Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-08
LAPIQUE CLEVERLY
DEFENDS HIMSELF
SsC0RNS SERVICES OF LAWYER,
! CONDUCTS OWN CASE
Tries to Obtain Continuance of Case
on Ground That He Was Ill,
but Is Compelled to
Proceed

Having more confidence in his own
I ability than that of any attorney who
, might be appointed by the court, John
Lapique, a shrewd and energetic per
son of the Latin race, is defending him
self IN Judge Jamison's court on a
charge of obtaining money by false pre-
lenses.
Not only does Lapique show a re-
markable knowledge of the technical
points of law. of which he has taken
all possible advantage, but he is keen
and alert and displays a familiarity of
court procedure seldom shown by the
ordinary layman. During his conf1ne-
ment In the county Jail he has devoted
his entire time in studying the law ap-
plicable to his case, and to this is at
tributed his knowledge of legal mat
ters.
I.apique is accused of having de-
frauded Baptiste Camgros of several
hundred dollars by representing him.
self as being agent for a certain piece
of property which he is alleged to
have sold to Camgros on the Install
ment plan.
= Upon appearing in court yesterday
informing, Lapique asked for con-
itinuance of one week on the grounds
THAT he was sick and unable to pro-
coed with the trial. Deputy District
Attorney Fleming told the court he
the defendant was physically able to
60 on with the case.
"NYell, you bring a physician into
court now to prove It," said Lapique.
Il do not want to wait until tomorrow.
then have him say am we'll"
Decides He lie Well
After a careful scrutiny of the at
torney-defendant the court denied the
motion for a continuance.
Lapique then presented motion to
auash the information against him.
This was denied. He then objected to
the Jury panel on the grounds that the
officers who summoned them were
biased and prejudiced against him;
that the jury had not been properly
brought into court and that they were
biased and prejudiced against him.
Much time was consumed by Laptque
in arguing the different points involved.
Sharp words passed between him and
Fleming and the attorney for the pros
ecution showed by the expression on
his face that he was anything but
pleased. When Fleming would object
TO certain matters gone into by Lapique
the latter would interrupt and try to
explain to the court what was intended
to be shown. On one OCCASION Fleming
said to the defendant:
"Since you quit practicing law there
are a few amendments to the code that
you are undoubtedly unfamiliar with"
To which Lapique quickly retorted:
Never mind; l will show you some
law before I get through"
Again after a number of objections
had been entered by the peoples rep
resentative Lapique exclaimed:
This is court of justice; why DO
you object so much?"
Lapiuue called to the stand Jack
Henry, bailiff and deputy sheriff, who
had served several of the Jurors last
January. BY the testimony of this
witness the defendant intended to show
that the officers who served the jurors
were biased and preJudtced against
him. The statement of the witness,
however, failed to bring about the oe-
sired result, as Henry was unable to
remember what jurymen he had served
or at what time, and did not know II
any had been excused, or If they had
been excused, who they were.
When Henry was excused Harry
Butterworth was called to the stand.
He was asked as to how many of the
Jurors in department one belonged in
other departments He stated he did
not know.
Butterworth was then asked If he
had list of the jurymen. He replied
in the affirmative. Lapique then asked
the court to have the list produced.
His request was granted, and Mr.. But
terworth left the witness stand, Sc
cured the list and gave 1t to the de-
PENDANT, who read the names carefully.
"How many names did you say there
were on this list?" he was asked.
"Twenty-nine," he replied.
Makes Mistake
Lapique then counted the names ana
said: "There are thirty names; l have
caught you" He counted the list a
second time and found twenty-nine and
acknowledged his mistake.
The defendant contended that the
court had a right to excuse the jury
men. but If the clerk, sheriff or deputy
sheriffs had done so the entire panel
was void. For the purpose of learning
if the officers had excused any jury
men, Sheriff dammel was called.
Sheriff Hamme1 testified he did not
remember how many jurors he served
and could only recollect the name of
one juror.
us it not fact that you and your
deputies are prejudiced and biased