The San Francisco call., 1898-12-17

matter at the time, because it might ap- pear little grewSome; that Is to say, 1t might be so regarded by the popular mind and cause whiSperingS during the funeral. Then again, Deputy Coroner Streightif is of a somewhat excitable disposition, and could not perhaps appreciate the rights of attorneys in such matters. So 1 thought it best to keep the information from him until after the funeral. Had he not dis covered it we should not have said any thing about the skull until we produced it at the trial.
 II believe that we are perfectly justified by law in taking the skull If there be any property in girls dead body 1t cer- tainly belongs to her father and we were acting for him and with his authority. We contend that 1t Is a great deal easier to show to jury the condition of the skull by presenting it to the jurors and letting them see it for themselves than by permitting a half dozen physicians to describe in scientific and ambiguous terms that which the skull itself can show at a glance.
 ''As a matter of fact. the skull does not show any evidence of being beaten. In examining the witnesses for the prescott uon they were all very careful, knowing We had the skull, to account for the fact that there were no injuries visible on the outside of the skull. They all explained that young girls skull could be heavily beaten and that the evidence would be in- side and not outside
 Another point of great importance is the testimony of the experts regarding hanging. One afternoon l asked Dr. Btu teau if it were not possible for all the symptoms of hanging to be absent and yet for death to have been caused by hanging. Dr. Buteau rdiculed the idea but next morning, after he mad looked the matter up, he found that such is some times the case, and We contend that 1t was in this case"
 Although holdinr the receipt for the skull of Lillian Brandes, the prosecution declares that it will be a very hard mat ter to prove that the skull Is really that of the dead girl. It has already been ad- mitted by the defense that the skull was not receipted for until after 1t was taken | from Lillians coffin and that 1t has been in their possession ever since Should the skull not compare with the testimony of the experts for the prosecution, the State will no doubt deny that the skull pro- duced In evidence is the skull of Lillian
 and will force the defense to prove that it is. Even the eXhuming of the body at that time might not prove that the skull
 held by the defense was really portion about this matter pr. Buteau said
 When the skull is produced in court hope, if 1t differ at all from the testimony not know whose hands the skull may pass through before it gets before a jury, and l shall make no criticisms. l have, how ever, a very positive knowledge of the
 exact condition of the skull and mem branes at the autopsy. and if they are not the same when l again see them I shall am sure. will the other physicians in high standing who were present with me at the autopsy.
 Judge J. J. Allen. District Attorney elect, who has been conducting the pros ecution of Brandes, thinks 1t hard ly probable that any charges will be pre- WoolSey on account of their having re- moved the skull cap from the girls head
 of course. not having as yet assumed the office of District Attorney" he said
 'it is not for me to make any move in the matter. That is question for MT Shook to decide have read the sec of he Nn1 .flA
 punishment of body snatchers and while 1 have not studied it closely. 1t Is my be- lief that the statute is so loosely drawn that it would be very difficult to obtain a conviction should MT. Bennett and Dr. Woolsey be charged with desecrating the body of the dead girl. l think it very ceed against them.
 "As far as the prosecution is concerned the fact that the defense has possession of the skull makes little difference We have made our entire case on the ground that the skull shows death was due to violent blows on the head. Our expert ly after 1t was first discovered that the girl had been murdered. have all testified to this fact. They base their belief on the discolorations of the blood vessels be- tween the plates of the skull and the adhesion oi SIS membranes of the brain to the bone The doctors are all reputa- ble physicians equal in skill to Dr. Wool sey. They found the skull in such a condition that they believed the girl had been killed by blow on the head They arrived at their conclusion from an ex- animation of the skull soon after death. Whether the. discolorations noticed by The time which has elapsed may A,9w have effaced them. or they may have been re- moved by other means. but the fact that they were there we can clearly prove bv the physicians who have already testified in the preliminary hearing which resulted in Brandes being held to answer for the
 murder of his daughter.
 "The question of the legality of the action of the defense laid aside they de- serve public condemnation for their des- ecration of the body of Miss Brandes. believe that the sentiment of the people Is against them. They went in an un-