Amador ledger., 1906-05-11
The Ledoux Murder Case

The Ledoux Murder Case
1t is now we'll along in the month
of May, and the time for the trial of
Mrs Emma LIE Doux, accused of the
murder of A. N. McVicar of James
town is speedily appr oaching, and all
principals to the affair contending
counsel, officials and witnesses-are
preparing for the 22nd day of the
month, when an attempt will be made
to solve what has been heralded
throughout the country as the trunk
mystery.
Sheriff Sibley and assistant district
attorney George f. McNoble are away
from Stockton, and it Is assumed they
are gathering data to be used at the
trial of the cause. The history of
Mrs LeDoux might become an impor-
tant factor in the case, and this too
must be thoroughly looked up. Depu-
ty sheriff Mark Smith returned only
recently from Jamestown and Raw
hide, where he subpoenaed sixteen
witnesses to appear IN department two
of the superior court on May 22nd.
The attorneys for the accused are bus
lily engaged in outlining their defense,
preparing Instructions for the jury,
looking up law, and arranging every
detail prior to the date of trial.
The least concerned of all is Mrs
LIE Doux. She appears to be as salts
fed in her cell as if she were sur
rounded with all the coveted luxuries
of life. Her conversation is guarded,
and 1t Is seldom that references made
to the mysterious affair in which she
is implicated. The passer-by may al
most any time in the day walk along
the west side of San joaquin street
and see her sitting in a chair compla-
Gently absorbing with interest the
maneuvers of people coming and going
within her view.
The case against the woman must be
proven, if proven at all, upon secon-
Diary or circumstantial evidence. AS
consequence the work of The sheriff s
and district attorneys offices is more
laborlous and covers more extensive
field than if there were some existing,
direct and positive circumstances sur
rounding the case. The corpus delecti
or body of the scrime is the actual
murder of A. N. McVicar, and must
be established by competent evidence.
Here is one of the hardest points of
the case, and can only be proven by
circumstances. Providing this point
is established then Mrs LIE Doux must
be connected with the murder. Taken
from every standpoint the case is con-
sidered one of the most complex ever
coming before the notice of the people
of this city. -
AS regards the trial it is believed
that several weeks will be consumed
in selecting jury and examining
the witnesses. jury will be hard to
empanel. There are many men who
do not want to take to themselves the
responsibility of passing upon such 6
cae, while there are many others who
will be disqualified by reason of opin
ions formed in reading newspaper re
ports or from discussions on the out
side. 1t is estimated that there viii
be from rs to 100 witnesses to be ex
amined during the course OF the trial
The fact that the case against tn,
woman must be established by pre-
vaiIing circumstances leaves the Off
cials in such position that they mus
obtain evidence to connect every linl
) in the chain and establish every poin
beyond the reasonable doubt accorded
to the defendant by the rules of Am
erican Jurisprudence.
Every person who has followed tn
accounts of the investigation of tn
case directly preceding and after tn
. capture of Mrs LIE Doux is very vel
advised as to what will be proven b
: the prosecution, whereas in contras
nothing has leaked out regarding tn
defense. Many have speculated as t
. what might constitute a good an
sufficient defense, but Mrs LIE Doux'
) attorneys say nothing but look wis
or smile when approached. upon th
. point. Stockton Independent.