Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-11
Mcnamara Brothers Face Jury
at Los Angeles.
CHARGED WITH DYNAMITING
Destruction of Newspaper Plant,
Causing Nineteen Deaths.
ATTORNEYS TO ASK SEVERANCE
Government Elects to First Try
James B. McNamara-Traged
Of Year Ago.

LOS ANGELES, Cal, October II. -
James B. Mcnamara, the younger broth
er of John J. MCNAMARA secretary of the
International Association of Bridge and
Structural Iron Workers, will be tried first
for the murder Of nineteen men in the ex-
plosion of the Los Angeles Times year
ago.
This announcement was made before
the opening of court today by District At
torney John D. Fredericks, who declared
that should the defense exercise its privi-
lege of having the brothers separated, he
had elected to begin by placing James b.
McNamara first in the prisoners bar.
The case was called at 1O:46 am.
At 10 o'clock both John j. Mcnamara
and his brother, James B., entered the
courtroom with Clarence Darrow, their
chief counsel Both men were smiling
and each shook hands with many attor-
neys at the bar The prisoners were
without handouts. They had been hand
cuffed when they left the Jail and during
the walk across the street. through to
the court into the hall of records.
Scores of photographers took snapshots,
but few other persons gathered to see
the men. They were accompanied py
Jailer George Gallagher and an assistant
| ifs
Court Late in Opening.
Court convened at 1915 o'clock, having
been delayed in opening by the arrange
ment of seats. District Attorney Freder-
icks and Clarence s. Darrow greeted each
other and began allotting seats for as
sistants along the tables facing Judge
| Bordwell.
Judge BordweI first received the ex-
cuses of several veniremen whom he
had instructed to return today; The
| courts first action was as anticipated,
| the denying of the motion by counsel
| for the defense for a change Of venue.
| judge Bordwel declared that he was
| not prejudiced in the case.
The fight of the state Of California to
hold James B. and John j. McNamara
| responsible for the death of the nine
teen men who were killed in the ex-
plosion in the Los Angeles Times plant
| October 1, 1910, has begun
| A severance of the case against the
| McNamaras, both Of whom were in
| dicted five months ago on twenty-one
| counts for murder, has been the an
nounced desire Of the defense, and the
| prosecution awaited the formal request
| in court today to that effect before dis
| closing which Of the two brothers it
| had elected to try first.
| Neither of the brothers knew when they
| awakened today which the prosecution
would summon first. Since April 26 they
have been confined in Jail, but both reit-
Grated today that they We're ready.
| Matter of Indifference.
"Of course, we are ready" said John
J. Mcnamara, as he pushed his fingers
through thick locks Of gray hair. IT
does not matter who is tried first"
Counsel for both sides admit that thu
examination of witnesses and the taking
| of evidence will not be approached for
some time. For today, therefore, little
| was anticipated beside the preliminary
motions and perfunctory examination of
| the jurymen.
OF the venire of 125 men summoned
| Monday, forty-seven names still remain
ed. but it was considered not improbable
| another venire, and possibly third,
would be required from which to make a
| final selection.
The trial is in progress on the eighth
floor of the newly completed hall of rec
ords.