The record-union., 1891-04-17
THAT PERJURY CHARGE.
The Jury Finds Contractor John P,
Hughes Not Guilty.
John Black Tells More About the
''Ecse- -Coiored Testimony''-CofIey
Observation-Disclosures Roasted.

The trial Of John p. Hughes, the con-
tractor, charged with perjury, was con-
Guided in the Superior Court yesterday,
and resulted in the acquittal of the de-
fendant.
During the forenoon session John
Black, the well-known cracker baker,
took the witness stand again and made a
further statement regarding the testi-
mony given by c. c. Duhano on Wedne3-
day. Duhane, it will be remembered,
testified that some time ago police officer
Wilson came to him, while he was work
ing at the State Capitol. and told him that
Mr.. Black wanted to see him. Upon Wis
iting Mr.. Blacks place of business, he
said the latter asked him not to give any
''rose-colored testimony in favor of
Hughes when the latter's trial came off.
Duhane said he spurned the advice given
him, and told Black that he intended to
testify to the truth.
TOLD TO TELL THE TRUTH.
Mr.. Black, upon taking the stand
Yesterday, reiterated his former state
ment that he had no intention whatever
of influencing Duhane. officer Wilson
being a great friend of Duhane's, was
| afraid that the latter would get himself
into trouble by testifying at the Hughes
trial, and asked him the witneSs) 20 talk
to him. When Duhane visited the wit
ness, the latter simply advised him not
to color his testimony and to stick to the
truth, so as to avoid trouble Mr.. Black
added, that this conversation with Du-
hume was since Hughes examination in
the Justice Court, and after Duhane had
eyinced a disposition to Overstep the
bounds of truth Ill giving his testimony.
Various witnesses were summoned by
the defense who testified as to the bad
character of John II. Coffey, the man
who testified that he and Hughes We're
partners in business-which statement
Hughes denied, thereby purjuring HIM
! self, according to the theory of the prose-
cution.
The taking of testimony closed at noon,
| and in the afternoon the arguments OF
the attorneys were heard. Mr. White,
| counsel for Hughes, devoted most of his
argument against the veracity of the wit
! ness Coffcy. He said it had been shown
| that Coffey was an eX-cOnvict, and man
! who could not be believed under oath. He
| declared that it should be Cofley and not
| Hughes who should be sent to the peni-
! tentiary for perjury.
DUHANE ROASTED.
! Assistant District Attorney Buckley
made the closing argument for the peo-
! pie. lie Salu perjury was one OF the most
/ dangerous enemies of justice, and he
! thought it was high time that some one
! should be made an example of III Sacra-
mentO The practice OF false swearing
was becoming too common. Mr.. Buck
! ley also paid his respects to the witness
! Duhane. He declared that the latter has
! essayed to aid Hughes by making the
| silly statement that an honorable gentle
man and merchant like Mr. Black had
! attpTnrAtpI n tO Influence his inStilllpnU
cover up Duhane's own shortcomings.
Judge Grant of Yolo who is acting in
! Judge Catlin's place temporarily, charged
| the jury briefly, contining himself simply
10 defining the crime of perjury. After q
short deliberation verdict of not guilty
was rendered.