Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-22
DEFENDANT
SOBS ALOUD
WITH GRIEF
BREAKS DOWN WHEN OLD
MEMORIES ARE AWAKENED
ONE WOMAN FAINTs IN CROWD
OF SPECTATORS
Witness In Trial of Woman Charged
with Murder Testifles Bennett
Said He Intended to
Marry Her

Twice during her trial yesterday, Mrs.
Estelle Corwell broke down and gave
way to grief, at one time sobbing aloud,
while witnesses were testifying con-
corning incidents in her life with George
7. Bennett, the man she is charged
with killing. On one of these occasions
the heart of the woman seemed to be
touched when the story of the home
surroundings of the couple, when they
lived together in apartments on Hill
street. was told, and she bowed her
head and, covering her ever-sorrowful
face, wept bitterly.
Again, when the incidents were re-
lated of an early morning automobile
ride to Santa Monica, which ended
when she lay by the roadside suffering
from a fracture of the lower limb, the
woman, evidently overcome by the
memory of the physical pain she had
undergone and the anguish of mind
she is said to have endured following
that incident, placed her head on her
mothers shoulder and allowed her emo
tions to have full sway.
AS on previous days of the trial, a
large crowd was on hand early in the
morning, but no person was allowed in
side the court room unless he or she
could find seat. All day long the cor
ridors Immediately outside the cham
Der were filled with those who hoped
to find an opportunity to enter, but the
rule prohibiting spectators from stand
ing was carried out.
Woman Fants in Crush
At 1870 o'clock in the afternoon, a
half hour before the time for the court
to begin it's late session, the crowd be-
came so dense that a number of the
women were almost overcome in the
crush, while one was carried in a faint
ing condition to the lower floor where
restoratives were administered. AS an
evidence of the morbid interest in the
trial, this woman was again in the
midst of the gathering within half an
hour, struggling in an effort to gain
\ aJmitti nee to the already filled court
room.
A large number of witnesses testi-
fed yesterday, but those whose testi-
mony excited the greatest amount OF
interest were Miss MAZE Bennett, at
whose home Bennett met his death,
and persons who told of the circum-
stances surrounding the automobile
ride in which Mrs. Corwell was in
jured.
Miss Maize Bennett was the first wit
ness of the day. AS she took the stand
her face gave evidence of the illness
which prevented her appearance In
was also laboring under apprehension
of a severe examination, which, how
ever. did not take place.
Miss Bennett said she did not remem-
her whether or not Mrs. Corwell on the
night Of tho shooting wore white hat,
hut thought she did not. She was ques-
toned closely concerning the rooms and
location of furniture and curtains In
the house on Figueroa street. and also
the position of the automobile on the
street IN front of the cottage.
Tells of Automobile Ride
She described the route taken by the
automobile early in the evening, when
Bennett, herself, Mr.. and Mrs. Hunt
end her sister. Nell Bennett accom-
panied Mrs. Bennett to the Santa F'a
depot, where she boarded a train with
one of Benefits children.
She said she did not see Mrs. Cor
well star ling at a corner and heard
nobody can, out to Bennett.
"Where ws>s Bennett residing at that
time. if you kn> W" asked Attorney APP
pei for the defeh, ,.
''I think he was living at hotel with
his father" said the witness
She, said Bennett had been living at
a hotel while his mother was In Los
Angeles and occupying his apartments
at the Hunt residence on TWelrtn
ways lived at the Hunt residence.
An objection was offered to the ques-
ton whether Miss Bennett and George
It. Bennett were together on the Friday
night preceding the shooting, but on the
statement of the defense that they hau
a. right to show Benefits Whereabouts
on that night on the ground that two
of fine prosecutions witnesses had testi-
fled he was with Mrs. Corwell, the wit
ness was allowed to answer. She said
she saw Bennett about 1880 o'clock that
night. but did not think he stayed very
late at her home, as she had company
The visitors, she said were her niece
and nephew and she believed Bennett
left the house not later than $3.50.
Knew Benefits Handwriting
Miss Bennett said she was familiar
with Benefits handwriting, ana
number of postal cards and letters were
shown her, which she identified as nav.
ing been written by Bennett. Many OF
these cards and letters were addressed
to Mrs. Corwell, 1928 South Hill street
and are said to have been worded III
terms of endearment.
A. ]. Meyers of Oakland, manager for
an electric company, was the next VIII
ness. He said he had known MRS. COR
well about seven years and that her
reputation for peace and quiet was
good.
In response to question by Deputy
District Attorney Blair, the witness
said he spent about two-thirds of his
time in Los Angeles and was we'll ac-
uuainted with Bennett, but had never
talked about Mrs. Corwelps general
reputation, as he had had no occasion
to do so.
The first evidence to uphold the con-
tention of the defense that Mrs. Cor
we'll was laboring under severe mental
stress was then introduced. A. Argu-
clio, policeman, was placed on the
stand and said he had seen the defend
ant and her cousin, Miss Emma Quiz
nones, on Broadway, between First and
Second streets.
Asked what was said at that time. the
witness testified that Mrs. Corwell
cried out:
"Officer. protect me- take care of me;
they are trying to kill mel"
st asked her who was trying to kill
her." said tho witness, land she re-
Piled, George, George Bennett"
81 told her I would have to take her
to the station" continued the witness,