Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-05-27
SEVERE CROSS-EXAMINATI0N FAILS
TO SHAKE M'COMAS' TESTIMONY
SLAYER OF MRS. MOVES STEADFASTLY ADHERES TO STORY
TOLD MONDAY ON WITNESS STAND
Murder Trial May Be in Hands of Jury TodayPosecutng Aor
ney Unable Pierce Defendants Armor and Proceedings
Are Deemed Victory for Defense.

steadfastly adhering to the story he
told on the preceding day of the killing
OF Mrs. Charlotte Moves. for whose
murder he is being tried. w. p. Nc
Comas, clubman and mining engineer,
yesterday was subjected to a searching
cross-examination and came through
the ordeal unscathed.
McComas answered the questions of
Assistant District Attorney Fleming
carefully, weighing each word, appar-
emily, and not once did he allow him.
self to become confused. The spectacu-
lar and dramatic elements that thrilled
the spectators at Mondays session or
the trial were absent yesterday. Flem-
ing conducted the cross-examinatfon
skillfully and thoroughly, but the Wit
ness was q match for him, and with
studied carefulness replied to each
query.
It is probable the case will go to the
jury today, as Attorney Earl Rogers,
for the defense, announced yesterday
afternoon his witnesses today would
occupy the time of the court for but a
short time.
Regardless Of the fact that the morn
ing session was taken up with the
ross-examination of McComas, and
that not the slightest flaw was found
in his testimony. the prosecution called
him to the stand at the opening of the
afternoon session.
Lacks Dramatic Element
There was less congestion in the COR
ridors of the court house at this ses-
sion than at any other since the trial
began. This was partly due to,the fact
that many had expected dramatic
scene when McComas was subjected to
to-, Hnsfs
that the manner of Assistant District
Attorney Fleming lacked anything
dramatic or stacy. Attorney Fleming
was slow and exceedingly careful In his
questioning of McComas. At no time
did he shake the testimony of the wit
ness, however. His cross-examination
differed from that used by the defense
in that he jumped from different perl
DDS and dates, attempting to embassies
and confuse the witness.
The answers of McComas were DELHI
crate. He studied each question, and
many times asked the stenographer to
repeat the query. If he was not abso-
lutely sure of his answer he would pre-
fix 1t with Approximately" In re-
peating conversation he would say:
1T can only give the substance of It,"
Resuming the examination at the at
ternoon session. Attorney Fleming
loway's house on the night of the trag-
edy whom did you see there?"
"I saw Mrs. Galloway, Mrs. Merritt
and Mrs. Fells," answered McComas.
Ibid you know Mr.. Galloway"
Eyes. SIR"
did you ever see him there"
mo"
did you ever see Mrs. Galloway and
Mr.. Galloway together in Los Angeles ?"
"Not in Los Angeles. No"
Here the prosecutor shifted his ques-
tioning.
ss1s Did Nothing to Gun
"Mr. McComas, did you do anything
to that gun on the night of the tragedy
before the officers arrived?"
mo, sir"
Did, you examine 1t?"
aDid you extract any cartridges?"
a.No"
was the gun loaded In your pocket
before you used it?"
Yves, SIR"
AT the time Mrs. Noyes disappeared
from your sight from her position be-
hind the desk what were you doing?"
81 was standing up"
"Where?" A..
Here" Indicating on the chart).
How long did you stand there?"
Approximately half minute"
when you say you saw assaying
done in the mines did you see sui
phuric acid used?'
81 saw others use it. yes"
you saw the effect of the acid upon
the elements 1t came In contact with
In the mines. did you? That is. the
gold and silver or zinc 1t came In con-
tact WITH"
II did; yes"
"You say your sight is impaired. Is
that so?'
Eyes" III
"And your hearing, is th.-t impaired.
too?"
Yes"
"How about your sense Of smell?"
THAT is good"
"At the time of the shooting did you
smell any acid?"
mo, SIR"
'You have smelled acid, though, in
your mining work, haven't your
ooh, sometimes. l presume"
'Yet you smelled no odor on the night
of the shooting or acid?'
mo Or If did it made no impress
sion upon me-"
when were you aware that you had
been burned by acid?"
when got to the receiving hos
pital."
what! Not before?"
mo, SIR
Didn't you tell the officers that you