The San Francisco call., 1899-03-23
DRAMATIC RECITAL OFDETAILS
JOHNSTON WAS KILLED IN COLD
BLOOD.
After Two Hours of Diligent Inquiry
the Inquest Was Terminated With
the Terrible Accusation Against
the Deputy Sheriff.


Johnston came to his death by a gun
shot wound in the neck at the hands
of one Fred DesireIlo, and we, the
undersigned jury, hold Fred Desirello
for willful murder in the first degree.
Such was the verdict of the Coroner's
jury of San Mateo County after two
hours of diligent inquiry into the circum-
stances surrounding the shooting OF
James Johnston, the 17-year-oId boy, who
was shot down by Deputy Sheriff Fred
Desirello a COlma last Saturday evening.
The inquest was held in the town hall
at Colma yesterday morning and was at
tended by large crowd of townspeople
anxious to hear the dramatic recital of
the horrifying details surrounding the
murder. District Attorney Joseph J.
Bullock conducted the examination of
the witnesses to the tragedy
Coroner James Grove and his deputy,
Claude Fox, sat near the District Attor-
ney TO assist him if necessary in the
questioning of the witnesses.
Mrs. Annie GugiemOni and Miss Lucy
Johnston, sisters of the deceased, appear
ed at the inquest in deep mourning and
listened with tears in their eyes to the
recital of the facts which told the story
of their brothers untimely end.
DeSlrello was not present at the in
quest. He was in cell in the County
Jail al San Mateo. where he was safe
from the vengeance of the outraged clti-
Zens of Colma. The authorities 1elt that
it was best to keep twelve miles and sew
eral iron doors between Desirello and the
angry people of the little town where he
committed the crime.
DR.. J. L. Ross of Redwood testified to
having made a post mortem examination
on the body of young Johnston. Dr. Ross
stated that death was caused by shock
and hemOrrhages, resulting from a bullet
wound in the neck
The most important testimony of the
dow hNr aTr<a1
young man who drove the wagon in
which his companion was shot VaCcari
answered all of the District Attorney 5
questions in a deliberate manner, and his
examination brought to light facts that
will probably be powerful agencies in the
conviction of DesirellQ when he is brought
to trial for the shooting of Johnston.
Vaccari recited the story of the shoot
ing in full, leaving out absolutely nothing
that had any bearing on the murder The
bulk of his testimony was substantially
the same as that given The Call last Sat
urday night shortly after the murder. He
testified as follows: when we were
passing the White House man came out
into the road and then stepped back sew
eral feet. The horses were travelling at
a moderate rate of speed not too fast,
and not too slow. heard shot fired,
but did not pay any attention to it until
James Johnston shouted, Jack, somebody
is shooting. He then turned around and
said, Jack, I'm shot. Johnston jumped
out of the wagon and 1 stopped the
horses and got out after him. He was
lying on the sidewalk.
Somebody in the crowd said, Send for
a doctor. Desirello answered, It's too
late. 1 then said to him: Fred, why
did you shoot at US? You had no right
to fire at us. We were doing no harm;
no danger. My horses were not going
fast. You knew well who we We're De-
sirellO then said to me, You keep still or
I'll put a bullet through you A young
more for fear he would shoot me. l then
left the place where Johnston was lying
and went as far as Ocean View for doc
tor and brought him to the scene: When
we got there Johnston was dead"
Vaccari stated positively that the horses
were not running fast and his testimony
on that point was cOrroborated by Henry
Jensen 16-year-old boy who was seated
IN the center of the wagon. Vaccari fur
ther testified that after Johnston was
shot the horses only went three or four
yards before he stopped them. Henry
Jensen testified that he was looking back
and saw the flashes from the revolver in
the hands of Desirello Jensen also cor
roborated Vaccari's statement regarding
the threat Desrello made on the life of
Vaccari.
Constable Daniel Thomas Neville then
appeared before the jury and told the
story of Desirello's arrest.
Misses Ida and Lillian Ravn both stated
that they were coming from the station
when they were attracted to the scene OF
the shooting by the crowd in front, of
was lying Both heard Desirello say to
Vaccari, You keep still or I'll put bull
let through you"
Several other witnesses were also called
who testified TO minor details.
The Inquest which was opened promptly
AT 10 o'clock was closed at noon. When
the testimony was all introduced Coroner
James Grove arose and requested the
SPECTATORS to withdraw from the hall
While the jury deiberated on their YER
dict Just as soon as one of their num-
Der could write the verdict they all signed
it. The crowd were invited to file into
the hall again in less than five minutes to
hear the verdict rendered.
charging Desirello with the willful muir
der Of James Johnston We're: Hugh Z.
Rodgers Thomas E. Kennedy M. Millett,
Joseph Selicano, James Rodgers, MlcnaeI
Griffin Fred Selcano, Fred Pierce and
NJ Callan