Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-08
BANKER ON STAND GIVES GRAPHIC
HISTORY OF PLOT TO BLACKMAIL
INSANITY WILL BE DEFENSE
OF ACCUSED YOUTH
MOTHER OF DEFENDANT GIVES
TESTIMONY
Attempt to Prove That the Act Was
Committed After Illness Had
Made the Young Man
irresponsible

Roland r. Ritchie, charged with at
tempting to extort $4,000 from William
L. Graves. vice president of the Mer-
chants National bank in April, was
placed on trial before jury in Judge
Willis court yesterday. Admitting that
his client had sent the letters contain
ing the threats against Graves life,
Attorney Norman ]. Sterry announced
that the defense would contend Ritchle
was in a condition of mind bordering
on insanity at the time and could not
realize the seriousness of his offense.
Ritchie was arrested April 20 by De-
tectives Ritch and Roberds in the Of
fees of the Los Angeles Land com
pany, 1872 Pacific Electric building,
where he was employed as clerk, and
following his preliminary examination
in the police court was released on
bail secured through the efforts of his
The Jury was selected within an
hour after the opening of court yes
terday and Mr.. Graves was called to
the stand as the first witness going
into details concerning the receipt of
the letters and warnings, his own work
in connection with the matter, and his
suspicious of Ritchie, which caused the
latter's arrest.
First ~. 1ing Letter
The first let 9r, Mr.. Graves said, was
received by him through the mails
April Z, warning him that he would pe
killed at the end of ten days but con-
tanning no demand for money. The
writer stated that the banker had in
jured him in his business and that his
only purpose was to be revenged.
Daily letters containing further
threats and big-lettered warnings that
his death was approaching We're re-
ceived by Mr. Graves until April TO-
when he received the first demand for
money, in the following communlca-
ton:
Il have a proposition to submit to
YOU. 1t is immaterial to me whether
or not you accept it, but by doing so
You will save two lives from hell
yours and myself. You are to take
$4,000 in fives, tens and tWenties tied
in as small a package as possible and
get in your carriage or automobile ana
go to the northeast corner Of Th1rtletn
and Arlington streets by yourself. On
the corner you will find new house,
that is for sale and open. The number
of the house is 2277. Go in and on
the mantel in the living room there Is
a for sale sign. Place the package be-
hind this sign and leave Immediately.
You are to arrive at the house at b
O'Clock tomorrow evening. Friday, the
Now $4,000 is a mere bagatelle to you
and fortune to me. You can very
easily do this and not miss it any more
than 1 would SO. I am not asking for
10000 or any such sum as that, but
Just the amount of damage you have
done me.
Threatens Death
Remember, now, do as told and you
will save two lives from hell. In case
the money is not placed as directed
you will be killed. Do not place any
decoy package or you will be sorry
Now, do as you are told, and 1 will
not carry out my threat. Otherwise
you will die, and I will follow you"
The letter was unsigned and was
written on a typewriter. Two days pre-
ceding its receipt Mr.. Graves received
a piece of cloth about two feet long
with the word warning" printed in
large type, while the envelope in which
this reminder was inclosed also con-
tained a cartridge, which the sender
described as Sample of the bullet
that will go crashing through your
head"
April 16, Mr.. Graves received the fol-
lowing letter, together with duplicate
of the warning banner:
Remember this day you are to place