Arizona republican., 1920-11-27
BLOWS STRUCK IN. HOME OF CHECKS
 NEIGHBORS TELL
Preliminary Examination Of
 Victor And Belle Check,
 Charged With Murder Of Father, T. J. Check, Starts

Telling of blows which they said they heard struck in the Check apartment and of harsh words used by the son and daughter r-in law, neighbors and former neighbors of MT. and Mrs Vic tor Check testified yesterday at the first day of their preliminary exami- nation on the charge of murder in con- nection with the death of Thomas J. Check, father of Victor Check, who died on Nov. 13.
 Long before the hearing started in the courtroom of Charles be Sales wheeler the room was crowded to it's capacity with witnesses and spec tators. All exhibited great interest in tbe case and it's outcome. But five witnesses were examined during the day. all for the state. Prior to the taking of the testimony both sides agreed to try both the charge against Victor Check and the charge against Belle Check at the same time. Two complaints were filed, one against each of the Checks charging them sepa- rately with murder in connection with the death of their father. The wit nesses for the state were called and those present were sworn in and ex, ciuded from the courtroom.
 Witness Paints
 The defendants were represented by Attasrneys A. Henderson Stockton, Charles Ward, Edward Rooney of To- peka, Kan. and Dr. Win Wylie. The prosecution is being conducted by l.. M. Laney, county attorney. and R. E. T.. Shepherd, cour sy attorney elect, whom Mir. Laney has asked as his associate in the case. In the event that the Checks are bound over to the su- perior court, MT. Shepherd will con duct the prosecution and will be pre- t~. ah.. mko kr.fn ona
 During the afternoon session Mrs Thomas F. Nicolls, after two hours or the stand, became exhausted and was excused before the defense had fin ished their cross-examination- Mrs Nicolls tainted in the ante-room of the court and was removed to her home The defense will finish their cross. examination later.
 The state opened its case with the testimony of Dr. l.. ID. Dameron. whe said that he had been called to th' R Check apartment at s4s North F1ftf avenue on the night of Nov. 1S to at. tend T. J. Check Dr. Dameron saiS MT. Check was dead when he arrived Victor and Belle Check, he said, re fused to believe that he was and in sisted that he do something for tn man. Death he said, was very recent because the body of the man was stil warm. There was a slight abrasion he said. on one of the hands and bruise in the corner of the left eye There were some plasters, he said, ol the back of the hands.
 Tells of Death
 Dr. Dameron said the Checks toi' him that with their father they ha' started on a ride earlier in the evening - They drove up town. he said. The. told him where Victor Check left tn car and Mrs. Check continued on to tn home of Mrs. Minnie Wolf in tn northeast. part of the city. There, tn doctor said, Mrs. Check told him he father slipped down onto the floor c tho car with a gurgling sound in hi throaG Dr. Dameron said he though he had been called by Victor Chec shortly after they had brought the father back to their apartment. ID Dameron said he would not venture a opinion as to what caused death.
 He said he lived in the same bloc on North Fifth avenue as the Checl and frequently saw Victor and h father walking in front of his hom The elder Check he said. would ls behind and dragged his feet, and the Victor would urge him to step u The bruise in the left eye of MT. Chec he said, was caused, the Checks to him, when the father collided wi
 
 said he noticed no other bruises on Il body.
 Thomas F. Nicolls was the next wi ness and said he lived over the apar nent of tho Checks at S4S North Eff avenue. At this point, Attorney Wa objected to the testimony of N Nicolls unless 1t was shown that T. Check had died by criminal mear MT. Laney spid that death did not ha to be shown by one stroke but could shown that it occurred by a seri of assaults which hastened death. T court overrufed the objection and \ Nicolls continued.
 Neighbor Testifies
 About the middle of September, Nlcolls said. he was awakened by To voices in the apartment of the Checl
 ss% was unable to understand wi vsas said, Mir. Nicolls testified, becar