San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-08
JUDGE WALLS
RESIGNS IN
LAREDO CASE
Denies His Resignation Has
Any Connection With
Trial.
KHAN A STRONG ISSUE
Public Sentiment, However,
Favors the Four Men
Indicted. 1
TRIAL IS EXCITING
Witness Says Ex-sheriff
Fired After Enemy Tried
to Draw Gun.

LAREDO, Tex, Jan. S.-Resignation of
John A. Walls, for 20 years district at
torneiy of the Forty-ninth Judicial Dis
trict, and who is prosecuting the case
against former Sheriff Frank Robinson,
of Nueces county, Joe Acebo, Lee Pet
eel and Cleve Golf. for the Killing of
Fred Roberts at Corpus Christi last
October, reached Governor Neff Nom
day morning.
The district attorney. though he de-
clined TO comment ON the matter sun
day night, admitted shortly after noon
Monday that his resignation. effective
as soon as the governor will accept Il,
is in Governor Neffs hands by now.
The district attorney denied that his
resignation had anything TO do with the
murder case now on trial. asserting
that he had announced his intention of
resigning his office shortly after be
was elected last November. He was
first elected in 1902, X. L. Bobbitt,
member of the State Legislature from
this district, it is understood, will have
the endorsement of the Webb county
executive committee for the appoint
ment.
Reports i'm Laredo are to the effect
that the resignation was due to pres
sure brought TO bear on the attorney
to go easy" on the prosecution of the
case, to which pressure Walls declined
TO yield.
Judge Walls is a prominent Cath
Ollie, while Fred Roberts, the muir
dered man, was a member Of the klan,
and that issue, it is believed, was the
reason for his death. His membership
in this organization has been admitted
by state witnesses.
Frank Robinson, former sheriff of
Nueces, and the men charged with the
murder of Roberts, have the benefit of
public opinion in this section, because
the khan has very little following here.
Heard Shots Fired.
That shots were heard from the side
door of the Warren grocery store before
Former Sheriff Frank Robinson fired
on Fred Roberts, was the testimony
given by a number of witnesses for the
defense Monday morning in the trial OF
Robinson, Joe Acebo, Lee Petzel and
Cleve Golf, charged jointly with the
murder of Roberts at Corpus Christi
last October.
Several witnesses also testified that
Robinson had extended his hand as if
to shake hands with Roberts and that
Roberts moved his right hand toward
his left side, Robinson, witnesses testi-
fled. then jumped back and fired.
Herman Ordner, the first defense wit
ness this morning testified that he bad
stopped at n drug store TO get a drink.
He saw Sheriff Robinson approach a
car. The sheriff he said. threw out his
hand as If to shake hands with the
man in the car.
The man in the car. he said. threw
his hand I'M TO his left breast ~as il TO
draw gun Just then, shooting start
ed in the store. Robinson then jumped
back, pulled his own gun and fired
three shots. The witness said he then
saw a man run out of the store.
On croSs-examinatiOn by the judge he
said he heard two or three shots fired
from the store before Robinson fired.
He admitted that he saw no man or gun
in the store, only smoke.
~Did you see Roberts with any
weapon in his handg7 Judge Mathis
asked witness. ~No.r he replied. Ord
ner testified that he hadn't seen the
other three defendants at the scene Of
the killing.
Heard Shots From Store.
Arturo Iemos, the second witness
testified that he was about in the cen
ter OF the drug store across from the
Warren store when he heard shots from
the grocery store az the back door. lie
turned and saw Roberts in an automo-
bile. He then saw Sheriff Robinson
jump back. draw his sGn and fire. Wit
ness testified that. Ss Robinson step
ned back. he saw Roberts lift his righe
hand toward his left side.
He saw none Of the three other Do
fendants at the n,ompnt bat saw Joe
Aeebo AZ the corner ten minutes latee,
be said.
Tomas L0zano. who was sitting In hia
car in front of 4 meat market arrcna