White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1913-08-24
To INVESTIGATE
WITNESS CASES
BAR ASSOCIATION WILL INVESTT-
GATE CAUSE OF DISAPPEAR
ANCE OF TESTIMONY CALLED
FOR IN TRIAL CASES.

An unusual and sensational de-
velopment in connection with the
Zelich murder trial developed Friday,
when Judge Ben w. Coleman, spoke
in no uncertain tones in condemna-
tion of the alleged practice of caus-
ing the disappearance of witnesses
wanted in trial cases. The particular
incident or incidents that precipitat-
ed Judge Coleman's action and state
ments, was the absence of John and
Pete Zderioh, important witnesses in
the Zelich murder trial. Both were
subpoenaed and both left the dis
trict notwithstanding the orders
from the court. The judicial wrath
is aroused form the belief that the
disappearance of the witnesses has
been deliberately brought about and
that connivery and intimidation have
been employed to prevens the ap-
pearance of witnesses Oh certain oc-
casions.
In the particular instance of Joe
Zderick. 1t is known for a surety that
he was assisted to get out of the
district and that his wife followed
him the next day Through the
activity of the sheriff's Office. they
were followed and brought back to
Ely, and Zderich was before the
court Friday morning. where he testi-
fed that he had received two
Threatening letters and several verbal
threats that his life would be forfeit.
ed if he testified in court or repeated
his testimony given at the prelimi
nary hearing, in the Zelich murder
case. Judge Coleman said:
This practice of spiriting witness
es out of the country in criminal
cases has been entirely too frequent
and there are some very peculiar cir
cumstances surrounding 1t. 1t is
commonly talked that some particu-
lar person is back of tho spiriting of
these witnesses out of tie country.
1t is an infamous practice, damna-
Bile one, and one that has got to le
stopped. If it cannot be stopped in
any other way. the county will have
to go to the expense of employing
special detectives to run the matter
doan The entire influence of this
court in the interests of the best
citizens of the county will be used
to see that the practice is stopped.
and l want it known now, and I
want it to go out 10 these Austrians,
that so far as | am concerned. / shall
go the limit to see that it is stopped
and see that the guilty persons are
punished regardless of what that
punishment may be or who it may
reach"
That Judge Coleman is thorough
ly aroused in this matter and will
make good to go to the limit in prob
ing the matter to the bottom was evil
denced by his calling a meeting at
the court house, at o'clock, Friday
afternoon, of the members of the bar
association, for a discussion of the
best methods of procedure tnat will
result in permanently ending the
practice of tanlperlng with witnesses.
After a short discussion in the court
room with Judge Coleman the men,
bers of the association adjourned to
the judges chambers where there
was further consideration, and a COM
mittee of investigation was appoint
ed by President Chandler. to take
action in the matter. The committee
is compose of B l.. Quayle. char.
man; j M. Lockhart and G. F. Bore
man. The committee is thoroughly
in sympathy with the investigation.
and states that every effort will be
made to sift the matter thoroughly
and locate whoever may be guilty.
CacnDd prt1o SA