The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-14
NEARING THE CLOSE.
The Attorneys Making Their Argu-
ments in "Larrupin Jacks" Case.
A. j. Bruner Attacks Taylor's Alibi-
Attorney Scott Makes His Debut
Last of the Evidence.

The trial Of John Taylor, alias "Larru-
pin jack" one of the alleged Gait in
cendiaries, is nearing the close.
The taking of testimony was concluded
yesterday, and the arguments begun.
The courtroom was crowded again
with spectators all day, and they APP
peared to take deep interest in the pro-
ceedings. The defendant, Taylor, also
seemed to realize, for the first time since
the trial began, that the proceedings were
of some interest to him. and he listened
more attentively, particularly to the
| arguments. He and Crabtree sat close to
| their attorneys, Grove l.. Johnson and
w. H. S. Scott. With the prosecutors,
District Attorney Ryan and A j. Bruner,
sat j. X. McKinstry, whose livery stable
was burned.
INTERESTED IN THE FIGHT.
Henry McHugh, a horse-trainer, was
the first witness called. He testified for
the defense that he was in Lodi the night
Of the fire at Gait. He was one Of the
principals in glove-fght that took place
there that night. Being asked about
! Taylor's presence there, the witness said
he did not remember having seen the de-
fendant that night, but he saw him the
ACAI I1lOI L ctSI IldllCA dIIlNGu III
Lodi that morning and asked the witness
and Bay Robinson to go over to Proctor's
saloon and wake Taylor, as the latter had
500 of his (Haller's) money.
On cross examination, the witness said
he had very distinct memory of the
fight that night. He said he still had
scar under his right eye as reminder Of
the scrap" and this had occupied his
attention for some time.
AT this juncture Attorney johnson of
tered in evidence the first complaint filed
in the arson case, which showed, beside
Taylor, Crabtree and Dobson, that Peter
Halter, Lew Kittler and George Johnson
had been charged with the crime.
THE DEFENsE's THEORY.
The attorney said his object was to
show that the charges against Halter,
after they testified at the preliminary ex-
animation.
''Do you mean to insinuate that they
were implicated in the crime, and that /
dismissed the charges against them if
| they would testify?" asked District At
torney Ryan.
THAT'S exactly what I claim" replied
Mr.. Johnson, ''and shall argue to the
! jury that those three men lied, and that
| their testimony was the price paid for the
dismissal of the charges against them"
! We'll, you must havea very high opin
ion of the law officer of this county,"
said Mr.. Ryan. II will not object to the
complaint being offered in evidence, but
l will call witnesses"
Mr.. Johnson said he desired Mr.. Ryan
| to understand that he meant no reflection
upon him. He then announced that he
would rest his case.
Mr.. Ryan then called J. *. McKinstry
to the witness stand. Mr.. McKinstry ex
| planned that the complaint included the
names Of kittler, Johnson and Halter,
| because it had been learned that they had
! knowledge of the fire, and had not i'm
parted it to the officers. They were
charged with being accessories after the
! fact, but when they had told what they
! knew, the charges against them were
! dismissed.
| THE ARGUMENTS.
| Both sides announced the case closed,
and the arguments began.
a. j. Bruner made the opening argu-
ment for the prosecution. He talked
until the noon recess, and resumed in the
/ afternoon, concluding at about O'Clock
! Mr.. Bruner went carefully over all the
| testimony in the case, commenting on it
! freely. He said the people had made out
a strong case, and one in which the jury
| should find q verdict Of guilty. The at
! torney devoted considerable attention to
| the alibi set up by the defense. The
other side, he said, had no doubt proved
| perfect dllDl-ludL Is, II IDe witnesses
| could be believed. But, he said, they
| had overdone it. They should, while
| they were at it, have proved that there
was no fire at all at Gait.
ATTORNEY SCOTS DEBUT.
When Mr.. Bruner had concluded, At
torney Scott, for the defense, argued dur
| ing the remainder of the afternoon. Mr..
! Scott is recent arrival in Sacramento,
and this is the first important case he has
| been engaged in here. His argument
was consequently listened to with con-
siderable interest. He proved himself to
| be an eloquent speaker, and he brought
| out everything that was in the testimony
! for the defense. He said it made no diff
| ference what kind of a reputation Taylor
| bore-the jury was only to decide whether
or not Taylor fired the Arcade Stables at
Gait. The attorney devoted some atten-
! ton to McKinstry, and the interest the
! latter was taking in the case. McKin-
stry, he said, had no particular spite
against Taylor or Dobson, but he hated
the Crabtrees, and in order to reach them
would send Taylor to prison. He argued
that the alibi was complete and had been
established by reputable citizens whose
veracity could not be questioned.
The arguments Will be resumed day.
Mr.. Johnson closing for the defense and
District Attorney Ryan for the people.
The case will not reach the jury, how