The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1913-06-03
EsO[A
PROMISED AID If
MATE KEPT MUM
Woman Testifies Accused
Detective Gave Her Money
and Pledged to Work for
Husbands Parole

Celia Gallo. wife OF Michael Gallo
the bunko man.. was the star witness
for the prosecution yesterday in the
EsoIa graft trial in Judge Dunnes
imperturbable and possessed of more
poise than Gallo himself
Her testimony, though in places con-
licting with tha. which she gave be-
fore the grand jury, Judge Lawlor
and the police commission, was but
little shaken by grilIing cross exami-
nation. The woman is, from q law
yer's standpoint, a good witness. She
refused to allow herself to become ex-
cited or confused, never tried to ex-
plain her answers or quality them and
replied categorically and briefly to the
questions.
The main part of her testimony, as
had been expected. was that Esola
came to her after Gallo had been sem
fenced to San Quentin. and instructed
her to let her husband know that, il
he would keep quiet and say nothing
as to his former connection with graft
ing detectives. he would be paroIed
within a year and that In the mean
time Mrs. Gallo and her two children
would be taken care OF by Esola and
his associates.
Attorney O'Conner, for the defense.
tried vigorously to break down her tes-
timony by confronting her with tran
scripts of the evidence she gave pre-
viously-twice before the grand jury.
once before the police commission and
once in Judge Lawlor;s court when
Gallo applied for parole. But though
she admitted in each instance that she
had given the evidence shown her. she
insisted that dier statements. on direct
examination lin the present case were
absolutely correct.
One Of the witnesses upon whom the
prosecution was depending, Deputy
Sheriff John Zuinasso. driver of the
sherinfs van that took Gallo to the
county jail, failed to be all that had
been expected OF him. He had, 1t
seemed. suddenly become afflicted with
serious douplS as 10 the accuracy OF
statements he had made and subscribed
to earlier in the day In the district at
torney's office
INTIMATES WITNESS WAS .SEEN,
Rather unexpectedly, judging from
the apparent Indignation OF Deputy
District Attorney Brennan, Zuinasso
became uncertain as to whether he had
seen Detective Esola climb upon the
wheel of the van and talk to Gallo, and
even when confronted with his own
statement signed less than 80 minutes
before lie remained doubtful.
Whom have you talked to since /
saw you last?' Brennan flung at him
The attorneys for the defense objected
promptly and insisted that Brennan be
not permitted to insult the witness.
The feature Of the morning session
was an emphatic. vigorous and wrath
full refutation by Deputy District At
torney Brennan Of an imputation by
Attorney Barrett that the prosecution
is not sincere in this trial, but is try
ing to convict Esola and at the same
time protect higher ups in the police
department.
Brennan sprang from his chair.
I'VE are not trying to protect any
body" he shouted, and we are not try
ing to break down the discipline of the
police department. We intend to stand
by all decent police officers; we intend
to stand by the chief Of the police de-
partment, by the police commission,
by the defenders OF law and order
But we will not stand by the crooks
and thugs"
Then Attorney Barrett took occasion
to lay the lash upon Gallo, under
whose taunts OF the previous sessions
he was still smarting.
I'VE WILL" he said heatedly, bring
in every police officer on that detail
and let them testify against the testi-
mony OF that man on the stand there,
whose word is no good, anyway Mr.
Brennans statement comes with i'll
grace from him. Such proceedings as
these are running police discipline
PERJURY IN PAROLE HEARING
At another stage of the morning
proceedings Attorney Barrett fatty
charged Gallo, who was still on the
witness stand with having, by his own
confession, committed perjury in Judge
Lawlors court at the time he was an
applicant for re1ease on probation, and.
urged that the Judge should instruct
the district attorneys ONCE to take
prompt action to punish the witness.
you have admitted here" said Bar
rett to the witness. TO having turned
only seven tricks. Yet you told Judge
Lawlor that you had turned only two
or three. Why didn't you tell him OF
all the tricks you had turnedr'
why. / couldn't incriminate my
self. said Gallo. Il had to protect
myself
This. contend" Barrett vociferated
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