
distinctly, at the time.
j. M. Damron then went on the stand
on behalf of the defendant Lockwood,
and stated that the latter had no inter
est whatever in the check or note, nor
did he have any knowledge at the time
of signing it that any one else was ex-
pected to do so.
On cross-examination he told of mis-
visit to Justice Lockwood's court and
testified that otter the signature of the
note he returned and obtained the JUS
tees signature to the check while he
was busy. He declined to answer any
questions at that time as to what be-
came Of the note, or who signed the
check, but promised to do so later. He,
however, declared positively that it was
not Lockwood who signed E. I. Wright's
name to the note.
There being prospect of continu-
ance at the close of Damron's testimony,
Justice Lockwood stated that he had
made his defense and the court was in a
position to form an opinion of the case
against him; and in view of the testi-
mony alreadyin he asked that in case of
continuance he be allowed to go upon
his own recognizances. After short
parley the prosecution rested its case,
and brief argument followed. at the
close of which the court discharged the
defendant. A scene of the widest
excitement ensued, the large audi
ence applauding with feet, hands
and voices until suppressed by
the bailiffs at the order of the court.
The defendant was completely un-
manned and burst into tears, and he
was escorted from the court room by his
friends. The other defendants, Damron
and Chadwick, were placed under bonds
in the sum of 81 900 to appear for exam
ination a. 2 O'Clock this afternoon. Mr..
Bosbyshell stated last night that in his
opinion Justice Lockwood was not the
guilty party.