The herald., 1896-09-12
Ex0NERATED BY THE JURY
Inquest at Santa Monica Upon the Body Of
William !. Kears.

Inquest at Santa Monica Upon the Body Of
William .. Kearss
Coroner Campbell held an inquest at
Santa Monica yesterday morning on the
body of William Ivens Kearse. who was
killed there Thursday evening by Capt.
j. M. Morris, his father-in A jury
was secured, consisting of r. H. Miller
H. l.. Jones, r. p. Elliott, G. Scollard,
! M. C. Roth, George D. Pendleton, T. r.
Garlic. The first witness was Mrs. j.
M. Morris, who told the story of the
shooting as previously given in the Her.
aid, and said that Kearse remarked a
few days ago: IF 1 find Mr.. Morris
l will shoot him on the spot"
Il told him to keep cool and for God S
sake not to do it. He has abused his
wife ever since she married him. The
knife he used to cut the screen door
with was his own butcher knife. On
Monday night Mr.. Morris was driven
out of his house by Kearse and stayed
away for about half an hour.
'Mr. Kearse was addicted to drink
ing. and was perfect madman when
drunk, and Mr.. Morris was afraid of
his life when Kearse was in this condi
tion. On Thursday night he came over
and was outside for about five minutes
before he broke in the door. which was
bolted and had a plank against it to
brace it. AS he broke III the door he
said: Damn you open the door, When
/ heard the report of the gun Mr.. Morris
and all of us were terrified. Mr.. Kearse
was very strong and athletic, and there
was no telling what he would do"
Miss Collins testified that Mrs. Morris
cried out to Mr.. Kearse. I'm the name of
God go away, papa is not here" when
Kearse was looking for Norris Monday
evening, Morris being afraid of Kearse.
Miss Jessie Thomas testified that she
worked at the store but lived at home.
Thursday morning Kearse said, He
or Morris had to die, and the first time
he saw Morris he would kill him." He
said Morris had shot at him. That he
never yet saw man big enough to whip
or kill him. He said he would kill Mrs.
Morris also. He threatened thus three
times on Tuesday and once on Thursday.
He also said that the next time he saw
them he would rip them. He had bot
tie of whisky in his pocket; he had a
mean temper. "On Thursday morning
he started to choke Mrs Kearse before
me, and if it had not been for me would
have killed her. She went to her parents
for protection. He said he would give
her five minutes to cook his dinner. as
q wife should do, or he would kill her"
I. r. Sheckles testified that he had
was in Morris house at the time of the
shooting. Kearse came to the house
twice. The last time-he said: II will
kill your papa all right" He tied the
reins ofg the horse he was driving to
the wheel, reached for his hip pocket as
if for a gun. He saw Kearse break the
door open, when Morris fired two shots.
This was about o'clock Thursday even
ing. The first time was about O'clock.
Morris was away then.
The shooting occurred through the
back screen door. II saw him through
the window when tying his horse. The
door was braced by a 1X4 inch scantl1ng.
l saw Morris get his gun. Kearse pushed
the door open. bending the scantling.
Morris shouted, go away. kearse
said Damn you, 1 WILL" when Morris
discharged both barrels of his shotgun
and Kearse fell. 1t was matter of
Morris protecting his life. Morris
showed no revengeful feelings. l was
there to run errands for Morris, who
was afraid to go out"
Fred H. Taft of Tanner & Taft tes-
titled: That on Tuesday or wednesday
Morris came to the office and told us or
his troubles, and asked for advice. he
said he was afraid to go any where,
saying, "Kearse has sent me word that
he would kill me on sight and do not
know what to do. 1 dare not leave my
family unprotected. 1t would do no
good to have him arrested as he could
give bonds" He was told that when
Kearse sobered up he would be all right:
Morris seemed to be in deathly fear of
Kearse. l know Kearse. He was very
violent when in liquor, and very set and
determined on all subjects.
w. e. Webb and A. l.. Forsyth also
testified to the same state of facts.
The Jury rendered verdict that the de-
ceased had come to his death from two
gunshot wounds inflicted by Captain
Morris while the latter was protecting
himself and family from attack. Capt.
Morris was released from custody of the
officers as the verdict exonerates him
from blame.
nr,yr- r