The herald., 1894-11-20
The Buena Vista.street Mur-
ders No Longer Barred
from Evidence.
WINDY LEGAL VERBIAGE.
Ground Being Trsnchsd Upon by the
Prosecution of Delicate Char.
acter = he Defense Equally
Nonplused.

The Craig trial is drawing to a close.
The mental tension on ell concerned in
the case has been such that oonclu-
sion can only be looked forward to with
pleasure. BIT the "Dest laid schemes
oft gang aglee." and today promises to
be the most critical. aud probably will
bs the most sensational OF the entire
trial.
Shortly before noon yesterday it ap-
peared as If the rebutting testimony Of
the prosecution, which. by the way, was
rather weak, would close, and the de.
fendant be left a good fighting chance
: for lie. It seemed as ii the issue for the
jury to consider would be narrowed
down TO the broad proposition, was
Craig justified in any way in shooting
George Hunter? Conceding the point
that such parsonage as Dwight Olley
ever existed, the remainder of the story
as told by the defendant himself lie quite
possible, even If very improbable. But
benefit OF any doubt, and under such
circumstances there would be broad
margin wherein learned counsel might
display their forensic ekill in making ar
rangement OF facts for the benefit Of
their unhappy client.
Detective Bowler's testimony, given
In rebuttal Of certain facts ELECTED by
the defense, while telling in certain
essential particulars against the prose-
cutiop, albeit put on the stand by the
district attorney, hna raised an Issue
that is pregnant with results most i'm
portant to the defendant. Can legal
reference be made to crime in order to
prove criminal intent on the part of q
defendant in connection with an ofsnse
sntecedsnt to it? Judge Smith has
ruled in the affirmative. and the entire
afternoon yesterday WAS consumed by
council 10 arguing the question.
Today witnesses will be produced in
Yebuttal, to prove that Craig, after laav.
ing the scene of the homicide at Hunt
er's ranch. proceeded as quietly as hn.
man agency could convey him and
murdered Mr.. and Mrs. Hunter on
Buena Vista street. Ii this is done,
then surely the testimony of the prose-
eution stands out in bold contrast OF
truth with the ingenious, II mendacious,
story o. the defendant.
But right here is a most interesting
point. Craig is not charged with the
Buena Vista street murders, but with
the murder OF his wife, Emily Craig.
How far will the prosecution dare to
trench upon forbidden ground? II
Il ey seek to absolutely prove the mur.
ders on Buena Vista street they will
prove their case up to the hilt, but just
as certainly will Craig be granted new
trial. On the ether hand. il reference
is made to the murder OF the Hunter
parents, just sufficient to prove the con.
tention tnat CrGig. when he crossed his
wife's dead body with smoking revolvers
in his hands and announced his intention
OF wiping out the entire Hunter family,
hsd deliberate murder in his heart and
was animated by malicious and criminal
in,ent, what is the result? That the
jury will be asked to assume that the
defendant did actually murder the old
people, q fact not proven and indeed u
crime not charged against him. This
would be absurdity, and so the prosecu.
tion on one eide is confronted by
question requiring great dellcacy OF
treatment, and. Gn the other, counsel
for tue defense is being compelled to
take cognizance OF q series of facts that,
hal they known they would fall within
the province OF investigation, nigh,
havs entirely changed the general out
line of he defense made.
THE OPENING TESTIMONY.
The defendant resumed hs seat on the
witness stand for continued cross-exam.
ination. Previous to its being proceed
ed with he stated in answer to his coun-
eel that he had known nothing whatever
regarding any divorce proceedings conn
menced by his wife. He detailed facts
regarding George Hunter which deve-
oped during a conversation with Joe
Hunter. "He and L. said he, "were
on friendly terms ana he told me to look
out for Gsorge. That was after tine 9th.
don't remember when. Again four
days before the trouble he met me and
told me that "the i'll feeling between
George and myself must make no diff
ference in our friendship, but. you must
look out for George"
Cross exsmined-"Dwigh Olley was
the name OF my friend. l didn't ask
him his business. He mad been q trav-
cling man. 1t was he who suggested
that borrow q pistol. although | told
him that did not think it would bs
necessary. l borrowed two pistols. We
arranged to meet for the drive at the
C'mmercial.street depot. found him
there with the friend that he, as | un.
dsrstood II, came here with. They
went, believe, to San Francisco"
Arc those the pistols that you Dor.
rowed ~ inquired Mr.. Gage, putting the
weapons on the table.
II don't know SIR"
What is your height?v
About feet" "
Your weight?"
From 100 to 200 pounds"
You are strong man; pulled in a
team did you not Pr
''Yes SIR"
"Ypu spoke of your mother-in-law
threatening to horsewhip you. What
was her name?"
MARY Hunter"
When did yon last see the ristols
tyou b.rro"sd at the suggestion Of
urirlsnd Z"