Amador ledger., 1909-03-12
THE TRIAL OF
JACKSON DENNIS.
On Bank EmbezzIement Case.

The trial of Jackson Dennis, on a
charge of embezzJing from the Sutter
Greek State Bank the sum of $500,
was commenced in the superior court
on Monday morning. A venire of 70
jurors was called from which to select
the jury. 1t was at first reported that
Hiram Johnson, the weII-known attor-
ney of San Francisco, was engaged to
conduct the case for the defendant.
This announcement, however, prove d
premature. Mr. johnson did not ap-
pear, and the defendants attorneys
we're Homer w. Wood of San Fran
cisco, and X. 9. Bole of jackson.
District attorney Vicini was alone on
the side of the prosecution.
1t was anticipated owing to the
wide publicity of the bank failure,
and so many persons interested there
in, the selection of jury would
prove long and tedious task. But
the twelve impartial jurors we're Sc
cured by the adjournment of court
on Tuesday afternoon Three per-
emptoIy challenges were used by the
prosecution, and six by the defense.
Only two or three were excused for
cause. Upon the completion of the
jury panel at half past four tuesday,
the court adjourned until Wednesday
morning. The following named per-
sons comprise the jury James
Mushett, Johu Going, q. W. Smith,
Joseph Dufrene, j. ID. Carpenter, W.
Ii. Vela, Cnas. Boro, j. q. Clifton,
o. W. Rinehart. e. j. Dieold, S.
Bloom and j. ii. Woolford.
On Wednesday morning the taking
of testimony was commenced. After
showing the incorporation of the
bank and the election of Jackson
Dennis as preside ent on July l9, 1906,
Ey the introduction of the articles OF
Incorporation aud the entry in the
minute book,
Fred Rabb was called. He testified
that on the 10th of July, 1906, he
signed note for $500, made out In
favor of defendant, in accordance
with a previous arrangement. De,
tendant' came to him a day or so be-
fore, and wanted him to take fl I've
shares of stock in the Sutter Creek
State Bank He told him he did not
want to buy stock; that he had no
money for that purpose. He was told
that he didn't have to pay the money,
that he could give note, and il he
was not satisfied at the expiration of
three months he could give back the
stock and take back the note. On that
understanding he signed the note,
and that the interest for three months
was credited on the note. There
was no money passed in this trans
action: but he received a certificate
of five shares of stock from defendant.
Toward the close of 1907, he requested
Dennis to take the stock back, and
surrender the note; that IL was draw
ing interest. Defendant replied that
he need not trou BILE himself about
interest, as he would see that no In.
terest was charged up against him !;
that it was time of financial
stringency, and he had been una BILE
to place stock, but when the banks
re-opeued he would be able to give
back the note. On January 20, 1a08,
he had another talk. In which he said
he had given back the stock to the
cashier, F. Dabovich, and the note
was returned to him. There was no
money passed at any time in con-
nection with the transaction.
Peter Dabovich. the cashier, was
then recalled and testified sub
stantially that the note forS500 signed
by Fred kabb WAS placed in the
bank as an asset by defendant, on
July ", 1906. AS cashier he put the
bank stamp on the back of the note.
1t was Endorsed by jackson Dennis
The counter cash book of the bank
was shown to witness and recognized.
After considerable sparring the wit
ness was permitted to testify in re-
gard to an entry made July %, 1906.
lie made the entry at defendants
direction. On the %, the note was
handed in as loan, and the amount
placed to credit of defendants person
al account. There was nothing to
show that the book was the cash book
of bank. Name of Sutter Creek State
Bank did not appear anywhere upon
1T. Finally tho entry in cash book
was admitted in evidence. 1t read,