San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23
DENIES
BLAME FOR
SHOOTING
Sorry for Dead Man But
Declares He Leaped in
Bullets Path.
BY International News Service


EAST LAS VEGAS, n. NJ, Aug. 90.
Suffering from two broken ribs. a
swollen jaw and numerous bruises, Carl
c. Magce, newspaper editor and for
several years center of n bitter politi-
cal feud in New Mexico, left for his
home in Albuquerque early this even
ing with the inquest into his fatal
shooting of John B. Lassiter. Santa
Fe, still under way at the city hall
here.
Without waiting for coroner's jury
verdict, a charge of first degree muir
der was filed against Magee earlier in
the day. He was placed under $4,000
bonds, which was furnished by local
business men, and his preliminary
hearing set for next Wednesday.
SHOT IN THROAT.
The Staying Of Lassiter occurred in
the lobby of local hteI last night,
when Magee attempted to shoot for
mer District Judge David L. Leahy,
with whom the editor had been in
fierce political controversy for several
years.
Leahy's arm was shattered by a bull
let from Magee's revolver, and LASH
ter, jumping in between the jurist and
the editor, was shot in the throat, d.
ing soon afterward from hemorrhage.
Magee himself gave probably the
most graphic version of the shooting,
which he termed a terrible acct
dent"
MAKES STATEMENT.
In statement to International
News Service today, Magee declared:
Il am hesrtbroken over the killing
of Lassiter, but my conscience is abb
solutely clear. Leahy, who is extreme
ly powerful physically, has been
threatening me for months. / have,
therefore, carried a small % calibei
Colt when in Las Vegas.
Il was sitting on a diyan in the
lobby of my hotel about o'clock Fri
day night, being interviewed by a wom-
an reporter regarding a meeting of
the board of directors Of the state
insane asylum, of which / am a mem
Der. ] saw Leahy come into the lobby
and walk down the aisle toward me.
/ kept my eye upon him until he
passed but did not speak to him or
rise.
STRUCK ON JAW.
AFTER passing me he whirled and
hit me on the jaw, dropping me to
the floor. / was dazed. Leahy kicked
me several times, breaking two ribs.
The Colt dropped from my pocket onto
the floor. seized it with my left
hand and fired at Leahy. As l shot.
Lassiter jumped TO grab Le1hy and
was hit. AS Lassiter fell Leahy rush
ed me viciously. l was still on the
floor. / shot twice, breaking Leahy's
left arm above the elbow.
Il am nursing two broken ribs and
a swollen jaw.
Il have instructed my attorneys to
demand my arrest, a grand jury in.
dictment and a jury trial at once.
want this thing cleared up definitely.
finally and legally. / am guilty Of
no fault. 1t was a terrible accident.
CLIMAXES FEUD.
The tragedy in the little hotel lobby
cliDaxed a career Of political fight
ing in New Mexico on the part of
Magee and his enemies that covered
a period Of three years. Always in the
thick Of political battles, the Albu-
querque editor had made many enc.
mics, Judge Leahy probably being the
most bitter.
The jurist had sentenced Magee to
prison term fer contempt Of court
two years ago as the result Of ar.
ticles published in an Albuquerque
newspaper. Magee was pardoned By
former Governor Hinkle before reach
ing the state penitentiary.