Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-12
RALPH LEAVITT
TO FIGHT CASE
EXTRACTION PAPERS FOR
AUTO DEALER
CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER
IN SEATTLE
Surrenders to Chief Dishman and Is
Released on Bail When Habeas
Corpus Proceedings Are
Begun

Ralph j. LeaVitt, prominent auto
mobile dealer, VINO is wanted in Seat
tie, Wash, to answer to d technical
charge of mapslaughter, in that he was
in an automobile which ran over and
killed a street sweeper in the northern
city, July 10, 1908, surrendered him
self to Chief of Police Dishman late
yesterday afternoon when the latter
informed him the governor had hon
ored the requisition of the governor
of Washington and that warrant of
rendition had been isued. He was
taken to Judge Davis court where
habeas corpus proceedings were begun,
and was released under bonds of $500
for his appearance in the superior
court Saturday, when the hearing will
be held.
The case has been pending for more
than year, and it was only yesterday,
when the governor of California hon
ored the requisition papers, that any
particular attention was paid the mat
ter by Leavitt.
Under the laws of Washington, il
is said, if an automobile runs over and
kills a person each occupant of the
motor car is liable to prosecution OIL
a charge of manslaughter.
1t seems that while Leavitt and d
Seattle July 10, 1908, the chauffeur,
owen MacClusker, while driving at
an ordinary rate of speed, 1t is said,
ran over and killed a member of the
street cleaning department.
Leavitt Not Arrested
The accident was duly reported to
the authorities and the chauffeur was
placed upnder arrest. For some rea-
to-
He came back to Los Angeles, when
later it was learned a warrant had
been issued for his arrest on techni-
cal charge of manslaughter
Requisition papers were prepared and
taken to the governor of this state,
but, 1t is understood, the papers were
not honored. Later the matter was
brought up again and this time with
different results.
Yesterday morning Chief Dishman
received a message from w. M. Zim-
norman, state agent of Washington,
to the effect that the governor of Cali
fornia had honored the requisition
papers and that a warrant of rendition
had been issued. The message als0
stated that Zimmerman was on his
way to Los Angeles for Leavitt.
Immediately on receiving the mes
sage, Chief Dishman communicated
with Leavitt and informed him of the
matter. Leavitt's reply was to appear
at the central station at 4:45 o'clock
yesterday afternoon and surrender to
the chief.
Poses for Photographer
In the meantime habeas corpus pro-
ceedfngs were started and in company
with Chief Dishman, Leavitt entered
an automobile to be taken to Judge
Davis court.
will you allow us to snap you?"
asked a newspaper photographer of
Leavitt, as the latter was about to be
whirled away to court.
Surely" was the good natured re-
ply and he asked the chauffeur to walt
until the desired Snapshot could be
taken.
Judge Davis set the hearing for Sat-
urday and fixed the bonds at $780,
These were readily furnished and Leav-
lit was allowed his liberty.
'T will fight extradition through
habeas corpus proceedings" said Leav-
itt "If the court decides that 1 do
not have to return to Washington that
will settle the matter. On the other
hand, if I am required to go back I
will do so and fight the case.
81 fail to see where they have case
against me for the chauffeur, who
drove the auto, was discharged two
-