San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-22
BYSTANDER DIES
WHEN MAGEE
USES GUN
Blame Political Enmity in
Fight Between Editor
and Ex-jurist.
BY the Associated Press.


22.-Political enmity between Carl q.
Magee, Albuquerque newspaper editor,
and Daniel J. Leahy, former district
judge in Las Vegas, left death in the
wake of a rough and tumble fight last
night in which Magee drew revolver
and fired, killing bystander, John
B. Lassater, and wounding Leahy in
the arm.
Leahy, witnesses said. attacked Ma
gee on seeing him in the hotel lobby
The editor had been pummeled TO
the floor by the ex-jurist when he
whipped out his gun and the first shot
snuffed out Lessater's life as he moved
to separate the fighters, those who
saw the encounter said.
Magee was permitted to remain at
his hotel after the battle but Assist
ant District Attorney T. V. Truder
announced that he would be charged
with granddaughter il a coroner's jury,
to be convened today, holds him re-
sponsible for the death.
LassNter was an employe of the
state highway department.
MAGEE SORRY.
II regret more than anything this
terrible occurrence and am grief
stricken over it." Magee told newspa-
permen after the fight.
He received bruises about the face
and body and Leahy's upper left arm
was shattered by the second bullet.
The fight and shooting closes an
other chapter in the high tension
career of Magee.
T. TuI, L.
of libel by jury in Judge Leahy's
court in connection with the publica-
ton OF editorial attacks on Chief
Justice J. W. Parker of the New Mex
leo supreme court.
Sentenced to prison by Leahy, he
was pardoned by the then Governor
James F. Hinkle before being taken to
the penitentiary.
A year later he was hailed into court
by Leahy for editorially criticising the
court while other charges in connec-
ton with the libel case were pend
ing.
SERVES ONE DAY.
TAis time it was a contempt case.
Leahy held him in contempt and
sentenced him to three months inn
pTisOnment.
In pronouncing sentence Judge
Leahy termed Magee a miscreant in
the strongest of judicial terms,
He served one day and one night in
Jail, Hinkle pardoned him again.
While imprisoned, he is said 20
have smuggled "copy" to his news
paper maintaining the attacks on
Leahy.
Magee is credited with having aid
ed in starting the investigation lead
ing to the discovery of the little black
satChe" of Teapot Dome fame.
Early in January, 1924, he was a
mittee and told the Investigators of
rumors he had heard about 100000
in a suitcase running around in New
Mexico"
The committee later developed evil
dence that the 100000 was from f.
j.. Doheny and was sent TO Albert B.
Fall, then secretary of the interior
and negotiatOr of the Teapot Dome
and Elk Hills naval oil leases, to
Doheny and Harry F. Sinclair.
VERSATILE POLITICIAN.
Magee bought the Albuquerque
and in 1924, gave evidence to the oil
committee regarding Falls financial
condition.
He declared he had been approached
with "Doheny money" when he had
offered to sell the journal.
The contempt case was the last
flareup of consequence between Magee
and Leahy until last night, but last
fall he waged sizzling campaign
against the jurist, who lost in his
tight for reelection to the bench.
In five years of activity in the Dos
litical arena of New Mexico, Mages
had been Republican, Democratic and
independent.
He deserted the Republicans in
1920, declaring the organization to be
corrupt.
In 1921 he turned back to the Re-
publlcans and ran against a close per-
Sonal friend for office, but 1922 found
him again on the Democratic side.
Last fall he was candidate I'm the
primaries for the Democratic nomina-
ton for United States senator.
MAGEE A LEADER.
Ever since his first clash with
Leahy, Magee has been leader among
| the conservative element, while the
former jurist always has championed
| the liberals.
While open hostility has not been
manifested between the two since the
contempt case, the editor has nevsR
ceased his attacks on his political emo
mics and his newspaper is noted for
| leaving nothing unsaid in his fight.
HAWAII FLIGHT START