The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-11-20
NeyilIs- Williams Case.
Talk of Crookedness
Leads to Words and
Blows.

| A jury scandal Is promised in the New
ills-Williams- Azhderian case now on trial
before Judge Carroll Cook. Detective
Curtin and the attorneys for the aged
millionaire believe an attempt is being
made to fix the jury and acquit the al
legged extortionists. If this succeeds, the
prosecution is firmly convinced that an
effort to mulct Captain Nevills of several
thousand dollars will surely follow.
Detective Curtin, who is in the employ
of Nevills, is keeping a vigilant watch on
several suspicious persons who are con-
slant attendants at the trial in question.
He declares that ten to fifteen notorious
jury bribers are present at every session
of the court, and further alleges that
members of the jury have been talking
with these parties. This, however, is not
sufficient ground to make an accusation
in court that embracery is being attempt
ed, but suspicious are aroused and close
tab will be kept to uncover any criminal
ity.
Yesterday afternoon Curtin and D. B.
Woodwork had a fight in the corridor
outside Judge Cooks chambers. The al
tercation was the outcome of a statement
by Curtin that Woodwork was not at
tending the trial for any honest motive.
Woodwork received a severe beating,
and was taken to the Receiving Hospital
for repairs.
Day before yesterday Attorney Riordan,
who is conducting Nevills' case, reported
to Judge Cook that Woodwork was seen
talking to Juror Wilcox and that he was
suspicious that his motive was not an
honorable one. Yesterday afternoon, as
the court adjourned, Woodwork met At
torneys Riordan and Short and Detective
Curtin in the corridor. Woodwork ap-
preached them and accused Mr.. Rfordan
of OBTAINING his character and attempt
ing to injure his reputation as an at
torney. Riordan replied that he had only
performed his duty in the premises. Then
!. 70 hn hal IyOr n
then accused Detective Curtin of cir
culating lies about him. Curtin called the
attorney a liar. and Woodwork struck
the detective, who retaliated by knocking
Woodwork down. Woodwork arose and
was about to resume the fight, when one
of Curtin's employees mixed in. with the
result that the attorney was badly used
Detective Curtin talked of the affair last
night and also gave out the Information
that he believed an attempt was being
made to fix the jury and secure YER
dict against Nevills. He said:
You may state in as strong language
sprung before the Nevills case is ended.
Attorney Riordan called the attention of
the court to only one suspicious incident.
There are dozens of them. Every day l
see from ten to fifteen notorious jury
bribers in Judge Cooks courtroom. They
do not attend every session out OF curtos.
ity. They are there for purpose and II
they don't watch out some of them will
go across the bay.
This fellow Woodwork, who has been
present all during the trial, is the man
who was mixed up with the A. P. AS two
years. ago. He was connected with Don
aid Ross Marshall and Huddleson in an
unsavory piece of work which was pub
lished at the time. This man has been
hobnobbing with Juror Wilcox. Now, I
don't accuse Wilcox of being crooked, but
he is in bad company. Woodwork sits
| close to the jury box and we have over
heard some of his remarks to jurors as
| they were passing out. His words, of
! course, have no meaning unless an under
standing has been reached.
1.-The other day heard him say, so a
juror could hear, I'll fix those papers up
Tomorrow, and other equally strange
sentences.
"Woodworth is the close friend of
George w. Baker, who is conducting the
defense He has had frequent interviews
with one or two jurors and then has gone
directly to Bakers Office. There are q
number of other things which have a
strange appearance, and we are only wait
ing developments.