Los Angeles herald., 1892-11-17
THE GIRLS CONVICT OLD KING,
The LecherOus Fellow to Be
Sentenced Tomorrow.
The Child Women He Dallied With
Testify Against Him.
Happenings Yesterday In the Police
Courts-Hinkley Has sloped-Notes
of Minor Gases Which Were
Considered.

There was only standing room in JUS
tice Austin's court yesterday afternoon,
the piece de resistance being the trial of
the old and libidinous Walter B King.
on the charge of indecent conduct with
two girls under the legal age of 16 years,
named Emma Moore of 118 East Win
ston street and Florence Watson OF 1881
North Spring street. But there was
plenty of room when Justice Austin or
dered the court room cleared of all spec
tators. This was sad blow to the large
crowd who had gathered with the ex-
pectation of hearing the prurient de-
tails of a peculiarly indecent case. 1t
was also surprise to the reporters, as,
under the law, preliminary examina-
tions are held with closed doors only on
the request of the defendant, and in this
instance the defendant had not de.
manded private investigation. He sat
in the prisoners dock. evidently not
ashamed of his indecent conduct,
though all eyes were turned upon him.
The two girls who appeared as COM
planning witnesses were in the witness
room. and wore wells. Emma Moore
testified to the effect that herself and
Florence Watson visited King at his
room, in the lodging house on South
Spring street, near Fifth, on the day
that they were arrested and taken to
the police station. 1t will be recolelcted
that no charge was placed against the
girls, but that they were taken to the
Office of the chief of police and released
after being questioned about the matter.
The witness, Emma Moore, stated that
Florence Watson and herself lay upon
the bed beside the "old man" King
they were partly disrobed, and that
their conduct, which consisted in
fondling each other, was very indecent.
No criminal assault was made or at
tempted by King; also that herself,
Florence Watson, Lulu Hefren of 4l6
South Main street, and Della Cowan of
1897 South Main street visited King in
his room several times previous.
Florence Watson stated that she and
the other girls had also visited King,
but that on this occasion while she was
on the bed with King he took liberties
with her person, but that she did not
indulge in such practices in reference to
his person. The last part of her statement
is in direct opposition to that made to
to the central police station.
Della Cowan and Lulu Hefren were
not present as witnesses. An officer
states that Lulu Hefren left the city a
day or two ago, but that she will likely
be called back.
Humane Officer Wright testified that
King had hitherto borne good reputa-
tion but that some time ago the land
1oI Af LODI ~.
street, near Third, complained of a
King and that finally King left the
house.
The defendant, Walter 3. King. was
convicted and ordered to appear Friday
afternoon for sentence, with bail fixed
at 500. He was taken below to his
cage.
HINKLEY HAS SLOPED.
Levi Hinkley, charged with disturb
ing the peace of Mrs. Thorne, and of her
boarding house on Third near Spring
street, was fined 500 by Justice Austin,
and ordered to pay the same by
o'clock. He stood not upon that order
but went away, it is presumed, as he
had only $25 cash bail deposited.
A warrant of commitment has been
issued, and if found will be required to
pay the remaining $75, or go to Jail for
that number of days.
CRIMINALETTEs.
Mary Viovolich made her reappear-
ance before Justice Austin. She had
been arrested by Officer Goodman,
while she was drunk and creating dis.
turbauce near the plaza.
She lives in ''San Berdoon," and said
she would return if allowed to 90. She
was fined $40, and the sentence was sus-
pended until O'Clock. She bolted out
OF the court room as if to catch the first
outgoing train.
John Thompson, who said he was con.
nected with the Soldiers home, and
who was charged with drunkenness,
took the cue and wanted to 60 home
He was told to 60.
John Johnson, colored, charged with
malicious mischief in burning his di
vorced wife's clothing, was fined $50 OF
so days.
Joseph Kane and Frank Dale, charged
with petit larceny, in stealing three
pairs of pantaloons from the London
Clothing company, were each given IN
days in Jail.
Frank Raverstini, charged with OBJ
structing the streets with his handcar
of peanuts and popcorn, was fined $40
but the sentence was suspended durin,
his good behavior in that respect. HI
wheeled his wagon out of the police sta
tion and resumed his cry OF "peanutti-
5 centa bag"
John Burke, aged about go years, wa
given go days in Jail for stealing pal
of shoes.