Imperial Valley press., 1928-10-19
DECLARE
THOMAS
Gull 7 Y
Jury COnvicts Imperial
Pioneer of Violating
Alien Land Law.
DEFER SENTENCE
Penalty Calls For Jail,
Prison Term or Fine of
$4,000.

l.. j. Thomas, Imperial pioneer,
was found guilty by jury in Judge
4. c. Finney's court last night on
q charge of conspiracy 10 violate
the alien land law. The court con-
tinucd the case until tomorrow morn
ing for sentence but it is expected
that at that time defense counsel
will enter motion for new trial, ,
staving immediate action of the
court ON sentence.
The penalty provided is imprison-
ment in the county Jail or state
pcntcntiary for term not to eX-
cccd two years, or a fine of not
more than $1,000 or both. Thomas
is at present free under bond of
$1,000.
II. Bshen Singh, codefendant in
the ease, pleaded guilty to the
charge prior to the trial of Thomas
and has asked probation. His ease
was brought before the court this
morning and continued to tomorrow
morning for hearing.
Both men were indicted by the
1927 grand jury on the charge. {.
y. Doolittle was also indicted but
died before the case was brought
into court for trial.
Singh appeared as the principal
witness for the state in the case
against Thomas. The prosecution
Wrought out that a man named
buartc had signed the leases to the
.Doolittle property for Singh at the
instigation of Thomas but that Singh
actually carried out the terms of
the lease for Duarte.
1t further brought out testimony
TO the effect that Thomas books
showed that Singh was recognized as
in possession of the land through the
division of funds raised in dispOsing
Of crops from the property. Singh
is not eligible to become a citizen Of
prosecution held. the deal was Il vio-
lation of the alien land law.
The defense contendcd that Singh
was never in possession of the
property and that the division of
funds was made with Singh as an
employee. 1t further brought out
testimony to the effect that Singh
had declared he would spend two
years in San Quentin if he could
send Thomas there for ten.
Deliberate Three Hours
4 strong argument for aequittal
was given before the jury by Attor-
rcy Utley of the defense yesterday
morning but District Attorney Hcald
was equally as strong in his plea
for conviction. The verdict was re-
turned after deliberation of approx
imately three hours by the jurors.
District Attorney Head said this
morning that he had overheard in
fcrcnccs to the effect that Singh
had been promised lcnicncy if he
turned states evidence against
Thomas.
'Singh was promised nothing Of
the sort - Hcald declared. Gle
was made to understand by myself.
personally, that any statement which
te made must be voluntary on his
part and not made with the belief
that the district attorneys office
would seek to give him anything
other than square deal if he en-
tered a plea of guilty and appeared
as witness for the state against
Thomas.
81 personally told his attorney,
c. l.. Brown, that | would rather
have him plead not guilty and stand
trial than to 90 into the case with
Singh pleading guilty and expecting
lcniency from this office. His at
torney said that he saw little use
in Singh standing trial when he had
already admitted his guilt.
"ln addition l have only this to
say. This office will seek to bring
to Justice all violators of the alien
land law. That is our business and
we will prosecute all cases which
are brought before us