Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-08

goods store, and Robe stood outside
while Meskil went in and secured re-
volver which he had purchased the day
before, paying S. ION 1t. The two then
went to a saloon and drank several times.
From the saloon they went to Meskil's
room.
''They had a valse in the room and
into this they placed some clothing"
said the captain. "They then went down
Central avenue, between Eighth and
Ninth streets. They went into a barn.
where they donned overalls. jumpers and
caps, according to Robe and placed their
coats and hats in the valise. They tried
to rob a grocery store nearby, but
failed"
Escape in Wagon
Robe stated, said the witness. that he
and Meskil then leaped into a delivery
wagon and drove along Central avenue
for some distance.
While crossing a car track the wagon
was overturned and both men were
thrown to the street, Robe declaring he
lost his revolver at the time. They then
went to the Groseer winery, which was
help up.
Robe declared he lost trace of Meskil
when they reached the corner, following
the shooting of Lyons.
Regarding Meskil, Captain Auble said
the accused man stated they had made
a '1izzle" of the holdup at the grocery,
detailed the ride down Central avenue,
and accident and remembered nothing
after that until he found himself at his
rooming house at Sixth and Wall streets.
Detective Roberts was the last witness
of the day. telling of the finding of the
suitcase said TO have been lost by Mes
xii and Robe at the time of the accident
on Central avenue.
District Attorney Fredericks announced
that the people rested at 2:50 o'clock
and Attorney Smyser asked permission
of the court to consult with the defendant
alone. The court announced a recess of
five minutes and Mr.. Smyser, accompan-
led by Meskil and two bailiffs, went into
the chambers of Judge Smith. where
consultation. later Joined In by District
Attorney Fredricks and City Prosecutor
Fleming, wac held.
AS the prisoner returned to the court
room it was noticed that he was laboring
under great stress. and he watched in
tenly the attorneys for both sides as they
made their way to Judge Smiths desk
and consulted the court in low tones
AS a result of the conference 1t is
stated that Meslzil will take the witness
stand in his own behalf at the opening
of court this morning. What the nature
of his statement will be u.s. of course,
problematical but 1t is probable he will
follow out the line of defense he had
mapped out In his own mind some time
ago, when he stated his mind became
blank following the accident on Central
avenue.
recess was taken until 10 o'clock
this morning. 1t is probable the case will
go to the jury before noon and verdict
may be rendered before the usual hour
for adjournment, o'clock.
1t is seldom a trial has excited so much
interest locally as that of the alleged
slayer of l'atrolman Lyons, and the dis
patch with which it has been carried on
Is matter for great deal of favorable
comment The killing of Lyons occurred
on the night of November So and few
hours later Rolla Robe said to have
been with Meskil that night, was cap
tured.
Meskil was arrested three days later. |
and both men We're arraigned in police |
court within the twenty-four hours fol-
lowing. They were bound over to the |
court. and through the efforts |
OF District Attorney Fredricks, the trial |
Of one of the defendants was set for the |
first day that could be spared on a well |
filled calendar. The trial of Rolla Robe
will begin on Thursday, and in this trial |
Mr.. Fredricks will be assisted, as he |
has been In the Meskil case, by City
Prosecutor Fleming