The San Francisco call., 1899-03-08
CHARGES BY HER ATTORNEY
SAWYER AYERS THAT OFFICERS
ASKED HER QUESTIONS.
William A. Brandes' Trial Delayed
Through the Sudden Illness
of One of the Jurors,
Philip Sieben.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call,
L.

9OS Broadway, March Z.
Attorney F. w. Sawyer endeavored to
create a sensation in Judge Halls depart
ment to-day, when Mrs. Eta Brandes,
charged with murder, appeared to have
her case continued another week on ac-
count of the trial of her husband Will
liam A. Brandes, occupying the court S
attention.
Attorney Sawyer, addressing Judge
Hall, stated that since the adjournment
in Brandes' trial last Friday it had come
to his knowledge that two officers had ap-
preached Mrs. Brandes in the County
Jail and had attempted to extort ad-
missions from her, Notwithstanding she
had been advised by her attorneys not
to be interviewed. He said that these off,
GERS represented that they were author
lied to do so by the court, and he asked
Judge Hall to protect his client from such
unfair methods.
The statement created a considerable
stir momentarily. Judge Hall expressed
surprise, and assured Mr. Sawyer that he
Brandes any questions, and moreover
that he would in no case do SO.
Sawyer subsequently stated that Police
man Bert Curtis and Deputy, Sheriff
George V. Taylor had invaded Mrs.
Brandes' cell, insisting that she an
swer questions as to her age, nativity,
the date of her marriage and even her
weight. The officers threatened, con-
tinued Sawyer, that they would find a
way to compel her to answer if she re-
fused" Mrs. Brandes emphatically re-
fused to answer any of the questions.
George Taylor is also assistant Jailer,
and when ,questioped by. a Call reporter
easily explained Sawyers charges. He
seemed greatly amused over the accusa-
tions.
ask her the questions, but it was abSo-
lutely in our line of duty. We were seek
ing information for the rogues gallery.
AFa wis Glad n oct q q n
tion of the prisoner for our records. 1t is
an absurd hulabaloo to suppose that we
had any thought of using such informa-
tion at the wOman'S trial
Mrs. Brandes' case was continued for
another week, and then the trial of her
accused husband was resumed. the de-
tense calling to the stand Dr. A H. Pratt
as a medical expert, whose testimony
briefly was to the effect that evidences
marks about the neck are not prominent
in cases of young persons where the ltga-
ture is removed soon after death.
! Though blood oozed thirty-one hours af-
ter death and parchment skin appeared
on the neck, the expert thought, these
would not necessarily indicate. hanging.
In reply TO a question put by Juror
Sieben DR.. Pratt admitted that author
tiles on evidences of hanging are so con-
Trajectory that there is no accounting for
on cross-examination DIR. Pratt testi-
fed that there were adheSlonS and IN
fammation in the dura mater of Lillian
Brandes that were abnormal. AS to the
mark on the dead girls neck, witness said
it might have been made by the apron in
evidence. provided it was twisted into a
very firm condition, such as rope.
The trial was here brought to a sudden
termination for the day by reason OF one
Of the jurors, Philip Sieben, being taken
sick. Mr.. Sieben, who resides in Alameda,
had been i'll this morning when he came
over. He suffered from dizziness and a
rushing of blood to the head and his nose
began bleeding profusely. Accordingly
court adjourned until $3.50 tomorrow
morning