The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1893-02-25
SOME STRONG EVIDENCE GIVEN,
Sensational Testimony in the
Kegel Murder Case.
Contractor Donegan Sues the City
ON Contract Claim.
witnesses Examined In the KegeI Case.
Notes of Gases on Trial Yester-
day New Suits Which
Were Filed.

The trial of Henry Kegel for the al
legged murder OF his wife was resumed
before Judge Smith and jury in de-
partment one yesterday morning.
The first witness called was DR.. M. M.
Ramon, who testified that he attended
Mrs. Kegel at the county hospital in the
latter part of July, 1887. He discovered
she was suffering from the fracture of
two ribs, which had punctured lung,
causing internal hemorrage, which was
the immediate cause OF death. Before
her decease she informed him that she
had been knocked down by Hall, who,
she declared, had caused the injuries
she was then suffering from.
John Nelson was then sworn and gave
evidence to the effect that he worked as
hired man for Kegel up to the Saturday
preceding Nrs. Kegel's demise, when he
left and came to town. On the Friday
before he left Mr.. and Mrs. Kegel came
to town, and returned to the ranch late
at night. He saw them before they re-
tired, and Mrs. Kegel was then in good
health. Next morning he saw her
again and she complained to him of
having several ribs broken, but did not
say who did it.
Mre. Jane Murnane being sworn, said
she saw Mrs. Kegel the Saturday noon
preceding her death when she was at
San Fernando with Nelson, she noticed
Mrs. Ksgel was walking lame, but de-
ceaeei said nothing about injuries hav-
ing been received. On being shown her
testimony in the lower court. in which
she stated Mrs. Kegel had told her her
ribs were broken, witness promptly de-
MED che had so testified, and that WAS
Immediately excused.
Valentine Mann WAS this next witness.
He testified that il 1889 Kegel came to
him and, saying he was in trouble, asked
him for the loan of some money, and in
consideration OF his deciding all his prop
erty TO him witness loaned him the re-
quired amount, and lived ON the prop
erty for year or more in COM
pany with Kegel. When asked as
to whether he had ever had
any conversation with Kegel as to his
wite's death, and why he, Kegel, had
accused Hall of having cuu5ed the same,
when every one knew Hall was at the
time at San Fernando, Kegel told him
that his wife had such an
aversion to Hall that she was easily
prevailed upon to declare him the cause
of her death, and he had to do it in
order to clear himself from suspicion.
He further said that he was glad that
she was dead, az she would have GER
tainly ruined him ii ne had not got rid
of her. At that time he was friendly
with Hall, and had not repeated this
conversation until the year 1891, when
he had q dispute with Kegel. He then
told it to Hall and Zsns, but immedi-
ately regretted doing 30, and endeavored
to hush the matter up, his reason Tor sc
doing BEING shat on considering the
matter, he concluded, Kegel had made
the confession to him in conf
dence, and that on that account his
confidence should be respected. He
had also told Justice Bartholomew.
Witness frankly admitted that he
would not have appeared as a witness
in this case had he not been compelled
to do 80, he having been put under
bonds to insure his presence. On cross
examination, Mann acknowledged that
there had been i'll feeling between Kegel
and himself, on account of money mat
tiers, which had been accentuated by a
shooting ecrape in which they had both
been concerned, and which resulted in
acomplaint being sworn to by him ,charg.
ing Kegel W it'll an attempt to murder
the witness, which complaint he
the witness, afterwards withdrew. He
also said that Kegel was dangerous
man and had threatened to kill both
witness and Hall, and that it was in
order to get him out of the country that
he had sworn to the complaint. He also
declared that, go far from being en- bit.
tered toward Kegel, he had on several
occasions befriended him, notably on one
occasion, when Kegel Was charged with
| shooting at Hall, and witness had paid
| a lawyers expenses to defend Kegel
| thereby in his, WITNESSES, opinion saving
him from the penitentiary.
John Zens, who was nsxt examined
said he lived near the other parties in
Teiunga, about half q mile from Kegel't
place. When asked as to whether he
had ever talked about Mrs. Kegel's death
to either Hall or Mann witness said be
had never done 30. He remembered testi
flying at the preliminary examination Of
the defendant, Kegel, to the effect that
Kegel had said he was glad his wife was
dead. He knew nothing further about
the womsn's death.
Thomas Riley was then called and de.
clared himself resident of Tejunga. He
said that on the Friday before Mrs
Kegel received her injuries he was in
Los Angeles as witness in case in the
| Justice court in which Kegel and his
wife were interested he did not remem
Der what the case was for, but thought
it was concerning the ownership of 6
cow. At the conclusion of the hearing
witness left the court room at the same
time as the defendant and his wife. Or
reaching the sidewalk Kegel accused his
wife OF losing the case for him, and
after vilely abusing and cursinl
her, said: 81 will soon be ever
with you you will not trouble me much
longer" He saw them drive home to
gether, witness returning himself next
morning. That same morning he was
visited by Nelson, KegePs hired man
|