Imperial Valley press., 1920-05-13
DEATH MOOSE
F AGED BY
PART|N'S
SLAYER
Chain of Evidence Forged
by State Seems Unbreak-
able; Evidence of Defense
Directly Contradicted.

Pale, gaunt. nervous and cease
lessly twirling his thumbs, having
the bearing of man who has given
up all hope, Fred Lake, accused of
the murder of ]. A. Partin. sat in
his chair in department one of the
Superior Court this afternoon. His
face was lined with constant worry,
the dreadful uncertainty of life or
death made SO apparent to him dur
ing the trial Of the past week had
left him today broken man.
With seemingly unbreakable
chain of evidence built up by the
state, and with the testimony of Mrs.
Jessie Myers given this morning in
direct contradition to the story told
by Lake yesterday relative to his
position on the sidewalk when the
shooting occurred, these facts, all of
them. unwaveringly pointed but one
way, and that-toward San Quentin
and the hangman's moose.
LAKE MAY HANG
This, in measure, is perhaps des-
criptive of the very feeling with which
the atmosphere of the crowded court
room seemed to be charged, Fred Lake
would hang.
The morning session of the court
was consumed by the testimony of the
last few witnesses with the exception
of three or four customs officials from
border stations. who were introduced
by the state this afternoon as charac-
ter witnesses for Partin.
In behalf of the people Deputy Dis
trict Attorney Chas. 4. Scott will be-
gin the argument for the prosecution
this afternoon. 1t is under
stood that the death penalty will be
demanded.
o. V. Wilson will argue for the de-
tense and will ask for an acquittal on
the grounds that Lake shot in self
protection. The defense attorneys
will endeavor to show that this request
is justified by reason of the numerous
threats which Partin is said to have
made against the life of Lake and by
the testimony of several witnesses
who were intimately acquainted with
both Partin and Lake.
THREATS MADE
Included among these witnesses was
one Pippinger, prospector Of Yuma,
Ariz., who testified that he overheard
Partin threaten to kill Lake some
time during last October when the
latter refused to lend Partin SIS. An
other witness. J. p. Lorden, a rancher
of Yuma valley, testified that he was
compelled to carry shot gun to and
from his ranch during the time that
Partin was employed by him on the
ranch, after Partin told him he was
going to get him.
John Syrenson. also a rancher of
the Yuma valley testified that Partin
had beaten him when he was on the
ground and had also struck his wife,
woman nearly so years of age, all of
which the defense will claim is posi-
tive proof of the quarrelsome nature
of Partin.
FUED OF MONTHS
Ill feeling between the two men be-
gan early last fall, when Partin is said
to have laughed at a story told by
Lake to the effect that he had COW
which had jumped barbed wire fence
shortly before the time the COW was
due to calf. Then later when Partin
was refused a loan of SIS by Lake
Partin is said to have become so en-
ragged over the affair that he threat
ened to kill Lake on sight.
Itlwas at this time that Lake is said
to have been warned by his friends to
look out for Partin. as he was said
to be dangerous man. Months went
by, yet the feud between the two men
is alleged to have grown more bitter,
until the dawn of that fatal day early
last February when the shooting oc-
Cured.
Whether or not Lake was justified,
well-tbat will probably be determined
by the jury some time tonight.