Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-01-09
GUILTY is
VERDICT OF
MESKH JURY
TRIAL OF SLAYER OF PATRICK
LYONS ENDS
ACCUSED MAN CREATES sENsA,
TIoN IN COURT
Prisoner Testifies in Own Behalf and
Introduces New Name In Case,
Which the Prosecution
Says Is Myth

I'VE the jury, find the defendant guilty
of murder in the first degree"
A hush fell on the great crowd of men
and women thronging Judge B. N. Smiths
department of the superior court yester"
day afternoon as w. G. Benedict, fore
man of the jury which for almost three
days has been listening to the evidence
in the trial of Daniel f. Meskl, charged
with the killing of Patrick H. Lyons on
November 30 last, read the verdict which
will in all probability send the convicted
man to the gallows.
The last day of the trial occupied prac-
tically the entire session of the court and
was filled with sensational events, the
defendant himself taking the witness
stand In his own defense and later inter-
rupting an impassioned argument of the
district attorney with an accusation
against the veracity of a. Witness an in
terruption which coming at a time when
the feelings Of every person in the room
were wrought to the highest pitch almost
caused a stampede among the crowd
gathered or the north side of the cham
her.
new name was introduced in the tes-
timony yesterday, when Meskil. under
examination, declared he and Robe were
accompanied on the night of the Killing
of Patrolr:an Lyons by man named
Jack Shields This man, the prosecution
declared, is a myth the creature of Mes
kills imagination, brought into being dur
ing the long hours spent in his lonely
cell at the county jail
Meskil Says Mind Was Blank
AS predicted Meskll also declared he
lost Consciousness at the time of the ac-
cdent on Central avenue, when himself
and companion were thrown from buggy
in which they were fleeing after the
failure II hold up a grocery. His mind.
he said, became blank at that time, and
he remembered nothing more until he
reached the rooming house at which he
was. staying at sixth and Wall streets.
Another parsonage, who is also claimed
hY the prosecution to be non-existent
being, was introduced into MeskifS s teS-
timony in connection with this accident,
and it was while testifying concerning
this man that Meskl made a claim that
he was not receiving just treatment In
his trial
Meskil said that while suffering from
the effects of the accident on Central
avenue he was assisted to his, rooming
house by a stranger.
'.Who was he?" asked Mr.. Fredericks.
"Thats what I'd like to know; I'd like
to have him sAbpoenaed" the prisoner de-
clared, his voice taking on a note of in
jury I'm not a legal defendant and
can't subpoena witnesses" he continued.
"a statement which greatly puzzled the
attorneys.
For half an hour before the opening of
court Meskil and his attorney. S. NJ.
Smyser, were closeted in Judge Smith
chambers in earnest consultation, and it
could be seen that the prisoner was
laboring under great strain. AS he en-
tered the court room he assumed the
same cool demeanor which has marked
him while in public since the afternoon of
his arrest.
Courtroom Again Crowded
The courtroom and corridors were filled
with curious crowd when the trial
began. Arthur Grosser, proprietor OF the
winery which was held up just before
Patrolman Lyons was killed was called
to testify regarding the relative heights
of Robe and his companion. He said the
man wearing the mask was the shorter OF
the two.
A ull in the proceedings occurred al
this time, Mr.. Smyser stating that he
was awaiting the arrival of a valise said
to he the property of Meskl. During the
interval of twelve minutes Meskil and
his counsel consulted earnestly together.
and when the vaise was brought in by
Detective A. w. Rich the prisoner was
heard to protest thai it was not what he
wanted.
"I mean the stuff they got which be-
longs to me; 1 want to get it here" he
declared In rough voice, apparently
controlling his anger with some difficulty
Permission was given Mr.. Smyser to
consult with Meskil In the judges cham
bers, and the attorney and his client re-
turned within two minutes.
Daniel f. Meskil," called Mr.. Smyser.
and the prisoner arose slowly from his
seat and walked to the witness chair.
His face was pale and wore a look of de-
termination.
Meskil said he was 20 years old and
was born in South Chicago. His father
he said, died seven years ago. leaving a
widow and nine children, most of whom
now live in Lincoln, Neb. He learned the
trade of a machinist in Stonington, Conn.
he said, about six years ago. and came
to Los Angeles about the first of Novem-
ber. He met Rolla Robe in pool room
at Sixth and Main streets, and in an
swer to the question as to the date of
the meeting said it was "about week
before this awful crime was committed"
"Jaek Shields Enters Case
The name of Jack Shields was then
placed in evidence for the first time
Did you form the acquaintance of
Jack Shields? asked Mr.. Smyser.
Yes; / met him about the first of No
vember in the same place." replied the
witness.
Shields, he said. was a little shorter
than himself, was heavily built and had
a smooth, full face.
Meskil said he met Robe and Shields
on the afternoon of November 80 and
after playing pool they went to Central
avenue, where they tried to rob a grocery
Shields remaining in the buggy holding
the horse while his companions were en-
deavoring to enter the store. The store,
he said, was closed and they could not
get in. When they returned to the rig
Shields took seat in the back part of
the buggy, while MeslIil and Robe occu-
pied the seat, Robe driving.
Meskil then told of the accident in which
they We're thrown from the buggy. and
said he remembered nothing more until
(COntInued ON pnge twol