Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-09
GUILTY is
VERDICT OF
MESKH JURY
TRIAL OF SLAYER OF PATRICK
LYONS ENDS
ACCUSED MAN CREATES sENsA-
TON IN COURT
Prisoner Testlfies in Own Behalf and
Introduces New Name In Case,
Which the Prosecution
Says Is Myth

CONTINUED from Page One.l
he found himself on the porch of the
rooming house where he was staying.
Meskn then related the circumstances
surrounding his capture by Patrolman
Anthony Connolly, beginning his state
ment with charges of perjury, which
were Interrupted almost Immediately by
counsel on both sides.
u was arrested by Mr. Connolly on
Central avenue" he said and after nes-
itating a moment his face flushed and his
voice took on note of anger.
There is so much perjury going on
he began, when he was tod TO stop and
tell what happened
Meskll Tells of Capture
Connolly attracted my attention when
he looked at me more than at any one
else" continued Meskil. apparently angry
because he was not allowed to continue
his charges Of perjury. i paid no mere
attention to him and he went away. l
was watching the game Of checkers when
l felt some one going through my peck
cts or rubbing against me. | turned and
saw il was Connolly. He told me to come
on; that he wanted me. l got on my feet
and he grabbed me by the left arm and
hit me IN the left eye. AS / tried to pull
away my revolver fell to the door and
we both grabbed for 1t.
"a tussle took place and he hollered
for help. ! don't know who it was, but
man came and helped him. This was not
sufficient and others came. \ man with
some pool balls came and struck me and
1 became unconscious, and when awoke
Connolly was sitting on me with gun
so close to my face that when ! spoke
my lips moved the barrel
Meskil denied that he had at that time
said he was ne man who had shot Lyons,
but said he had passed a remark that II
others had not interfered Connolly
would have got his, meaning he would
have got good beating"
He declared he did not remember tell
ing Officers Rich and Roberts that he
had fired a shot at Fourteenth and Cen
trail avenue, but did not know whether it
had struck an officer.
Meskil was subjected to a severe cross
examination by District Attorney Fred
ericks, in which the attempted robbery of
the grocery and the accident following 1t
were again detailed, and he reiterated his
statement that his mind became a blank
after being thrown from the buggy. He
said he had read the headlines of news
paper stories regarding the killing of Ly-
OlSs anu Nlel dshNh why llS din AlOl ASiQ
the whole article, demanded bluutly,
why should IT,
Did Not Read Papers
"WeTI, why shouldn't you?' demanded
Mr.. Fredericks. and Meskil said the story
was of no interest to him
NIeskil said he brought the smaller of
the two revolvers with him to Los An
geles. He was employed at one time as
bodyguard for special agents of the Louis
Vile & Nashville railroad, he said, and
carried the weapon in the performance of
his duties. lie declared he had purchased
the large weapon because Rolla Robe
wanted it, but himself carried 1t ito run
bluff with" He declared that two
chambers of the revolver were not empty
when he went to his room the night of
the shooting.
The prosecution laid great stress on the
fact that Meskil had purchased box of
cartridges at a sporting goods store and
that al. the cartridges said to have been
in the box were accounted for except
two. Meskil, however, declared the box
contained but ten instead of twelve car
tridges when he purchased 1t.
Meskl's early life was delved into by
the district attorney. with the evident
object of proving that the prisoner had
at one time beer an inmate of state
iAStihANASAs NASHhAAs ArVWSNSAl PdtAiCN Ill
inquiries. apparently not understanding
the drift of the questions.
The witness said he remembered the
examination in Capt. Planners office at
which Robe was present, but paid no at
tention to what was said at that time by
Robe, stating he felt dizzy as a result of
his fall
did you see Jack Shields after the
night of the robbery?" asked Mr.. Fred
arfC nd iaA -
sir. There's his hat there. too; it was
brought In by Detective Roberts" The
hat was not placed in evidence.
Says Shields Resembles Him
Meskil said Shields resembled him some-I
what and that Shields carried a large
caliber revolver. which had been shown
him in his room.
Don't Jack Shields exist only in your
Imagination" demanded Mr.. Frederlcks.
do you know anyone in the world who
knows Jack Shields?"
mo, sir only Rolla Robe" said Mes
xii.
He said he did not know where Shields
roomed or boarded.
did you on November so take that
big revolver and murder p. IL. Lyons
with it-did you or did you not?" asked
the district attorney.
mo, sir; I never did" replied Meskil,
positively, and said he never had desire
of that kind. He also said he would take
an oath that he was not at the Grosser
winery on the night of the robbery, de-
claring the robbery was committed at
midnight, after he had gone to bed.
The defense rested at noon and a recess
was taken until . o'clock.
News that the tria, was nearing its
end spread during the recess and at q
o'clock a dou-e crowd filled the court
room and corridors. the largest gathering
that has assembled since the hearing be-
gan.
City Prosecuting attorney Z. ]. Fleming
opened the argument to the jury promptly
at the opening the afternoon session.
Mr.. Fleming said ne would not try to
arouse the passions of the jurors with
strong language, and after expressing ap-
probation of the manner in which Mr.
Smyser had conducted the defense, he
declared he could not understand what
the defendant meant when he said he did
not have legal defense. except that he
wanted his attorney to resort to Chi
conery.
Ridlcules Meskil's Testimony