San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-22
GRAND JURY
TOLD ABOUT.
LATEST LAWS
Judge McCrory Also Sug.
gests That They Investi-
gate Barton's Charges.
SAY BAILIFFS DERELICT
Court Suggests That Wide
Publicity May Be Cause
for Some Skipping.

Suggestion that the Ninety-eourth
District Court grand jury investigate
charges that certain grand jury bail
ifs have been derelict in summoning
witnesses, was made by Judge w. w.
McCrory Wednesday morning. lie had
the grand jurors brought into the
court room for this purpose. At the
same time Judge McCrory called the
attention of the grand jury to certain
new laws which went into effect on
August IA, and suggested that they
take cognizance of them.
Judge McCrory told the grand jurors
that 1.-THE town is full of .rumors" UNI
til 1--WE don't know what to believe"
There have been insinuations, he said
that some bailiffs have been derelict
in their duty.
IF any are found who have been
negligent" Judge McCrory said. 81
want you to report to this court or
take whatever action you may see fit.
1t isn't fair. to all the men that one
or two should bring this insinuation
against them"
Have Had Some Trouble.
Judge McCrory emphasized the
necessity. however, of the grand jury
having specific charges before it and
| warned the men to use the same pre-
caution as if they were investigating
case wherein an indictment might
be returned.
IL am not surprised" Judge Nc
| CrOry said. "that some of the wit
nesses wanted are out of pocket This
investigation has been given wide pub
licity and ii has been easy for them
to skip Since these witnesses are
no longer accomplices. but are placed
in the position of turning states evil
dence. it is only natural that thAy
should not want TO testify"
ID. ]. Woodward. foreman of the
| grand jury. in reply to Judge Nc
Crory's remarks. said that the grand
jury has had "some disappointment in
not having witnesses appear" Warn
ing has been issued to the head bailiff
T Mr.. Woodward said. that any neglect
of duty on the part of the bailiffs will
result in their discharge. One man. he
said. is reported to have been serving
at an election Tuesday without per-
mission of the grand jury and this
case will he investigated. Mr.. Wood
ward stated that the grand jury VIII
perform all Of its, duties as if sees
them. 's tf' owe ~ - -
Tell Of New Laws.
Judge McCrory in his talk. called
the attention of the grand jurors TO
three special laws which have become
effective since they were impaneled.
One. he said. makes il a felony for q
person under the influence of liquor
to drive an automobile. where an .ac-
cident occurs. Under the old law neeli-
gent homicide was the charge. He
cited the case of three soldiers recent
" who ran over man on South
Presa street.
"Soldiers. reckless chauffeurs and
jitney drivers" Judge McCrory said
could be curbed under the provision Of
this new law. He also pointed out that
the Bell amendment TO the prohibition
law. makes the possession Of more
than one quart Of liquor prima facie
evidence of intent to sell or manufac-
ture. =.
He also pointed out that where a
place of gambling or vice has been
raided habitually" the district at
tOrney may get ont an Injunction and
the courts can abate the place as a
nuisance. II doesn't matter. Judge
McCrorv said. whether the state can
prove that the proprietor of the place
knew for what purpose it was being
used.