The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-04-05
JONES' TESTIMONY MUST BE
CORROBORATED.
PATRICK TAKES IT C00LLY
Treats discriminating Statements Of
Alleged Accomplice with ;.
Utmost Contempt.

New York, April 4-There were at
least two incidents during today's
cross examination of Charles A. Jones.
the valet-secretary of the late Mill
ionaire William Marsh Rice, which
rose above the ordinary One was
remark by Justice Jerome who pre-
sided at the hearing, and which prob
ably shows why Lawyer Patrick, ac-
cused with Jones of the murder of the
former Texan, has all along taken the
accusations of Jones against himself
with demeanor almost bordering on
contempt.
Attorney Moore, for the defense,
had asked that when the hearing
closed for the defense that it not be
resumed until Tuesday. Justice
Jerome seemed willing and then added !:
cit is necessary that Jones' testimony
as to this murder should be corroborat-
ed. He being elf-confessed accom-
plice, his testimony alone is not
enough upon which to hold Patrick. :"
Attorney Moore tersely added to
this ''We understand that; we. sup
pose the district attorney does, too"
| Tonight those who are watching the
case closely are wondering what COR
roborative testimony the state will
| introduce to sustain the statements of
Jones. The other incident brought
out in the clearest light the indomin
able nerve of Lawyer Patrick
In the face of the reiterated story
of Jones that Patrick had instigated
tho forgeries and the actual murder,
the latter took his place in the court
proceedings with the utmost nonchal-
ance. At one point it became neces-
sary that statement made by Jones
be read and it was given into the
hands of one of the counsel for the de-
fense for that purpose. This was the
statement in which the valet claimed
Patrick killed Rice and which he has
since denied. The reader hesitated
and stumbled over the words. Sud
denly Patrick spoke up exclaiming,
Here, guess I can make it out
I III read it.
This was agreed to and in loud,
| clear voice he read: esp. got a towel
and sponge, and saturated the sponge
with colorless liquid he had III a
bottle. Then he went into the room
where r. lay in bed. I (Jones) was
not in the room, but opened the door
and peeked in. P was standing
over r.. with the cone-s shaped towel
in his hand and he pressed it down
over r. IS face.''
Patrick was still reading with nc
show of emotion when Justice Jerome
ordered recess for luncheon.
At another point in the proceedings
Justice Jerome gave his estimate OF
Jones with characteristic terseness.
Attorney Moore had been plying the
witnesses with questions all tending
to bring out the valet's lying propensi-
ties. He showed that Jones had lied
to and deceived his own father when
the latter called upon him at the hos
pital after he had attempted suicide
that he had lied to Assistant District
Attorney Osborne and that he had
lied to his own counsel. Here Justice
Jerome struck in with the remark
"This witness is weak, wicked and
unfortunate man. He is a self con
fessed murderer and deserves con-
tempt, but I won't allow you to in
suit him
| There was very little new matter
brought out at today's hearing. The
whole of the cross. examination of Mr..
Moore, who is Patrick s personal coun-
sci, was confined to showing up Jones
as man who could not be believed.
When court adjourned it was until
next Tuesday.
| THEY IGNORE CUSTOM.