The San Francisco call., 1907-03-22
WITNESS IN TAYLOR TRIAL
MAKES BRIBERY CHARGE
AGAINST THE C0CHRANEs
Deputy Sheriff Truette OF
Marin County Says He
Was Offered $500
ADMITS HE HAD LIED
Testimony Is Discredited by
His Admissions That He
Spoke Falsely

One Of the sensations slumbering IN
the Taylor -Cochrane fued was awsk-
ened Yesterday. when the trial OF
Sheriff Taylor Of Marin County,
charged with criminal libel, came UP
before Judge Csbsniss-
Deputy Sheriff Truette, q friend Of
Tavlor. unloosened shock that
brought everybody in the crowded
court room TO attention. when he al
legged that he had been approached
by Salvador Pacheco, 3 friend of the
Cochrane brothers. and told that there
would be $500 in IL for him If he would
testify favorably 10 the Cochranes.
According TO the witness, Pacheco
also told him to go and see NJ. y.
Cochrane about getting the money. lie
did visit NJ Il. COchrane, but testified
that the latter had made no offer TO
him for any testimony. Subsequently,
said Truette. he had been offered a
lucrative position by Sheriff Taylor,
and another job by Assessor Cochrane.
All Of Truette's testimony was nnally
discredited by Judge Cabaniss because
Truettc admitted frankly that he had
lied about his knowledge of the case.
II was expected by the Cochranes
that Truette would declare that Sheriff
TAYLOR had told him. prior to the pub
lication Of the letter which furnished
The basis Of the libel suit, that he,
TAYLOR. intended 20 indite such a letter
and that he intended 10 give il TO a
reporter and have IL published. This
statement is claimed by the Cochranes
TO have been made TO them by Truette
before witnesses. and the importance
Of il is great because Sheriff Taylor S
defense is based on his declaration
that he opposed the publication Of the
now famous letter Of January Il. But
Truette. on the stand, denied having
had this conversation. and claimed that
he did not recall any time when Taylor
had told him OF his intention to have
the letter published. Meantime Truette
admitted having been approached by
the attorneys for Taylor and that he
had given a statement denying in ad-
vance any knowledge Of such an ad-
mission by Taylor. And then TO COM
plete the tsngle, Truette admitted
frankly that many OF the assertions in
that statement were lies and that they
had been inspired by friendship for the
accused.
Judge Cabaniss. the attorneys for the
defense and the special prosecuting
attorneys scratched their heads at this
luncture and wondered where they
were At" Judge Cabaniss decided that
the loouacious statements made by
Truette dio not amount to anything,
EnC S&iC InaL ne was very muCn OlS-
pleased with the contradictory, evasive
and false character OF Truettes utter
ances in the matter.
Judge Cabaniss said that he would
look into the charges made by Truette
against Pacheco, and Attorney Coch-
rane volunteered his services in bring
ing about Pachecos punishment IL tan
Rible evidence was obtained to show
that Pacheco had been guilty Of sug-
gesting a hribe TO the witness.
we court the fullest investigs ton
in this matter as well as in the other
statements made by Taylor against
myself and brothers," said Attorney
Cochrane.
we are delighted" retorted Hiram
Johnson for the defense, that you
court the investigation. and you will
get ID in Marin County, where your
civil suit against the defendant is on
trial"
Some acrimonious exchanges passed
between the opposing attorneys, until
Judge Cabaniss. after reprimanding
Attorney Johnson. said that he would
deal severely with any attorney who
indulged in undiEnified pickering. The
case was then submitted.
Truette. whose evidence was so con-
Trajectory as TO be worse than worth
less and who made the damaging
declaration against Pacheco is q re-
tired liquor dealer in San Rafael hold
ing the Office OF Fish Commissioner as
well as Deputy Sheriff