Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-05-16
TESTIMONY WRECKS
FAITH IN HUSBAND
WOMAN MORTIFIED BY DIS
CLOSURES
Well Known Singer Withdraws SUPP
port When Proof of Mans Ac-
lions Is Shown in JUS
tIce Court

1t took the jury in department OF
the superior court yesterday afternoon
only five minutes to find w. L. Cum
ningham. alias William O'Neil, guilty
of embezzlement for selling mare, a
colt and two mules belonging to I. A.
Ashbridge and entrusted to his care
while Ashbridge was away He Will De
sentenced by Judge w. P. James Tues
day morning at 10 o'clock.
Patiently sitting just behind the ac-
cused man during the morning session
Norman, a we'll known singer and
pianiste. There was little doubt TO
those who watched her that she had
absolute faith in the innocence or her
young husband.
She was dressed in white brocaded
silk cloak, with white dress and boa OF
ostrich feathers, and when the morning
session began there was ngnt IN ne'
eyes that seemed to defy the rrosecu-
ton to do it's worst. Evidently she
trusted her husband still.
AS the evidence accumulated, showing
the accused man not only was guilty
but that he had denied his name, ms
marriage and his wife to the police, the
look of hopefulness gave place TO one OK
distrust and then one of horror.
Still she was composed, although,
when the defense announced that 1t
would put on no evidence, she eagerly
pleaded with her husband to take the
stand and tell the truth. The attorney
shook his head and so did her husband.
and Deputy District Attorney Paul j,
Mccormick began his address to the
Jury. He handled Cunningham without
gloves. AS his arguments began to
tighten more closely about the prisoner
and the crime several times Mrs. Cum
ningham broke in and made, exclama-
lions in German, unintelltgable to the
jury or to the speaker.
Severely Arraigns Man
At last Mccormick declared: This
man. was not satisfied with embezzle-
ment on a retail scale. Had he been
given opportunity have no doubt thar,
in the absence of his employer. he
would have sold all of his stock and his
corral. and he might have aspired even
to get away with Ashbridge's home and
with his wife" =.
"He wouldn't. She's too homely,"
shouted Mrs. Cunningham, wrought up
to the last pitch of nervousness. Cum
ningham went over and sat down be-
side his wife, endeavoring to take her
hand and comfort her. With look OF
disgust. she thrust his hand from her
arm and turned away. Evidently the
morning session had been dtsilluslon-
ment.
Word had come to the district attor-
news office, and from there to the
Judge, that Cunningham was planning
to jump his bail if he saw no chance for
acouittal. At the noon recess Judge
James quietly ordered that the specta-
tors leave the courtroom. Mrs. Cum
bingham left with the rest and for
time was hysterical in the hallway. she
was quieted finally and left the court
house. Then Judge James ordered that
Cunningham be taken to the county
Jail in custody of the sheriff and kept
there. This was done.
At the afternoon session Mrs. Cum
ningham was not present. She did not
hear the verdict of the jury pronounc-
ing her husband guilty. Her actions OF
the morning Indicated that faith that
had overcome many battles in the past
was shattered at last.
This Is not Cunningham's first fric-
ton with the law. He served five years
in Elmyra, N. Y, reformatory for for
gerry.