The morning call., 1894-10-30
OF THE DEATH OF McMANUs.
He Now Says the Dead Gossoon
Brought 1t on Himself.
THE PoTRERo KING DIsAdREEs.
All the Aristocracy of Third Street
Assemble at the Trial of
Charles Sweeney.

The tri q I of the ex-bSseball playe
Charles Sweeney, for the murder of Con
McManus, was resumed yesterday before
judge Wallace and a jury. All the wit
nesses that had been absent before turned
up in time to testify, including the long
lost Joseph Mcdonald, whose evidence
was deemed of such importance by the
defense. However, Mcdonald did not
bright witness. his utterances being indis-
tinct and his remembrance of certain
events somewhat patchy.
Frank McManus, called by some "King
of the Potrsro," was the first witness ex-
amined yesterday. lie testified that he
had been over in Oakland at the time of
the shooting. but previous to that he was
present when Sweeney and Con Nc
Manus were in Walsh's saloon. Sweeney
was there very quarrelsome, and threat
ened to shoot Walsh and a few other
people. The witness corroborated the
testimony OF other witnesses espectlng
his brothers dying statement. Con had
declared to him that he was shot while
leaning against the bar, and without any
hostile demonstration on his part.
The cr0Ss-eXamination of the Potrero
King elctted the fact that he had been
mixed up in few fights. He even admit
ted that. not liking the way in which his
brothers funeral had been conducted, be
had grnmbled with the authorities on the
subject, and on being elected from the
door OF the house the King picked up {.
brick aud threw it at the door OF a-resi-
dence. 1t was explained, however, by the
witness on the stand that he was intoxi-
Gated at the time, and so that little trans
gresslon didn't count.
The prosecution having closed its case
Detective Cody was called DY the defense
to say that he went to get Con McManuS'
dying statement, but William McManus,
his brother, told him that Con was not pre-
pared to make a statement. When be
called again he was told that Con was un-
der opiates and was not responsible.
Then came Joseph Mcdonald, the wit
ness who testified against Sweeney in the
Police Court but who now had TO say that
he was intimidated by 'King" McManus
into so doing. Mcdonald said that Sweeney
and Con McManus had drunken row in
the saloon. McMdDus threatened Sweeney
when he refused to drink, and placing q
pistol to his head said be would kill him.
McManus then backed Sweeney up against
the counter. Finally, in Self-defense SWe-
ney shot MeManus.
This witness said he was in deadly fear
of king" McManus when he testified in
the Police Court. The King asked him
what he knew about the affair, and when
Mcdonald told him he said that if the
WabISoS LSStlDeu lnhG way u kOUCh HIS
head off. So Mcdonald was forced to tell
what he now confessed was not true, but
deliberate lie.
In cross examination Mcdonald was
made to rehearse the whole history of the
scene at the bar, with variations. He ad-
mitted that Con MeManus told Sweeney
that any man who packed pistol was
a coward. He said, however, that Me
Manus drew pistol himself after this and
put it to Sweeney's head. 1t was almost
impossible to distinguish what the witness
said, and even the shorthand reporter was
nonplused from time to time.
Charles Sweeney testified on his own
behalf before the close of the days pro-
ceeuings. He spoke of the meeting with
Con McManus and of the latter's bullying
tone toward him. lie was afraid OF Nc
Manus. but he meant no harm toward him
until McManus drew d pistol and kept
threatening him with it. Even then he
did not fire until he was compelled to do
so in self-defense
All day long ''King" McManus patrolled
the corridor. engaged in earnest conversa-
tion with his friends. The case will go to
the jury to-day If the arguments of coun-
sci are not too elaborate.