Los Angeles herald., 1891-06-23
The Plea Made for Renault,
The Rape Fiend.
Damron Gets a Jury to Decide
the Question.
Mrs. Eich0lz Tells the Story of Her
Escape from the Beast.
The Brutal Assault Made on Her in Her
House-How She Escaped-The
Testimony Given Yesterday.

The trial of Jean Renault for assault
ing Mrs. Emma Eicholz with intent to
commit rape, on Stevenson street, Boyle
Heights, on May 13, was commenced
yesterday before Judge Smith and jury
in department one of the superior court.
District Attorney McLachlan and Dep
uty Phibbs appeared for the people and
Renault was defended by J. M. Damron.
The prosecution first called to the
stand the complaining witness. Mrs.
Echolz, who told the story of Renault' IS
assault as follows: The defendant came
to the rear door of her house on Steven
son street shortly before O'Clock on the
afternoon of May 18th, and asked for a
drink Of water. She went inside to get
it and Renault followed. When they
were both in the kitchen the defendant
seized her and threw her to the floor,
putting his hand over her mouth
to stifie her cries and planting
his knees upon her abdomen, at
the same time reaching down to catch
hold of her dress. There are no houses
in the immediate neighboreood of the
Eicholz place, so the noise of the scuff1e
was not heard. Mrs. Eicholz, becoming
exhausted in her fight with Renault,
who is a powerful man, hit upon
scheme to escape. Managing to get her
mouth free, she told her assailant that
if he would let her up she would go
with him into the bedroom. Renault
fell into the trap and allowed Mrs.
Eicholz to arise, but he still kept a hold
on her dress to prevent her escaping.
Mrs. Eichoz led the way toward the
front part of the house, and as she
neared the door, made dash and got
away, Renault following close upon her
heels. The frightened woman ran as
fast as she could toward the residence
of M. f. Collins: where she sank ex-
hausted on the porch,
Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Hoffman, Mrs.
Gridley and others heard her screams as
she ran from the house and they all
gathered about as she lay on Mrs. Col
iins's porch. Some one got pistol and
w. Fl. Gould, who arrived at this time,
covered Renault with it and held him
till the arrival or the police.
Mrs. Ella Collins. Mrs. L. E. Hoffman
and Mrs. Amelia A. Gridley were also
called to the stand and testified to see
ing Renault follow Mrs. Eicholz out of
Cllo mouse. lne IellOW 3 clOGHeS were all
unbuttoned and Mrs. Eicholz's face was
badly cut and scratched. W. H. Gould
and Police Officer Gridley also testified,
and then DR.. M. L. Moore was called.
The latter witness was Mrs. Eicholz's
physician after the assault, and testified
that she was very badly injured by
Renault.
The prosecution then rested and the
defense called DIR. Nadeau. Attorney
Damron's first question was as to
whether the physician considered Re
nault insane, from his own knowledge of
the man. The prosecution objected and
a long discussion followed, which ended
in the jury being dismissed till 10
O'Clock this morning pending the ruling
of the court on the admissibillty of such
evidence.
DR.. Nadeau was examined before the
court, and Judge Smith, at the end OF
his testimony, issued a special venire
for a jury to try Renault as to his in
sanity. The jury will be selected at 10
a. m. today and the assault case will be
continued until the result of the insan-
ity trial is known.