Amador ledger., 1905-11-03
The LanCha Plana
Murder Case.
Clarence Murphy on Trial

charged with the murder of Mrs.
Phoebe A. Williams in Lancha Plana
on the night of June IL, 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 has
so many witnesses appeared in a
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 unprejudIced men to try the
case. The questions propounded by
the attorney for the defense, touching
their qualifications as Jurors, were
very searching. The outcome of
Mondays proceeding was the secur-
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 we're
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, Il. j.
Hlghtower, g. z. Jennings.
Mrs. Annie Yoak and l.. W. Maker
we're the first witnesses called. Their
testimony was to the effect that the
murdered woman, was Phoebe A.
Williams, their mother. Deceased
was 76 years old, and had RESIDED in
Lancha Plana As years.
AIonzo Murphy, brother of the de-
tendant, was called and testified
about a 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
Swearlngen 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 IN the mangel
of his barn, and the next day he tele-
phoned to sheriff Norman, but could
not get him; he then telephoned tc
constable Kelley of lone, who met
him at Wallace; defendant was with
him at the time he teIephoned to the
sheriff. Swearingen returned to the
Murphy ranch on June II, and re-
mained there nut1l arrested.
l.. W. Maker was called and iden
titled the photographs as those of hi:
half sister, Miss Carrie Williams.
Mrs. Annie Murphy, wife OF defend
ant, was sworn, but was objected tt
cn the ground that a wife cannot
testify against her husband, and the
objection was sustained.
DIR. Endicott testified that he anc
DR.. A. M. Gall held an autopsy upoI
the body of Mrs. Williams. He tounc
her lying on her back, with three
wounds in her neck, inflicted with {
knife or other sharp instrument
either one of two of the wound!
would cause death, the other wuulc
not in itself have caused death. Ont
wound severed the windpipe-ont
under the chin about four inches tt
left, below left ear. Body was partly
dressed; did not have suit of under
wear on.
Norman Stidson: Resided at Stock
ton; acquainted with defendant, als(
with Mrs. Williams in her life time
Chester Maker was frequent visitor
at Stidson's home; he and defendant
Murphy had patched together; young
Maker was short, heavy set, wieghec
about 145 lbs; witness lived il
Lancha Plana about four years; useC
| To fish in tho auaninn in Nov anc