The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-12
DDFDNSES NEW TACTICS
In the Trial Of Sheriff Martin and
His Deputies For Murder.
PECUNIARY INTEREST ALLEGED.
Unsuccessful Effort to Provo by One
Witness That Ms Evidence Was In-
fiuenced by Hope of Securing DAM
-ages-43cfense's Objections Sustained


huenced by Hope of Securing DAM
-ages-Defense's ObJe ct!ons Sustained
Wilkesbarre, Pa, Feb. 12.-When
court opened yesterday for the trial of
Sheriff Martin and his deputies the de-
tense introduced Il new feature in the
cross examination by endeavorlng TO
show that the evidence of the witness
was Influenced by the hope of securing
damages from the government in the
event of conviction.
Adam Lapinski, the first Witness was
asked what country he came from.
"Russo-Poland, he said. Counsel for
the defense then endeavored to secure
an admission that he expected pecuni-
ary reward IL the deputies were con-
kyicted.
The commonwealth objected to this
Dline of cross examination, but the OBJ
lection was overruled. The defense.
however. failed to secure the admis-
sion from Lapinski.
Thomas Paris told the story of the
march to Lattimer. He said the men
were unarmed and orderly, and that
they intended to make no trouble. At
the first shot, Paris said, he ran, but
was struck by q bullet when he was
about so yards away from the deputies.
The ball struck him In the back Of the
arm and passed through, while some
bullets pierced his coat.
Michael Srochak told how about
eight of the deputies had followed the
fleeing strikers at Lattimer and shot
at them as they ram Il was standing
near the deputies" said he, when the
firing began. A man fell dead by my
side, and 1 dropped. too, instead of
cunning After the volley about eight
of the deputies followed the strikers
for about 30 yards, shooting all the
time"
Andrew Maier, who lost his leg in
the shooting at Lattimcr, came into the
courtroom on crutches. His right leg
is Off few inches below the hip. He
said that he was not at West Hazleton,
but joined the strikers further on and
lmarched to Lattiner. He was standing
In the middle of the line when the
shooting commenced and started to
run but got bullet in the leg and
dropped. He saw lots of others drop,
too. Maier said the shooting contin-
ued for a couple of minutes after he
was shot.
! Martin I.achar testified that when he
was at West Hazlcton one of the dep
uties had taken hold of him, pushed
him around and cursed him. He saw
one of the deputies at Lattimer kick
andre Maier as the latter lay in the
road with his leg shot almost OFF.
The defense objected to this evidence
on the ground that the shooting was
all over when the kicking is alleged to
have taken place, and the deputy who
kicked Maier had not been identified.
hThere was a long argument on this
point Judge Woodward deciding, as
usual, in favor Of the defeuse. In sus-
tanning the objection he said: II put
my ruling on ground which I consider
legally impregnnble. The proposition
in this offer is to show malice by both
declaration and act by person who is
not shown to be one of the defendants,
and after the shooting occurred"
| The cross examination Of Lachar was
commenced by Attorney Palmer, and
the witness denied that the strikers
had injured man at Crystal Ridge
SO badly that he died few days later.
He also denied telling deputy that
the strikers were going to Lattimer to
raise, h. ....,.
= Matthias Chya said he was about
200 yards from the deputies when he
heard single shot and was hit in
the shoulder. This was after the vo'ley
was fired. He showed the scars OF his
wound to the jury. On cross eXamina-
tion he denied that the strikers had
forced him to march with them, and
also denied that the strikers intended
forcing out the Lattimer men If they
did not go on strike willingly.
Mike Julas, who was shot through
the body at Lattimer, and who is still
very weak and sick, said that when
the strikers halted he heard some dep
uty give the order to fire. He at once
ran. but had gone only few steps
when he was hit and fell. The ball
struck him In the back, pierced his left
lung, and came out an inch above the
heart. He showed the scars to the jury.
On cross examination he denied that
he had shouted to the sheriff: I'VE
must kill you, you - - - sheriff"
John Derock also testified that he
heard a command 10 fire but could not
tell who gave it..