The herald., 1896-02-19
WAS UNSUITABLE HOMICIDE
Such Is the Jury's Verdict in the
hazen Murder Case
The SkeIley Packing House at Riverside
Burned-DramatIc Entertainment by
the Casa Blanca Tennis Club

was resumed yesterday, the state again
putting Belf1eld on the stand to ex-
plain why he testified at the coroner's
inquest that there were three shots
fired and at the trial now in progress
that only two shots we're fred. He
said he was somewhat confused at the
coroners inquest, and since that time
had had time to think over the matter
and collect his senses.
Deputy Sheriff Dickson and Sheriff
johnson were then sworn in rebuttal.
MIR. Dickson said that the report from
the discharge of the Winchester rifle
was fully twice as loud as the report of
bulldog pistol. When asked how he
knew, he said from experience. He
had fired both tie revolver and the
rifle three times each yesterday, and
there was no question in his mind that
the rifle made twice the louder sound.
The firing took place on the east side
OF the old pest house.
District Attorney Gillthen requested
that the deputy sheriff go outside the
court room, leaving the door open; that
the jury might hear for themselves. To
this the defense strenuously objected,
the court suggesting that, if desired
by the prosecution, the jury could be
taken to South Riverside and to the
house where the homicide was commit.
ted. and there test the sound made by
the different firearms, and the objection
was sustained by the court that the
conditions under which the arms would
be fred outside the door of the court
room would not be the same as at the
place Of killing &c Joke.
Young Rude of South Riverside, hav-
ing been called by the defense, and
not being present in court. bench
warrant was issued for him, and court
adjourned the trial until o'clock.
At the afternoon session Thomas
Rude was called by the defense to tes-
tify as to the number of shots fired.
He said there we're three.
This closed the testimony in the case.
Walter II. Bacon of Los Angeles, as
sisting in the prosecution, opened the
argument for the state, followed by
w. M. Peck and G.. r. Freeman for the
defendant.
The claim of the defense was justi-
fable homicide, and the jury evidently
accepted this view, for the verdict re-
turned today was not guilty.
A large packing house belonging to
Il. r. Skelley was destroyed by fire last
night. Just how the fire originated is
not known, but it is believed to have
caught from some one carelessly throw
ing down a lighted cigarette. The
building contained about three car
loads of fruit, besides q quantity of
wrapping paper and box material. The
value the latter is estimated at $3.50,
while the building is estimated to have
been worth $4,000. The property was
insured for $1,000. A policy on the pa.
per and box supplies for $1,000 lspsed q
few days ago. A fireman named O.
Jonas, while driving hose wagon to
the fire, was thrown out and had his
left leg broken below the knee.
AMATEUR DRAMATICs
The dramatic entertainment under
the auspices of the Casa Blanca Lawn
Tennis club will take place at the club
house on the evening of Tuesday, Feb
ruary 25th, and will begin at about 8
o'clock. The Arabian Nights will be
presented-a farce in three acts, found
ed on the German Of Won Moser. The
characters are:
Mr.; Arthur Hummingtop.... &c. L. Waring
Ralph ormerod. ..-...,-.....G. Winterbothapl
Josnua u'4leprahd-. ......-......,...G. CraWlor
DopspIl -'.:.....,..,...... !. FOXton
Mrs nummingtop ..........Miss Annie McNab
Mrs. Glllebrand. d.......... Miss Ethel Wilkes
Rosa Colombier Mrs.. Robert Lee Bettner
Daisy Maitland. d........... Miss Grace Galliland
Barbara ...,..,...,.,..Mis Bertha Crawford
Between the acts Mrs. N. p. Cayley
will play the violin, accompanied by
Mrs. E. h. Shelley on the piano. Mrs.
g. l.. Waring aud Mrs. Duyckiuch will
play duet, and J. Irwin Hoy of Or
ange will perform on the banjo.
NOTES ABOUT TOWN
A number OF Riverside wheelmen
visited Elsinore yesterday and INDUCED
in a plunge in the hot sulphur springs
bath, and partook Of turkey dinner
at the Hot Springs hotel. 81. Il. Scott
made the return trip in an hour and
fifteen minutes, which is time.
Carson Shoemaker will represent
Chatfey college in the bicycle races to
come off in Los Angeles on the ed in
the intercollegiate contest. -.
Entry blanks for the Southern Pa
cific meet at Santa Monica ran ha pro.