The herald., 1897-06-30
Valdez Many Confessions
Render All Worthless
THE BIG WATER SUIT
A CYCLIsT SUING FOR S21O4
AS DAMAGES
The Jury Awards $1,000 in the Con-
demnation Suit-Palomares Irri-
cation Company in Court

The testimony in the murder trial OF
Frank Valdez continues to be of the
stereotyped character presented at the
preliminary examination. Some new
facts were drawn from witnesses on
cross examination, but only as having
a rather indirect bearing upon the case.
Whether the boy Frank actually mur-
dered the storekeeper Lorden or not is
the question for the jury to decide. but It
is beyond all cavil or dispute that the
lad has shown the most marked apti-
tude for lying. Indeed, his propensity
in this direction must be of abnormal
proportions.
When being driven in from Calabasas
to Los Angeles Frank made his first
confession. or statement, to Constable
Branscomb and Mr.. Settle. Branscomb
was not permitted to tell about this when
upon the stand yesterday, for it was
shown that he "bluffed' the boy into
talking. Arriving in the city, Valdez
was put through his PAGES in the district
attorneys Office, in presence of the
law officers and the office detective, but
without anyone to advise him as to what
he should do in the premises. 1t was
then the boy rose to the occasion and
accused Justice Richardson of Calabasas
Of bribing him to kill Lorden.
When the justice was on the stand yes
terday Attorney Appel drew from him
certain facts which illustrate how things
are run in the classic burg of Calabasas.
Justice Richardson was at home when.
he heard of the arrest of Valdez, and
came down to his court room expect
ing the prisoner would be brought be-
fore him. But there is no love lost be-
tween the justice and Constable Brans-
comb, and the former had time to cool
his heels in waiting. Finally he sent
word to Branscomb that he was in court.
ready to preside at the arraignment of
his prisoner, and that he had better
bring him along. The constable sent
back word that he'd do nothing of the
kind. AS there is another justice at
Calabasas, Branscomb was not under
bonds to take prisoner before Richard
son, but as the latter was close at hand
it would have been the proper thing for
him to do. Richardson then started off
with several other people toward the
calaboose, as he said, to let Brauscomb
AHON that lie W dS dI OuIlQs lie COu-
stable met the party with pistol in his
hand and stood them up when they
sought to approach. Justice Richard
son told him that he had not come to
interfere with his prisoner, but just to
tell him that according to his understand
ing of the law he should bring the pris-
oner before the nearest and most acces-
sible magistrate. Branscomb thought
l. l. r..
tice's office were reduced just so much.
After the confession. of Valdez, made
before the district attorney, in which he
accused Justice Richardson had had its
edge taken off by suspicious being en-
gendered as to its bona fide character,
Valdez revived interest by making an
other confession. to the sheriff, in which
he charged Roney Crane with bargain
ing with him to kill Lorden. Crane was
arrested, but at later date was released
without examination.
All these confessions are supposed to
have been made voluntarily, and with
out pressure of direct or indirect char
acter.
Some of this kind of testimony was read
to the jury yesterday, counsel for the de-
fense consenting to its introduction, but
the value of it must be very doubtful.
With the exception of the witnesses
named by The Herald yesterday, and
who will be in. court this morning, the
prosecution closed yesterday. The de-
fense, in opening it's case, only put for
ward two witnesses, and these of the
least Importance, for until the prosecu-
tion has completely closed it cannot be
expected that the batteries of the de-