The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-07-19
THE LENT COMEDY
Another Act Without the
Players.
Chief Crowley Furnished With a
Report That Is Chiefly Re-
markabIe for Its Evasion.

The curtain rose on another act in the
Lent comedy in Judge Lows court yester-
! day morning, but owing to the absence of
| several of the leading players it was al
most devoid of interest.
! When the case was called Attorney
Allen, for the defendant, rose aud asked
for fair play. alleging that it had been
falsely stated that the defendant had been
released on his own recognzance upon
misrepresentatiOns.
The only Misrepresentation" replied
| the Judge, which might be cited was your
own statement tina: there would be no
! prosecution"
| Il am reliably informed" said the attor-
ney. that the complainant does not in
/ tend to prosecute. Although Mr.. Lent is
/ sick, even to the extent of eXDectoTating
/ blood, l will have him here" Just at that
moment as to give dramatic effect to his
! words, the variety actor walked slowly
| into court and took seat beside his coun-
/ sci. who Immediately said that his client
was ready 10 20 on with the case.
The Judge was informed that there were
no witnesses present for the prosecution,
! which made him remark: 81 am mere to
! try cases. not to prosecute them. Sergeant
! Blrdsall Told ME that he had talked with
| Mrs. Flood and that she would be here on
time She has not shown up. nor has Pat
| terSOn. | think 1t pretty state of affairs
for the police to leave witnesses to their
own sweet will 10 decide whether or not
they shall come TO court. They were never
subpenaed. 1 will continue this case till
Friday and permit the defendant TO go on
his own recOgniZance. as he has not disap-
pointed me in appearing"
Lent left the court with his counsel and
went to the City Prison to have a chat
with former cellmate. When Door
keeper Shaw saw him, he said why,
Lent. there's bench warrant out for
your arrest" Il know that" replied
Lent. but have been in court and the
Judge has released on my own recog-
niZance."
Shaw, however, thought it advisable to
send word to Judge Low that Lent was in
the prison. The bench warrant had been
sent to the Judge for cancellation, but in
stead OF canceling it he handed it to an
officer, who served it upon Lent ia the
prison.
After the court adjourned at u o'clock
the Judge saw Lent and told him it would
be better for him TO remain in custody till
Friday. Lent complained Of being sick,
ana the Judge wrote an order for his ad-
mission 10 the Receiving Hospital. He
was there booked, supposed hemorrhage
of the lungs" but the police surgeon, after
examining him, expressed the opinion that
there was no hemOrrhage.
When the court was opened for the
afternoon session the Judge sent for At
torney Allen and told him what he had
done. The attorney called at the sDital
and suggested to the surgeon that as Lent
was suffering from asthma he should be
permitted to sit outside occasionally and
get the fresh air. The surgeon said that
could not be permitted, as Lent was under
arrest and might walk away. 1t was his
duty as a physician to keep him within
the walls of the hospital.
Later on the Judge was informed by the !
surgeon that Lent was only suffering from
a cold IN the lungs and that there was |
nothing serious TO it. So the Judge had |
him removed from the hospital to the
prison
Last night Attorney Allen visited the
prison aud requested that Lent be made |
as comfortable as possible. He said he !
was to apply for writ Of habeas corpus
in the morning.
Chief Crowley was last night furnished
with reports from Captain Douglass and |
Sergeant Birdsall ana Policemen Collins,
Sawyer and Reardon. the latter hree hav-
Ing been with the sergeant when be ar
rested Lent. There is not one word in all
the reports Offering an explanation as to
why Mrs. Flood, her brother and the old
man Heath were not summoned as witt
nesses in The case. They simply treat of
the arrest, the serving of a SUBJ ena on
Patterson and the proceedings in court.
Sergeant Brdsal says he instructed
Policemen Collins and Sawyer to attend
to the case. but they say be only instructed
them to serve a subpoena cpon Patterson,
which was done on the night of the shoot
ing. Birdsall denies that he has been APP
preached By any one to square the case.
The report will rank as a unique exhibit
of how not to do a thing. The Chief
wanted TO know why important witnesses
were not subpenaed TO give evidence in
the case and he is as much as ever in the
dark.
One peculiar thing is statement that
neither Patterson, Mrs. Flood, her brother,
the old man Heath can be found. The
popularity of this statement lies in the
fact that q detective saw Mrs. Flood yes
terday afternoon on Larkn street, near the
new City Hall, arm in arm with gentle
man he felt sure was Patterson. And vel
the police say they cannot find them.