The record-union., 1896-03-29
THE RICHARDSON DIAMONDS.
IliGhenStein Bought and Wanted OF
Return the Jewels.
City Attorney Brown and Lawyer Bliss
Pass the Lie While Court
Was in Session.

The examination of T. Litchenstein
Tor receiving stolen property was held
an the Police Court yesterday, A. l..
Hart being his attorney.
Mrs. e. Richardson testified that her
diamonds were stolen about the time
fanny Buchanan, who has been held
to answer for stealing them, left her
mouse. Some days afterward Litchen-
stein called at the house, saying that he
mad seen statement in the papers that
her diamonds had been stolen and had
brought her some unset diamonds and
asked her If she could identify them
as hers. He said that he had bought
them for $50, and as the settings were
old-fashioned, he had melted them UP.
He Thought she should repay him the
$50, but did not insist on 1T. She refused
to accept the diamonds and told him
he had better take them to the Chief of
Police
H. Wachforst identified them as be-
ing those sold by him to Mrs. Richard
sen. He was certain of it, although
there might be other diamonds of the
same quality and weight.
Fanny Buchanan was put on the
stand, and her counsel objected to her
being compelled to testify, on the
ground that she stood charged in an
other proceeding with grand larceny,
and could not be compelled to testify
against herself. The court overruled
the objection, and she refused to an
swer questions regarding her employ
ment by Mrs. Richardson, on the ground
that it might criminate her.
The City Attorney then offered in
evidence an affidavit made by her. Mr..
Hart objected to it as ex parte evidence,
but was overruled. The affidavit was
read and stated that she sold the dia-
Tnonds to Litchenstein for $50 and
signed her name in his book, and that
he told her any name would do.
Mr.. Hart argued that the court had
no right to compel her to testify, as she
had the right under the Constitution to
refuse.
City Attorney Brown said that, in his
opinion, she could not shelter herself
behind her rights. Her attorney had
offered to let her plead guilty of petit
larceny in the Superior Court, If al
lowed to do so. In his opinion her attor-
ney had come very close to committing
felony in attempting to prevent wit
ness from testifying, as he had no right
to interfere with this case.
Mr.. Hart could not see that counsel
of the witness had done wrong in ad-
vising her of her constitutional right,
which was one of the most sacred guar
anteed to the people.
The court said that as the witness
had ayailed herself of her right and no
parallel case had come under his notice,
he would take the matter under advise
ment till 1:30 o'clock.
c. A. Bliss, Mrs. Buchanan's attorney,
said that when City Attorney Brown
stated that he had offered to allow his
client to plead guilty of petit larceny
ne had stated what was not true
Mr.. Bliss did tell me so in my office,
and when he denies having done so,
he lies said Brown, as the two attor-
neys glared at each other savagely.
ST have nothing to do with any con-
versations in your office, Mr.. Brown, ;"
said the court. This court will take
an adjournment till 1:30 p. m.''
When the court convened again City
Attorney Brown said that, in order not
to raise any complications in this case,
or the case of Miss Buchanan, which
might defeat the ends of justice, he
would Withdraw the witness at this
time
r. w. Ash testified that he called on
Litchenstein on Saturday, about 6 p. m,
in answer TO a telephone message.
Litchenstein told him he had read of
the robbery of the diamonds and
thought they might be the ones he had
bought of girl. Witness told him that
Officer Logue was working on the case
and about to arrest the party, and de-
clined to receive them. He afterwards
took Logue to see Litchenstein, and the
latter said that as the settings were
old-fashioned he had taken the. stones
out and was having them set in a stud
and pin. At the time he went up to
see Lftchenstein he had not known that
the diamonds had been sold to Litchen-
stein. The latter made no effort to con-
eeal the fact that he had bought the
diamonds.
Witness was there In the afternoon,
but knew nothing of the robbery at
that time. Some old gold was being
broken up to be sent away, but he did
not hear the earrings mentioned.
The case was continued till next Mon
day at = o. m