Los Angeles herald., 1905-02-15
CHAMPION FAMILY
IN BITTER FEUD
FRATRlClDE DUE TO OLD TIME
ENMlTY
RELATIVES ARE TAKING SIDES
Trial of the Murder Case Brings to
Light Quarrel Dating Back
to Early History of Family
In the South

Proceedings in Judge Smiths de-
day in connection with the trial oi
G. G. Champion, who is charged with
the murder of his brother. Thomas d
Champion. at Eylsian park in Decem-
Der last, brought to light the exist
ence of feud wherein it was Cham.
pion against Champion and war to
the knife.
The Championship they are num-
In the states of Ala
bama and Texas, and the story which
has been told in connection with this
case is but counterpart to famous
code duello which is local only to the
states of the old south.
Even at the present trial the CHAM
pion family is divided against itself.
and while score or more seek to re-
venge the death of their relative,
others of the same family are endeav-
oring to free their living relative.
With his gray locks hanging over
every move in the case, and yesterday
when many of his relatives gave dam
aging testimony against him the aged
defendant who stands charged with
fratricide was apparently undisturbed
The prosecution rested shortly after
the noon hour and the defendant COM
menced his defense of the charge
against him.
Makes Damaging Admissions
George j. Champion, son, made a
strong effort to assist his father in his
fight for life, but on cross examina-
ton by Deputy District Attorney Don
nell the young man made some dam
aging admissions which may affect his
fathers cause.
He admitted under a strong cross
fire of questions that his father had
openly made threats against the boys
uncle, the deceased, and it also devel-
oped that Champion and his wife had
quarreled.
Mrs. Jennie Champion, the wife of
the accused man, next took the stand,
and, while not an eye witness to the
tragedy, her testimony was neverthe-
less relevant as tending to show the
feeling existing between the two
brothers.
In a whispered tone of voice she
gave her testimony, the gist of which
went to show that since an accident
her husband has been mentally af-
fected.
Il think he is nervous wreck" in
sisted the little woman, and she made
an effort to keep back the tears.
Champion Was Nervous
She asserted that while speaking of
the trouble at a time prior to the COM
of the crime her husband was
nervous. HE was more like a crazy
man." added Mrs. Champion.
Mrs. Champion testified that her
husband had always treated his
brother kindly, and that at the time
Of Thomas d. Champions advent into
California from his southern home her
husband had financially aided his
brother.
On cross examination, however by
the deputy district attorney this wit
ness also failed to add strength to the
cause of her husband, for she told the
court that on the morning of the |
tragedy she had advised Thomas
to be on his guard. as her
husband had threatened to kill him
f he meaning the deceased) ever
crossed his path.
William Champion, a cousin. told OF
-he trouble existing between the
brothers. 1t was this wit
ness that gave an interesting account
Of the Champion family, and at some
ength he told the court of it's advent
From the testimony of this witness
Z appears the deceased was also a
nan of determination and one who
orided himself on his family name
Threats of Brother
When the threats of his brother
we're communicated to him the de-
leased only replied:
81 don't want trouble, but if any
nan wants 1t all he has to do is to
lame the time, the place and the hour
Ind I'll be there"
officer Jones, who placed Champion
lnder arrest subsequent to the
ragedy, testified that the defendant
efused to talk concerning the affair
'ther than to say:
''There is too much Champion blood
n me to allow anybody to walk over
me-"
Id daughter of the dead man, gave
damaging testimony against her uncle. .
he defendapt, She asserted that be-
ween and o'clock on the afternoon
I the day the crime was committed
er uncle came to the back fence of ]
er fathers house and told her that q