Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-10-11
THE NJ NAMARAS
PLACED On TRIAL.
Large Crowds Seek Entrance to
Court Room-.-Synopsis of
Case.

Los Angeles, CAL, Oct. 1.-THE
trial OF the McNaffiaras, charged in
an indictments with the murder of the
81 persons who lost their lives when
the Los Angeles Times building was de.
stroyed by an explosion one year ago
opened here today in special court
room in the hall of justice before Su-
pericr Judge Walter Bordwell. Fol
lowing the trial of James B. McNam-
ara his brother John J. Mcnamara,
secretary OF the Bridge and Structural
Iron Workers OF America, will face 4
jury on the same charge, it being al
legged that he paid for and instigated
the blowing up OF the Times.
The actual trial will not start until 4
Jury is selected which will take at least
a week il not more.
On the night of October l, 1910, an
explosion turned the Los Angeles Times
building into an inferno OF twisted steel
and flame. Ink was scattered for hall
block, windows in buildings across
the street were shattered by the con-
cussion. Inside of 4 minute the entire
building was seething mass OF flames.
Caught like rats, the employees fought
blindIy to get out. Some succeeded,
2I died. Half dozen fell one by one
through an open place in the floor and
their bodies we're burned to crisp.
Others plunged blindly through the
roaring flames and through open win
dows TO death on the sidewalk below.
Others clung to the window slls,
1rieking for the life nets until the
flames burned their fingers to the
bone and they went plunglng to death,
while hundreds OF spectators groaned
and watched the doomed men. They
we're powerless 10 help.
The prosecution willtry to prove that
John Mcnamara engineered and lnstl-
gated, and James Mcnamara actually
caused the Times disaster.
Enormous crowds besieged the court
room. All entrances we're guarded and
only those with credentials were per-
mitted to enter.
The Mcnamara brothers were
brought from Jail. handcuffed to deput-
les and guarded by city policemen.
They expressed confidence in the out
come.
Judge Walter Bordwell, presiding at
the trial, is noted as 4 strict disclpll
merriam, aud today the proceedings
moved rapidly. As soon rs court
opened, the roll of the remaining 54
members OF the venire was called.
The defense then presented the attl-
dayits supporting its formal motion for
a change OF judges. The affidayits were
sworn to by both Mcnamara brothers,
and alleged bias and prejudice on the
part OF Judge Bordwell. The court
listened intentIy, especially to that part
where it was alleged that his action IN
irving to force Attorney Harrington,
OF counsel for the defense, to reveal to
the grand jury the lines OF the defense,
was unprecedented aud utterly illegal.
When the reading was concluded, the
court Immediately denied the mo-
ton.
With this matter out Of the way, The
defense formally announced its demand
for separate trials for John and James
Mcnamara, The California cede,
however, gives the district attorney the
right to elect which case shall be tried
first. There was brief interruption
while the attorneys conferred to deter
mine which defendant should face the
court first.
Neither the state nor defense expects
much from the yen;remen in court to.
day, although it is expected that the
attitude OF the court would be develop
ed during their examination, as the
court is the sole referee OF questions of
prejudice and other causes.
Los Angeles, Oct. 1l.-James Nc
Namara will be tried first.