Los Angeles herald., 1910-05-17
HIST! THIS PAPER,
TWILL SAVE MUH!
lack Sheridan Actor, Fails to
Move Judge with Eloquent
Plea for Justice
RUDE WALL0P FROM COURT
Wakes Up and Finds He Is John
S. Donovan, Charged with
EmbezzIing
RUDE WALLoP FROM COURT

Evidently believing in the Shakes
pearean expression that "all the
worlds a stage" John S. Donovan,
alias Jack Sheridan, the actor who
sometimes plays a part when the
stricken mother" walls for the hero
to "s-s-s-save m-u-h che-e-e-i-l-d,"
yesterday undertook to save himself in
Judge Davis court with his most
dramatic appeal to justice"
Donovan is held for embezzling $2100
from Mrs. S. A. Brooks, a wealthy
tourist who has been stopping at the
Alexandria hotel. Efforts to secure his
release on writs of habeas corpus and
legal technicalities having failed, he
endeavored to have his trial postponed
yesterday for two months on the
ground that a much-required witness
on behalf of himself had departed to
unknown corners of the world and II
would be an injustice to him If this
witness was not produced.
MRS. BROOKS THERE
Mrs. S. A. Brooks got up from a
sick bed to become q witness for the
prosecution and begged that her de-
position might be taken so that she
could leave the state as she had
planned and that delay would impose
a hardship upon her.
The attorney for the defendant in
formed the court that he felt very
deeply about asking delay in the
trial under the circumstances and that
his heart went Aout in sympathy to
Mrs. Brooks. Strange to say, this
statement did not affect the court to
any noticeable extent and his appllca-
ton for a delay was denied.
The attorney made an impassloneo
appeal and introduced an affidavit as
10 the existenceSof the witness wanted
for Donovan. The latter listened IN
tently In some admiration for the elo-
ouent flow OF language, and those III
court had no idea what was to follow
in the afternoon when the case was
set for trial
ENTER JACK SHERIDAN"
About o'clock entered one "JacR
Sheridan" from the wings" conduct
ed by Sheriff Hammel. With most Inn
posing stride he advanced with out
stretched hand, as though "stilling tne
madding crowds applause: ana n1s
impressive manner TOOK the Wlhu
ont of the most mpressive-look1ng at
torneys IN the room. 81.
"I want to make a statement to TINS
court" said "Jack Sheridan" Il make
a. plea for Justice in this court OF law
which represents the pee-pul in these
here United States. l ask tnat thlS
here court of justice allow me 70 post
none nv trial until l can get this VII
ness and here Is my affidavit, and ne
pulled out an affidavit of his own tnat @
he had made "all by himself TO tne
discontinue of his attorney, VINO ap-
peared spell-bound by the proceoure
II want ,s 1,,age
Are you an attorney" asked Juose
ShnTi6An.
mo. your honor" replied cS acH
Sheridan" as he waved his hana 1
5artI,s FOR silence. so that he might
Continue that eloquent plea for Jus,
tica" which he had evidently prepared
In the s'wings." 'T appeal
RUDE AWAKENING
"Then sit down." said Judge Davis
Then "Jack Sheridan" awoke and
hecame John s. Donovan again, OF
trial for the embezzlement OF $21oV
from one Mrs. Brooks.
Denutv District Attorney Nortn
STAMPED all attempt at delay by saying
10 r,o,,ld admit the evidence OF the
Donovan witness, who is claimed 70
hova seen Donovan and Mrs. Brooks
iaavine the hotel in friendly manner
Following the time Of the alleged en-
NO save time" said North, I'VE Will
admit that they left the hotel as thougn
friendly and, your honor, ! am reauS
to 90 ahead with the trial.
The afternoon was spent securing
inv for the trial, which Is expected 10
consume several days.