Los Angeles herald., 1892-11-03
WHY F|GuEROA KILLED LUGO,
It Was in Order to Save His
Own Life.
The Conclusion Reached Yesterday
by the CorOner's Jury.
Details of the Inquest-The Hera1d's
Story of Yesterday Confirmed.
FiguerOa Tells His Story.
Verdict, Self-Defense.

The inquest into the shooting ant
stabbing affray between Francisco
Figueroa and Juan Jose Lugo, Monday
afternoon, on North Spring street, was
concluded yesterday, the examination oi
witnesses beginning at 10 o'clock at the
coroner's office. The facts ELECTED we're
mainly as heretofore published, it being
clearly proved that Lugo was the ag-
gressor, and shot Figueroa before the
latter stabbed him.
Charles Shredder, proprietor OF the
Reception saloon, was the first witness,
and gave his statement almost identi-
cally as heretofore published. He re-
lated the quarrels of the two men during
the afternoon in small room off from
the hallway leading into his place.
After hearing the noiee of the dispute,
and receiving the bowie knife from his
barkeeper, which the latter had taken
from the table in the room, he opened
the door, saw Deputy Sheriff Charley
Cruz with revolver in his hand, and
locked up both weapons, telling the
men to 60 out. He told how he tried to
get them to be friends, and finally how
Figueroa got his knife late in the after
noon, saying he was going home, and
that it was only minute or two after
he left the saloon before he heard the
shot fred by Lugo. He testified that
Cruz and Lugo were slightly intoxicated,
but Figueroa was not, and that the lat
ter appeared willing at all times he saw
him to be friendly with Lugo.
Charles L. Cruz, deputy sheriff, testi-
fed: I was acquainted with Juan Jose
Lugo and j. Francisco Figueroa. l met
several of these Ballona people at Mr..
Schroder's Monday afternoon. After
two or three drinks, Flgueroa and Lugo
and l stood together at the bar, and
they got to talking. Lugo asked him to
help him with job. Finally he re-
ferred to the trouble at Ballona, and
said he was the only square man at
Ballona. One word brought on another.
and l said, "Boys, don't talk so loud"
They continued to dispute, and made
slurring remarks. 1 took them into the
little room to fA it up. We sat at the
table, and l was between them. One of
them said that the other had said so
and 80, and finally the lie passed. 1
was in the middle, between them. They
got up and clinched. separated them,
and they sat down. Lugo said, 81 am
not armed" Figueroa, quick as flash,
drew his knife and extended it to Lugo,
saying he had no need of arms. He was
good enough for him without any, or
words to that effect. grabbed the
knife, ard just then Lugo tried to get
at my pistol, which was in my pocket.
The parkeeper took the knife, and l
handed the pistol to Charley Schroeder,
thinking that there would be no weapons
there.
Lugo hung his head down and
wouldn't cay word after the scrap.
Figueroa was willing to make it up.
Then we left the room, and 1 asked
Schroeder to get them to shake hands.
Figueroa was willing to all the time.
went to Phillips saloon, and after they
wouldn't make it up there | went home.
Lugo was not intoxicated. He had
been drinking, and had, but was not
intoxicated. [ did not have any talk
with either separately.
don't think Lugo had any arms in
Schroeder's.
Both struck each other in the little
room. The blows were about at the
same time; then they clinched.
They first talked about politics. Lugo
in the saloon said: Il am the only
straight man in Ballona."
They talked about the Signs trouble.
l did not see the end of the trouble.
G. F. Webber, sworn: l live in Los
Angeles. l was walking up Spring
street with Ed Niles and Tom Smith. l
was acquainted with both Figueroa and
Lugo. Just as we got in front of the
Temple block, near Market, Mr.. Lugo
passed US going north. heard shot
and looked up. These two people were
graphing together. Mr.. Figueroa had
hold of Lugo's right hand with his left
hand. Figuerca had his hand raised
and made two movements. with the
knife. Lugo gradually sunk down. Just
a small revolver dropped out of his
hand. Figueroa then walked across the
street with the knife in his hand. The
revolver fell towards the edge of the
sidewalk. did not notice Figueroa
until 1 saw them grapple.
R. E. Sloan, a horseshoer, gave some
unimportant testimony.
Mercurial Lugo of Ballona, brother of
the dead man, testified that his brother
was not quite 32 years OF age at the time
of his death; lived at Ballona, and was
married. He knew Francisco Figueroa,
but knew of no trouble between his
brother and him. Their relations had
been friendly. He knew nothing of the
quarrel. He would have known ii they
had any trouble.
Manuel Gotta sworn: 1 knew both
men. 1 saw the trouble between them
Monday evening about 80 O'Clock. l
was standing with Figueroa and Patri-
clio Abila. We were talking about the
election. At that time 1 saw the de-
ceased pass in front of us, going down
the street. l said to Lugo: "Ain't you
going home now?" He gave me no
answer, but went on. remained with
my face toward the north. When Lugo
returned very soon l did not see him.
At that time l felt some one clutch me
on the right arm. turned partly around
and shot was fired right in front of my
face. When turned clear around saw
Lugo on the ground and Figueroa also.
pulled Figueroa off. That's all know.
1t was very quick that he returned. He
probably got as far as Market and
Temple before he returned.
Figueroa was not doing anything. I
surmised that he was going to pick up a
pistol that was on the sidewalk. l did
not see Figueroa strike Lugo. When
Lugo went by Figueroa did not say any
thing. Lugo was dead when l took
Figueroa away. The fire of the pistol
burned my face. whirled about facing
south when the pistol was fired across
nv face and when turned clear around
again Lugo was down. l did not see
Figueroa make the stabs. Both of the
men are my nephews.