Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-01-15
RIVAL TELLS
S7ORYOFH HER
LOVER'SDEATH
FIANCEE OF GEORGE T. BEN"
NETT ON STAND
INCIDENTS OF TRAGEDY TOLD IN
COURT
Jury Completed and Testimony Begun
in Trial of Spanish Woman
Charged with Killing
Lover

The same little group surrounding
the black clad figure of Mrs. Estelie
Corwell appeared in Judge Wilbur
court again yesterday to aid by their
presence and cheering words the pris-
oner on trial charged with the muir
der OF George T. Bennett on June y
last.
The work OF examining talesmen
was at once begun and by noon the
jury box. which Monday night con-
tained nine jurors, was filled. Inc
men selected yesterday were W. h
Bulls, p. II. Bulls and James T. Mat
thews, and Immediately following the
choosing of the last named a recess
was taken until 2 o'clock, when the
taking of testimony was begun, a few
minutes being taken up with the read
ing of the charge against the prisoner.
As this paper was read by the clerk
Mrs. Corwell sat with head bowed on
the black gloved hand, apparently deep
in thought. Her mother sat beside hes
with ono arm on the shoulders of her
daughter. while the tears that could
not be kept back welled up in her dark
eyes.
All witnesses were excluded from the
room with the exception of Thomas
zeigler, a detective, who was allowed
to remain on request of Deputy Dis
trict Attorney Frank Blair, and the
mother and sister of the prisoner, who
were allowed to stay In the court room
to comfort their unfortunate relative.
Miss Bennett on Stand
The first witness called was Miss
MAZE Bennett, the fiancee of George t.
Bennett, at whose home he was visiting
when he was killed. Miss Bennett as
she took the stand glanced quickly at
the prisoner and the latter slowly
lifted her eyes to her former rival for
the affections of the man, one with the
passion of her race, the other with a
fervor less demonstrativc but none the
less sincere.
Miss Bennett presented picture of
brightness ali she sat in the witness
chair. She was attired in q long wine
colored silk cloak, thrown open, reveal
Ing dainty embroidered waist and
soft checked skirt. The one sombre
color was her hat, but its dull appear
ance was relieved by the massive
plume, which rose above and fell grace
fully behind, hiding partially tho rich
blonde hair.
AS the witness began her testimony
the prisoner listened intently, her
broad frown contracting over the half
closed lids while a look of pain over
certain incidents that she could not
forget were related.
Miss Bennett said her home was al
700 North Figueroa street, and at the
time of the shooting brother and two
sisters were living with her. The wit
ness said she did not know Mrs. Cor
we'll, but had seen her twice, once G
year ago and again the night OF the
| shooting.
She related the incidents of the nigh
of July % calmly and with self-com
posture. On thai night she said she
was sitting on the porch OF her home
with Mrs Collins, a sister, her brother
John and another sister, Nell Bennett
George Bennett was there, she said
and shortly after his arrival hei
younger sister went into the house
with a little niece and nephew.
Mrs. corweII Appears
"As we sat there" she said, "a car
rage drove by and stopped. Twc
women alighted and came down the
street, walking rapidly. They had al
| most passed when one turned TOWARD
the house. the other walking on. The
former asked if George Bennett was
there and Mrs. Collins said No
1.-THE woman said: Don't lie to me
he is and Mrs. Collins said, He's moi
| the one you want
"Then Mrs. Corwell said. George
come here; do you hear me? Come
here
George asked her what she wanted
and Mrs. Corwell drew revolver from
her arm and said: Do you see this?
II told him to go and see what she
| wanted and he started down the steps
/ got up and started into the house
saying good by to George.
Mrs. Corwell said: Yes, MAZE, fol
| you will never see him again
Just as / got into the house hearc
the first shot fired. All of uS were IL
| the house at that time"
Sees Shots Fired
Miss Bennett said she ran for the
porch and saw two shots fired. Ben
nett's hands were thrown up and he
| fell backward. AS the last shot was
fred, tho witness said, Mrs. Corwel
| ran diagonally across the car track
| and she ran to the spot where Bennett
was lying. One arm was thrown out
| on the ground, the other lay across
| the body.
The witness said her brother and
herself carried the body to the house
where they were compelled to drop ii
owing to the weight. Two persons
passing helped them to carry Bennett
into the house, where he died few
SECONDS later.
Miss Bennett was subjected to g
severe cross examination by Horace
Appel, attorney for Mrs. Corwell. 4
| large diagram was placed before the
witness and every detail of the Incl
| dents which occurred on the night OF
tho killing was gone into while the
| locations of places and persons con
nected with the affair were pointed ou
| by the witness.
| Miss Bennett was still on the stand
| when Court adjourned for the daY o.