The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-10-11
CROWDS BESlEGE COURT
ROOM AS M'NAMARA TRIAL
STARTS IN Los ANGELES
Labor Leaders Are Charged
With Destruction of News
paper Building Year Ago.
PRISONERS ARE CONFIDENT
Judge Bordwell, Who Is Presid-
ing, Is Strict Disciplinarian.
and Case Moves Rapidly.
PRISONERS ARE CONFIDENT

Los ANGELES, Cal. Oct H.
Enormous crowds besieged the court
room today at the formal opening of
the trial Of the McNamaras charged
with the destruction OF the Times
building, causing the death OF 21 per-
sons, on October 10, 1910. All en-
frances were guarded and only per-
sons with credentials were permitted
to enter.
The courtroom Is located on the
eighth floor OF the million-dollar Hall
OF Records and the room was mostly
occupied by newspaper reporters.
The Mcnamara brothers were
brought from the jail, handcuffed TO
deputies and guarded by city police
men,, They expressed confidence In
the outcome. Both men have changed
since their Incarceration, especially
James, who had lost his former hag-
gard appearance. His clothing was
carefully brushed and his linen immac-
ulate.
John, however, was the cynosure OF
ali eyes. He is heavily built, with his
long gray-tinged hair thrown back on
his forehead and his clear cut face
expressive Of the highest intelligence
He smiled and nodded at acquaint-
ances among the newspaper men, and
said:
II have gained fifteen pounds dur
ing my confinement and 1t does not
look as though am worrying much,
does itf'
Judge Walter Bordwell, presiding at
the trial, Is noted as strict disciplin-
arian and today the proceedings NOV
ed rapidly. AS soon as court opened
the roll OF the remaining "a members
OF the initial venire was called.
The defense then presented the az
fidayits supporting Its formal motion
for q change of judges. The affidav-
its were sworn to by both the Nc
Namara brothers and alleged bias and
prejudice on the part of Judge Bord-
well. The court listened intently,
especially to that part where II was
alleged that his action In trying to
force Attorney Harrington, OF counsel
for the defense, to reveal to the grand
Jury the lines OF the defense. was un-
and utterly Illegal
When the reading was. concluded,
the COuIL iuluCulaOcly 0Chh~A eAAC -
ton. The defense excepted to this
ruling and the first vital step by At
,torney Darrow had been taken. The
defense alleges that Bordwelrs action
In disregarding the affidavits OF prelu-
dice is certain ground for reversal IN
case OF conviction.
with this matter out Of the way,
the defense formally announced its
demand for separate trials for Jonn
and James Mcnamara. This right
was based on the California code,
which. however, gives the district at
tornev the right to elect which case
shall be tried first There was Driei
interruption while the attorneys oon-
ferred in an effort to determine wnicn
defendant should face the court nrst.
Neither the state nor defense ex'
nacts much from the yeniremen In
Court today, although II Is expected
that the attitude of the court would
he developed during. their examina-
ton as he is the sole referee OF ques-
t,ons Of prejudice and other cause.
AT the opening Of the trial, s AI.oI
new Darrow announced that ne woulu
aay,v raise the point whether mem
Sershiu in the Merchants and manu-
- cturers' association, Is cause LOT eh
nlnsion from the jury. He thought u
certain that this would precipita'e
hitter fight.