The record-union., 1893-01-14
GEORGE JEFFERIS TRIAL.
Judge Johnson Not Prepared to Fix
a Date Therefor.
The Prisoner Pleads Not Guilty, and
Does Not Appear Anxious as
to the Outcome.

The attendance in Department Two of
the Superior Court yesterday morning was
not what it would have been had coming
| events cast their shadows before. Those
persons whose tastes lead them to the
courtroom in search of something on
which to feed their curiosity and love for
sensational developments must feel ag
| grieved, and that they were defrauded
out of an opportunity to satisfy that de-
! sire.
About 1l:30 o'clock General A. L. Hart
and Hon. c. 7. Jones were seen entering
the courtroom, and those familiar with
their countenances saw that something
connected with the Jefferis case was 60
ing to happen.
District Attorney Ryan followed almost
Immediately, and Jefferis put in an ap-
pearance shortly afterward, escorted by
Deputy Sheriff Hendricks.
The slight stir having subsidized, Dis
trict Attorney Ryan addressed the court,
saying that two indictments had been
found against the prisoner, one being for
bigamy and the other for murder. I'm
der the rules of the departments all MUIR
der cases are tried in Department Two
and all lesser felony cases i'll Department
One. Mr.. Ryan stated that Jefferis would
be tried for murder by Judge Johnson.
and on the bigamy charge by Judge
| Catlln.
Being ordered to stand up, Jefferis arose
and stood while the Indictment for mur-
der found by the Grand Jury was read.
1t charged him with numbering Miss e.
| .. Ayers on the morning of Deem
ber IS, 1892
What is your plea, guilty or not
guilty?" asked Judge Johnson.
Not guilty, by large majority ~
was Jefferis' reply.
The Judge, in a dignified manner;
reproved him. saying that it was not
necessary to add so much emphasis to the
plea. mot guilty" was all that was
necessary
General Hart then requested the court
to set the trial for the earliest possible
moment. The family of Jefferis, he said,
| was dependent on his wages for their sub
slstence, and while he lay in Jail he could
do nothing to support them. His wife is
| soon 10 become mother, and with two
small children beside she did not know
where she should obtain food and shelter
Were the case otherwise he would not
| press the point.
Judge johnson said he did not know
how he could possibly set a date at that
! time. -Four murder trials,'' said he,
have been set already for trial in this
court. as well as dates set for large num-
Der OF civil cases. All these cases were
set for trial before this woman was
killed.'
That is, if she were killed." softly in
simulated General Hart.
Before her DEATH" said the Judge.
correcting himself, and everyone smiled,
Jefferls not excepted.
General. Hart insisted that this case
ought 10 take precedence over civil cases,
which involved merely property rights
which would suffer little from short de-
| lay. But this case involved the personal
liberty OF a human being, and certainly
ought to take precedence.
District Attorney Ryan failed to see that
Jefferls was worse off than any other
man who was imprisoned on so serious a
charge. AS for Mrs. Jefferis, her mother
had written letter in which she stated
tnat the wife and children of Jefferis
would not be permitted to suffer.
Judge johnson said that the situation
of the family could cut no figure in the
| case.
The prisoner was then remanded to the
custody of the Sheriff.
! THE BIGAMY CHARGE
! Jefferis was arraigned in Judge John
sons court in the afternoon on the charge
OF b1gamy, for having married Miss
Ayres on the Sth of July last, he having a
wife living at that time; and at the re-
quest of his counsel, who stated that he
wished to investigate the case more
| closely, he was allowed until next Fri
day, the prosecution offering no objection.