The morning call., 1895-01-10

marks. Dim cross inside Of lower left
arm, imperfect dim figures on lower right
arm. three large scars below right elbow,
scar back of right hand, large scar under
left Jaw, one under chin, one under right
temple, one on bridge of nose. Two moies
back of neck at base, one on right ribs.
one on center of breast. Stout, weight LOO
pounds.
Attorney Frank P. Kelly of this city,
who defended Vital at his trial In Santa
Barbara, said last night: "1n February
1892, Vital and young man named camp
bell went into q restaurant at Lompoc'
Santa Barbara County. They had only
80 cents between them, but they ordered
big meal each and had row with the
restaurant-keeper about payment.
They made up their minds to get money
somehow, and while proving around The
place they saw Chinese washhOuse and
made up their minds to rob 1t. They
broke into a church and stayed there I'M
til about 3 o'clock in the morning. Then
they left and broke into the washhouse. A
Chinaman was at work and Vital held
pistol at his head till he was relieved Of
his money and watch.
"Vital took bunch of keys out of the
Chinaman's pocket and on opening a
drawer found pistol inside. He gave
Campbell the pistol and told him to guard
the Chinaman with it till he searched the
premises for money and Valuables.
"While searching around Vital awoke
another Chinaman who was asleep in
bunk. The Chinaman grabbed at him and
he fred at him, fatally wounding him In
the stomach.
''The police were notified, and from the
description of the two men given by the
observation-disclosures they were two days
afterward arrested at Guadalupe Peak
and taken to Lompoc. where their prelim-
mary examination was held, and they
were sent to Santa Barbara to await their
trial.
Judge Cope appointed Two young at
torneys to look after Vitaps interests, but
they could not get anything out of him to
prepare a defense and they asked the
court to be relieved.
son the morning of the trial, in August.
1892, the Judge sent for me and asked me
to defend Vital. / agreed to do so, but he
turned his back upon me. and it was some
time before l could get him to talk to me.
During the trial he was constantly
jumping up and interrupting the proceed
ings. till finally l got the jury dismissed
and jury of inquisition appoin ted. They
heard the testimony of half dozen doc
tors, five of whom said that Vital was
perfectly sane, but the fifth was doubtful
about it. Then the trial went on again
and he was sentenced to De hanged.
"The Latin colony in San Francisco
made big roar and got up petition for
respite, because Vital was the first
white man sentenced to be hanged for
killing Chinaman. The case was taken
to the Supreme Court, and after about
years delay the judgment Of the lower
court was affirmed. Vital was taken back
to Santa Barbara, and on May %, 1894, he
was sentenced to be hanged. He was a
vicious man, and while here on his way
to San Quentin he attacked the Deputy
Sheriff, but after a brief struggle he was
overpowered.
Through the influence of the Latin
colony brief respite was granted him,
but in August he was again sentenced to
be hanged On October II. day or two
previous to that date the physicians from
Napa Asylum went TO San Quentin and
examined him as to his sanity, and pro-
nouneed him insane, and instead of being
hanged he was sent to Stockton Insane
Asylum"