Los Angeles daily herald., 1890-02-04
IN THE COURTS.
baltimore Has Probably Cooked
HIS G0Oke-E1c.. EIC.


His G0Ose-Etc., Etc.
The piece de resistance in the courts
Yesterday was the trial of John E. Latti-
more for arson. The details of the offense
we're given in the HERALD last week.
Yesterday baltimore was on the stand,
and absolutely took away the breath of
all within hearing by his testimony. The
negro has developed a new theory as to
the fire. 1t had been rumored that Lat
timore would at some stage Of the game
assert that A. B. Chapman had become
financially embarrassed and had set fire
to his premises to raise the wind. AS
Chapman at the time of the first fire had
gone to w. J. Brodiick and told him he
suspected baltimore of the deed, and as
after the second fire all the insurance had
been Cancelled on Cbapman's place, this
theory would not work. The first fire
destroyed $4,000 worth of property, and
the insurance came to $3.50. The
second fire destroyed a barn worth
$500 to 81 900, with eighty tons of hay,
and the insurance amounted to only $500.
Any fire after this was total loss to
Chapman as he had no insurance on his
property. This is surmised to be The
reason why baltimore changed his base
az to his theory of the fires. Yesterday
he went on the stand and cody swore
that in 1887, one day in September, Scott
Chapman, son of A. B., was in an orange
house On the ranch with the negro, and
there developed plan for their mutual
benefit. baltimore alleges that Scott
had gray mare which he wished to sell
for $3.50 They had been speaking of some
lots young Chapman had bought but
could not pay for. Certain young seflor-
itas, of the mission, were discussed and
other affairs that called for ready cash.
The negro was to sell the gray mare and get
a commission, then the talk drifted into
a plan by which Scott Chapman and the
negro conspired to burn down the build
ings of his father to get money out of the
old man. The elder Chapman was to be
driven away and the ranch was to be
leased to the negro. baltimore also al
| legged bad feeling as existing between the
two Chapmans and between the young
man and his stepmether.
The whole business is very novel in it's
boldness, but it looks as if the negro had
put his head in the halter this time.
Scott Chapman went on the stand and
denied IN toto the negro's testimony in
each and every particular. Mr.. Chap.
man followed in the same strain. Hud.
dleson, the man who lived in the house
the negro is charged with burning, was
alleged to be party to the conspiracy.
He followed the elder Chapman and gave
the straight lie to all of Lattimore's story
90 far as he is concerned in it. The case
will be argued this morning and then
90 to the jury. After this is done with,
there is likely to be second trial for
perjury growing out of this testimony.
Judge Wade yesterday rendered de-
cision in the case of Parcels vs.. the
City of Los Angeles. Judgment was
found for the defendant. In his decision
Judge Wade finds that not only is Cap
tain Parcels not entitled to any back pay
from the city, but that he has been over
paid by the latter for his serviceu as Tax
Collector.
G. l.. Bannister was arrested by the
Sheriff yesterday for contempt OF court
The order for his arrest came from Judge
CLARK of the Superior Court. Some time
ago Bannister was directed to pay to his
divorced wife money for counsel fees and
alimony. This he failed to do, hence
J his arrest.
The Carl Browne matter went over
until tomorrow. The same order was
entered as to the term trial calendar in
Department 1.
The case against Muriano Mayo was
dismissed on motion of the District At
torney.
!; John Steiner, native of Germany
was made citizen in Department 8.
The Edelman cases in Department
were put over until today.
The Boyce case was put over in De
, partment 6, owing to the illness of Judge