Los Angeles daily herald., 1890-02-22
LAMANDA's TRAGEDY.
Testimony I'm the Trial OF Philip
Engel for Murder.


Tessinony I'm sac trial OF Philip
Engel for Murder.
After the examination of Mrs. Engel,
sister of the victim Of EngePs rife, much
time was consumed in putting in testi-
mony as to the character of Charles Cur
tis, the defense attempting to prove that
his reputation was bad for peace and
quiet. Several acquaintances gave de-
tailed accounts of little fuses he had
with neighbors. Two or three Of those
who had difficulties with the deceased
told Of the weight of the blows he dealt
them. He seems to have been very
powerful man.
The defendant was then put on the
stand. He told about the same story az
his wife, SO far as it covered the ground.
He denied having struck either his wife
or Curtis on the evening of the fatal en-
counter. When he saw Curtis returning
to the house he feared extreme bodily
harm at his hands, and armed himself
with the rifle. After warning Curtis not
to enter the house, and that one not
needing, he does not remember clearly
what happened. He usually holds the
rife in his left hand, as he shoots from
that side, because his sight is better that
way. He does not remember how he
held the gun on the night OF the killing
After the shot was fired all became q
blank for some time. He said he and
Curtis never had any trouble before.
They were always friends. He taught
him his trade and got him work. He
loaned Curtis $50 to get married, and
l. L = e.
Mrs. Engel was recalled to be further
examined, but nothing important seemed
to be arrived at.
Mrs. Charles Curtis, widow of the
deceased, was put on the stand. She
two minutes before his death. He was
not angry nor excited. He was pale, and
tears were rolling down his cheeks. He
kissed her affectionately, and went over
to Engel's house and was shot.
Mrs. Van Slack was recalled to be
asked questions with view to impeach-
mont. The prosecuting attorney asked
her if she had said to Mrs. Charles Cur
20 20 back? back W What df did you lot him 90 20
back for? If had seen him
20 would not have let him." The wit
ness swore she never said anything OF
the sort.
Mrs. Curtis then was put back on the
stand and swore that Mrs. Van Slack
mad said tohse words to her.
Mrs. Pagan, the mother of Mrs.
Charles Curtis. was called. She told of
her son-in-law coming to her room,
ing of his death. He was not at all
onr~xy ~ a-n;foI He TO ho~. oh n
did not say what about. He then went
out and she got up and put on wrapper
and followed him. He went to Engel's
tered the house. This last statement
for the reason that Mrs. Engel swore
point blank that Mrs. Pagan was not in
the house after the killing.
Mr.. Norman was recalled by the de-
fense. He was near the Engel house,
and heard the first cry of murder. He
ran down to the village and gave the
alarm. He then went back to
Mrs. Van Slack's house to see
he ran to his own house, where he found
Ch4rlie?" She went towards Engel's
house and he followed her. She tried TO
get in the house, even tried to get in the
window, but failed. He went to the
back door, and the people there told him
not to let Mrs. Pagan get in. He kept
her out. The District Attorney tried
hard to tangle him upin his story, and to
make him admit that she might have
gone in while he was running about the
village, but he was positivs that such
could not have been the case.
A host of witnesse, we're put on to tes-
tify to the reputation of G. D. Curtis,
uncle of the deceased, for truth, integrity
and honesty. Many very intelligent and
wholly reputable people said it was good,
or that thev had never heard it called in
question.
H5re both sides rested their case. Ar
gument will be heard on Monday, and
the case will then go to the jury.