Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-01-23
RIVERA TAKES
STAND IN own
BEHALF TODAY
Guadalupe States Will
liams Made Hip Mo-
ton; Juan to Testify
This Afternoon

Guadalupe Rivera. charged with muir
der in connection with the death here
of Henley W. Williams on January 10,
took the stand in his own defense in
the habeas corpus hearing here this
morning before District Criminal Judge
A. W. Cunningham.
The state rested its case yesterday
morning, and the defense put witnesses
on the stand during the afternoon,
Mrs. H. W. Williams, widow of the de-
ceased, being the principal witness for
the defense.
Indications are that the hearing will
close some time this afternoon, and a
ruling will be given by Judge Cunning
ham as to whether he will allow the
men bail, and how much the bond will
be fixed at, if allowed.
Juan Rivera, charged jointly with
Guadalupe, is scheduled to go on the
stand this afternoon.
Guadalupe's testimony Of his employ
ment was substantially the same as
that of Mrs. Williams given in the ex-
amining trial here last week before
Justice of the Peace George B. Brown
He said Mrs. Williams told him that
Williams had killed Madrazo, whom
she said was innocent.
He further testified that he was not
able to go out to the house and remain
during Saturday and Sunday, but ex-
pected to go and remain after Monday.
leaving his brother, Juan, there in the
meantime. Guadalupe said when he
went back to visit Juan Sunday morn
ing, Juan had pistol, which he said
he had been given at the Williams
home. and told Guadalupe he was afraid
to stay because they had received in
formation that Williams was coming.
Guadalupe arrived about five minutes
before the killing, as he related 1t in
court this morning. He asked Mrs Will
liams where Juan was. She said in the
orchard As he went out to the orchard
he called to Juan for an orange I'M
mediately after he heard Mrs. Williams
call to him that Williams had come.
Guadalupe said he asked Juan for the
pistol, and Juan handed it to him over
the fence.
The witness said he then turned and
started toward the house, and he saw
Williams, kicking and shaking the door
He said he started toward Williams,
putting his pistol in his belt, for he
did not see gun on Williams.
When he was about 20 feet or more
from Williams the defendant said he
called. whats the matter?'
He testified that Williams then turn
ed and on seeing him said, "Oh, you
black Williams then turned again
to the door and started kicking it, the
witness testified.
Guadalupe said he drew nearer and
told Williams in Spanish that he was
guarding the house, and told Williams
to leave. He said that Williams faced
him again, cursed him again, and made
a motion as though to draw weapon.
Guadalupe then fired the first shot.
He said that about two minutes lapsed
before the second shot. He testified
that Williams still tried to get into
the house, and made another move as
though to draw a gun, when he shot
him again. Williams then fell, and
Guadalupe and Juan, who had come up,
went through the back door to tell Mrs.
Williams what had happened. She had
gone out of the house, although he
thought she was still in the house, and
the waited on the front porch until the
officers came.
Guadalupe underwent a grilling cross
examination for more than an hour He
testified that he was 81 years of age,
born in Mexico, and came here when he
was IL years old. Questioned as to
whether he had been in any Killings
across the river, the defendant said
that he had never been involved in any
killings across the river.
Questioned further about his past he
said he had been accused of burglary,
but never convicted
he further stated that Mrs. Williams
had told him that if Williams came UP
peacefully, with no apparent intention
to do HARM not to molest him. Mrs.
Williams told him that she would pay
court costs if there was any trouble,
provided Williams came to the house
with intent to do harm. Otherwise
she would be against Guadalupe, he
said she told him.
He said she told him to go to any
Continued on Page Four.)
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