Amador ledger., 1905-11-10
CLARENCE MURPHY TRIAL
The Evidence Up to the Time Of Going to Press
Will Probably End Tomorrow

The trial of Clarence Murphy
charged with the murder of Mrs
Phoebe A. Williams in Lancha PIani
on the night of June II, was commen
ced in the superior court last Mon
day morning. The town was filled
with trial jurors and witnesses sub
poened en- both sides. Probably
never in the history of the county hai
SO many witnesses appeared in {
criminal trial. The number of wit
ness for the defense, from outside the
county, Is in excess of one hundred
Many of those, it is said, know
nothing whatever of the merits of the
case, but have been brought here
probably as witness on character.
The prosecution is represented by
district attorney Vicini alone; and
the defendent's case is conducted by
W. K. Jacobs, an attorney from
Stockton.
Defendants wife, daughter of W.
Grail of Lancha Plana, was present in
the court room from the commence
ment of the trial; also brother OF
the defendant was inside the rail.
Altogether five or SIX brothers have
been brought here for the defense.
The first day was consumed in the
effort to secure jury of impartial
and unprejudlced men to try the
case. The questions propounded by
the attorney for the defense, touching
their qualifications as Jurors, we're
very searching. The outcome of
Mondays proceeding was the secuI-
ing of five jurors, who we're sworn in
to try the case. This was the result
of the examination of only u tales
men, most of whom we're excused for
cause, three premptoriIy.
On Tuesday the selection of the
jury was resumed, and at the adjourn
ment of court on that day four more
jurors had been secured, making
nine, with about sixty names in the
original venire left from which to
select the remaining jurors.
On Wednesday morning the work
of getting the jury was completed.
Between 40 and so talesman were
examined in the process of securing
the jury, and most of those rejected
we're peremptorily excused by one
side or the other. The jury sworn to
try the case is composed of the
following named persons, S. j. Pearce,
W. S. Afford, Geo. Chisholm, Chas
H. Courier, E. G. Mccormick. Myron
S. Matson, T. Bloom, Geo G. Kefter,
John RAIDER, John Andrews, T. j.
H1ghtower, q. z. Jennings.
Mrs. Annie Yoak and l.. W. Maker
we're the first witnesses called. Their
testim ony was to the effect that the
murdered woman, was Phoebe A.
Williams, their mother. Deceased
was 76 years old, and had reisded in
Lancha Plana 45 years.
AIonzo Murphy, brother of the de-
tendant, was called and testified
about certain horse-a black stall
lion weighing about 700 lbs-which
animal is believed to have been
used by defendant and Swearingen in
driving to and from the Murphy
ranch on the night of the murder.
Witness testified that he resided at
Clements. Swearingen worked for
him, and left his employ on the Fri
day preceding the murder. Defend
ant and Swearingen left his ranch
together. They took the team to
Lockford. Defendant returned, but
SwearIngen did not, as he stated he
was going to San Francisco to get his
head fixed, he being rather hard of
hearing. Witness drove the horse to
Clements on the night following the
murder, to get a doctor, as his wife
was sick; he remarked to the doctor
that the horse seemed sick. Witness
found two photographs ID the manger
of his barn, and the next day he tele-
phoned to sheriff Norman, but could
not get him; he then telephoned to