Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-20
MOTHER OF
BENNETT IN
RATE MOOD
TRIES TO UPSET TABLE IN THE
COURTROOM
ANOTHER SENSATION ADDED TO
LONG SERIES
Attorneys for Defense and Prosecution
In Celebrated corwell Case
Argue Before Jury-Trial
Nearing Its End

Before what was probably the largest
gathering of spectators that has yet
been known at the trial of Mrs. Estelle
Corwell Attorney Horace H. Appel az
noon yesterday began his argument to
the Jury on behalf of the defendant.
When court adjourned until 10 o'clock
this morning but half of the statement
had been completed.
1t is expected Appel will close by noon
today, and that Frank Blair, deputy
district attorney in charge of the pros
ecution. will begin the closing argument
at Q O'Clock this afternoon, concluding
by Friday noon. From present indica-
lions the case should go to the jury
Friday afternoon.
The day ended with some excitement,
when Mrs. George w. Bennett, mother
of the man for whose death Mrs Cor
well is on trial, started from her seat
with the expressed purpose of over
turning the table near which Attorney
Appel stood, and on which were piled
transcripts of testimony, law books, let
tiers and photographs
This movement by Mrs. Bennett oc-
Cured while the attorney was ex-
hibiting to the jury photographs OF
Bennett's children, which are said to
have been taken from the rooms occu-
pied by himself and the defendant.
As the woman sprang forward, de-
claring she would throw the books AMI
papers to the floor, she was grasped by
the arm by woman sitting in an adj
Joining seat who has remained near
Mrs. Bennett during the proceedings in
court for almost two weeks expressly
for the purpose of preventing any out
break on her part.
Ridicules Auto Story
Attorney Wesley III. Beach, who, it is
said, was retained by the relatives of
George T. Bennett to represent them in
the proceedings, resumed his argument
to the jury at the opening of court yes
terday. He went fully into the testi-
mony on both sides, especially that
relating to the mental condition Of Mrs.
Corwell.
He ridiculed the contention of the
defense that the defendant leaped from
an automobile at Ocean Park in an
attempt to commit suicide, declaring
the only person to testify in support of
that contention was that most re-
markable witness, Miss Emma Qui-
nones," whose statements throughout,
he said, bristled with Inconsistencies.
Beach closed at noon and Appel be-
gan his argument at o'clock.
When the Afternoon session began not
vacant seat remained in the chamber,
and the rear of the court room was
banked by treble row of spectators.
Mrs. c.. c. WEIGH, mother of the de-
PENDANT, sat by her daughters side for
the first time in some days, having been
unable to attend court because of sick
ness Her husband, C. c. WEIGH of
Needles, sat near by, while Miss Qui-
nones and her sister, Miss Emma
Quinones, occupied seats on either side
of the defendant and her mother.
About ten feet away and sitting near
the jury sat George w. Bennett and his
wife, parents of the man whom Mrs.
Corwell is charged with numbering.
Appel began his argument by scoring
Attorney Beach, whom he described as
hired counsel.
ut is a most confounding circum-
stance he declared, that hired coun-
sci should come in here and establish
reputation at the expense of the life
or liberty of this woman. He has
undertaken to paint this woman as a
harlot before you. notwithstanding her
trials and sufferings for seven years"
Brought Out Only Part
He declared Beach had presented to
the jury but part of the testimony
brought out, hoping that the defense
would overlook his action.
Continuing, Appel said there must be
one of two verdicts. You must either
acquit this girl or you must hang her, -
he declared, passionately.
AS the death penalty was mentioned
Mrs. Welch, sitting beside the defen-
dant, burst into loud sobbing, while her
daughter wept in silence. 1t was sew
eral minutes before the argument could
he resumed.
He reviewed the evidence, beginning
at the time when Mrs. Corwell lived in
Arizona, without knowledge of the
allurements of city life, or it's dangers"
He told of her marriage to band
master. the birth of a child and her