Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-04-18
TWO SENTENCED
TO THREE YEARS
STATES PRISON
Booilegger and Forger Each
Given Same Sentence in
Criminal District Court
Todayn

Pedro Reyna was sentenced To three
years in the state penitentiary shortly
before noon today. after the Jury had
deliberated for only few minutes An
selmo Ramos took the stand as a state
witness after the Indictment against
him had been dismissed. lie testified
that he had merely worked for Reyna.
who had been up on previous instances
in the federal court on similar charges.
and who has been convicted Of bootleg
ging charges
This makes the seventh penitcntiary
sentence which has been given during
the prerent special term Of court Only
eight cases have been tried. verdicis of
guilty being returned in all eases ex-
cept that Of Pesos in which the jury
could not agree. The two Mercado
brothers. Juan Salinas. Lorenzo Juan,
Augustin Reyes. Jack Martin and Pedro
Reyna all received penitentiary sentenc-
es Of from three years 10 life impris-
onment.
Jack Martin. charged with forgery. re-
ceived q three year sentence yesterday af
fernoon following short trial in which
the defendant relied on his own testi-
mony 10 free him of the charge.
Martin was charged with forging n
check for SID on Max Bobo ~
iarlingen in February of this year
District Attorney Milton H. West prose
cutcd the case. relying on the Testimony
of Mr.. Bobo and other HIarlingen Wit
Desses.
The jury was charged 10y Criminal Dis
trict Judge J. q. George yesterday after
noon M : o'clock. and after deiiberating
for less than half On hour. returned n
verdict Of guilty aud assessed the penalty
at three years.
Martin told the jury that he was an
over seas veteran and that he had been
n merhanic before aud after going into
the army. He came TO the Valley only
shortly before forging the check bur
did not say where he came here from
Following the disposal Of this case.
the flqnor ease of state " Pedro Resna
was brought up and a jury was en-
panelled yesterday afternoon. trial el the
ease starting this morning.
Pedro Reyna is one of the three al
legged bootlsggers who were surprised
In West Brownsville on Maih 81. with
ten gallons of mescal and several bottles
of teamila Anselmo Ramos was also ar
rested in competition with the affair. and
his trial follows that of Rcyna
Members of the sheriff. department
including Sheriff Sam Robertson. Depu-
ties kowalski. Cantu and Barnes. went
ont and arrested Ramos about noon
Later in the afternoon Barnes and
Lieutenant Of police Armstrong arrested
Eeyna. who was alleged to have run
uhen Ramos was arrested.
Deputy Sheriff Barnes and Lieutenant
of Police Armstrong testified ia the ease
If Reyna this morning boib stating that
the man had on wet and muddy shoes. ana
also that the bottoms 81 his trousers
were wet from running ia the grass and
mud. Judge III. l.. Yates defended
Reyna.
No cases were ready 20 Be tried ia
court this afternoon. and Judge George
dismissed the jury until tomorrow
morning at 9 o'clock. and court recess
ed until that time. The ease against An
tonic Gonzales, Ben:to RobuIlosa and
Simon Rocha charged with highway rob
berry. will be taken up in court tomorrow
morning.