Los Angeles herald., 1891-02-11
AMONG THE COURTS.
A CASE INVOLVING THE LIMITS OF
SAN PEDRO.
and the Edelmans-Palma on Trial.
Court News Notes.

Three Criminal Cases Grand Jurors
and the Edelmans-Palma on Trial
Court News Notes.
San Pedro is again agitated from CEN
ter to circumference, il the latter limit
can be defined, and the fixing of that
boundary is at present creating no little
excitement in that usually quiet sea-
port. The existing excitement has its
origin in an election which was held
some time ago restricting or abridging
the limits OF the town. The people
living in the suburbs decided that living
in an Incorporated town was rather ex-
pensive, so, in response to a petition, an
election was held with the object Of de
creasing the area Of the city. 1t lie alleged
there were five factions, each hav-
ing its idea OF the proper area to be
contained in the city limits and each
had o ticket in the field. There seems
to have been no definite conclusion re-
sulting from the election, and the in
habitants are said to consider them
selves in or out OF the city according to
their moods. It appears that F. Weld
wald is the proprietor of O saloon in the
suburbs and concluded that he was out
of the city limits, and therefore
refused to pay license into the treasury
OF the body corporate. He was there
fore arrested and re-arrested until four
cases were pending against him. He at
tempted to get change of venue, but
was refused by Recorder Sweet. The
defendant therefore prays Judge Smith
to grant writ of prohibition restrain
ing the recorder from trying the cases
against him. The affidavit also insinuates
that the recorder is not acting solely
upon the opinion that he can dispense
"even-handed Justice" but that he is
further influenced by certain $40 fee
offered by the board OF trustees, which
for the purpose is termed salary. The
demurrer was argued and ordered SUBJ
mitted on briefs, Judge Smith allowing
three days for filing and one in which
to answer.
THREE CRIMINAL CASES.
Mrs. Mamie Calvert and her para
muur, William Crumb, were arraigned
before Judge Smith yesterday and Feb
ruary 18th set as the time to plead.
James Barker and Robert Black, the
youthful burglars. will answer to the
charge before Judge Smith today.
In the case of the People vs.. Wong
Wang, in which the defendant was con-
victed of conducting percentage game,
j. e., Chinese pool, the bill of exceptions
was settled, signed and filed yesterday.
THE EDELMAN CASES.
The examination of the grand jurors
as to their "bias and prejudice" against
Henry and B. w. 'Edelman will be re-
sumed before Judge Smith today.
PALMA ON TRIAL.
The trial of Louis Palma on the
charge of assault with intent to kill was
set for 10 a. m. yesterday, before Judge
Smith. At that hour the defendant ap-
peared in court, but his counsel, III. @.
Grant, was not present. The defendant
was given permission to search for his
attorney but returned unsuccessful. At
IL O'Clock the court was informed that
at O'Clock in the morning Mr.. Grant
was very sick man, and court was
therefore adjourned until 80 in the
afternoon in order to give Mr.. Grant
an opportunity to explain his
absence. A few moments after adj
journment he appeared with his
neck swathed in flannel and in
formed those present that this time it
was "tonsilitis." He was present in the
afternoon, and the taking OF testimony
was commenced.
Palma's crime, which occasioned no
little excitement at the time, was the
shooting OF Frank Donate in the latter's
store at Alpine and Pearl streets, on the
morning OF December 9Th. The evidence
went to show that Palma entered Dona-
to's store and began abusing him in re-
gard to trivial transaction with their
baker concerning the sale of bread to
Palma. This Donate denied. Finally,
slapped him and told him to leave the
store. Palma walked towards the door,
but after taking. a few steps, stopped,
and, drawing his pistol, shot Donate,
inflicting a serious wound in the side.
Palma then fled, and eluded pursuit for
several days, butwas finally captured on
the east side.
r SUPERIOR COURT NOTES.
The case of the Arroyo Ditch and
Water company VS.. E. Standlee occupied
the attention of Judge Mckinley yester-
day. This is a suit to collect an assess
ment of $21, which the defendant stock
holder alleges he has paid.
The case OF Alvarado vs.. Romero is
still on before Judge Wade. The testi-
mony is taken through an interpreter,
as the majority of the witnesses are
Spaniards unable to speak English.
One ancient caballero, relic of the an
cient regime, has been on the stand for
several days. The suit involves the title
to valuable tracts of land in Sonora
town.
Judge Clark heard the evidence in the
case Of Ellsworth vs.. the Gallup Coal
company yesterday, a suit on breach
of contract.
There was no court held in the depart
ments of Judges Shaw and Van Dyke
yesterday.
UNITED STATES COURT.
In the United States circuit court
yesterday the eases against Spencer
franklin, for cutting timber on govern
ment land, were continued for the term.
The cases against Eliza Walker were
nolle pressed by the United States at
torney yesterday. The defendant was
charged with having attempted to brjbe
a United States officer, and also with
unlawfully bringing Chinese labor into
the United States.
Court adjourned until the 18th inst.