The record-union., 1891-03-10
NO MORE 7RIFLING.
Judge Catlin Deals SummariIy With
Those Who Disobey,
Interpreter Grondona Adjudged Guilty
OF Contemplate Tells Why He
Ran Away.

Superior Judge Catlin is fast creating
the impression that there is more truth
than poetry in the popular saying that it
doesn't do to monkey with the buzz
saw"-at least, in so far as the term may
be applied to the disobedience of court or
ders.
Numerous recalcitrants have found
this out rather forcibly of late-particu-
larly Carpenter, the Stockton attorney,
and Vance, Carpenters client, who have
been languishing in dungeon cell at the
County Jail, for disobeying an injunction
of the court.
But the latest individual to get into
trouble-and have cause to beIrepentant-
is n. Grondona, the Italian interpreter.
Several weeks ago, before the Frediani
murder case was commenced before
Judge Catlin, Grondona was served with
subpoena TO be in court and act as OFF,
cial interpreter. When the case was
called on the 9th of January, Grondona
was on hand with the other witnesses
served. continuance of the case was
granted, however, but before the wit
nesses were allowed to depart, they, in
Guiding Grondona, were duly recognized
to appear in court the following week.
The other witnesses appeared but Gron-
dona didn't.
THE SHERIFF AFER HIM.
An attachment was issued for the in
terpreter and the Sheriff and his depu-
ties went in search of him. They hunted
high and low, but could not find him.
His parents and brothers denied all
knowledge of his whereabouts Last
week, however, as stated in the RECORD
UNION, the elusive Interpreter was over
hauled by. Deputy Sheriff White and
brought to the County Jail
Yesterday Grondona was taken before
Judge Catlin. District Attorney Ryan
stated that Grcndona had been duly
served with summons, and had no right
to absent himself from court. He under
stood, however, that the interpreter had
an excuse to offer.
Grondona then took the witness-stand.
He acknowledge being subpenaed, but
said that he subsequently went to Mr.
Buckley, the Assistant District Attorney,
and asked to be excused from serving on
the ground of being sick. Mr. Buckley,
he said, consented, and he departed inn
mediately to the mountains for his health
Besides being sick, he was afraid to be
mixed up i'll the case. He was afraid of
his countrymen-those Of them that were
friends of Frediani. He said he had been
threatened with violence if he showed
any further interest in the case. Taking
an IlcSS llIl1lkS,S lHlO cOlSiCG1aIlOn he
thought the best thing he could do was to
get out OF the way until the trial was
over.
WHO THREATENED HIM.
Judge Catlin wanted TO know who the
persons were who had threatened him,
but Grondona could not at that time re-
member any Of their names.
The Judge then said that the excuses of
sickness and being threatened were not
good. IL Grondona was well enough to
travel q long distance from Sacramento.
he was certainly well enough to come to
the Courthouse, and make his excuse to
the court. He should also have come
directly to the court when threatened.
and the persons who had threatened him
would have been summarily dealt with.
But regarding the plea that Mr.. Buckley
had excused him, the Judge said he was
in doubt, and would like to hear from Mr..
Buckley.
Mr., Buckley took the witness stand
and denied that he had ever excused
Grondona from appearing in court. He
would not dare to assume that authority
he said. Grondona had asked not to be
put on the witness stand, but had said
nothing about wanting TO be excused from
acting as Interpreter.
Martin Devine, clerk in the District At
torney's office, and who was present dur
ing the conversation between Grondona
and Mr.. Buckley corroborated the latter's
statement.
GUILTY OF CONTEMPT
This was all the testimony offered. and
Judge Catlin said that it was apparent to
him that Grondona had willfully and in
tentionally disobeyed the process of the
court, and was guilty of contempt, But
before pronouncing judgment, he said he
would give the Interpreter a chance to
help himself out Of the difficulty, by Civ
ing the names of the persons who had
threatened to do him harm if he appeared
in court.
After considerable hesitation Grondona
gave the names of J Ohm Bianchini tone of
the principal witnesses for the prosecu-
ton at the tria), a shoemaker named
Casselh and S. CARL. The last-named in
dividual, said Grondona, did not threaten
him until after his return from the
mountains. He had accused the inter
prefer of being responsible for the large
number of witnesses who appeared for
the prosecution at the trial, and abused
him shGmefuily.
Judge Catlin ordered attachments to is
sue Immediately for Bianchini, Casselli
and Carli, and ordered the Sheriff to have
them in court at l;30 o'clock.
IN the afternoon, however, the Sheriff
reported that he had been unable to find
any of the men named. He had found
man named Fava, however, who is al
legged to have heard Carli threatening
Grondona after the latters return from
the mountains.
The court was not satisfied with this
showing, and, after ordering the Sheriff
to make another search, POSTPONED fur
Their hearing until this morning.
Grondona viii also be sentenced this
morning.