Imperial Valley press., 1930-01-15
TRIMMER DENIES
EVIDENCE GIVEN
BY ACCOMPLICES

just don 1T know why ] didn't
| report to the sheriff as we rassed
by Lee G.. Trimmer, on trial in
superior court for the shooting of
jose Hernandez near Brawlev, No.
vcmber 27, stated this morning in
/ response to the severe cross-exam-
, nation District Attorney IIcald
gave him. 1t had been brought out
that the trio had driven through FL
Ccntro, via Main street on their way
to Yuma after the tragedy and the
question was asked, that if he were
innocent of the crime as he claimed,
why did he not escape from the other
two and report the shooting, espe-
cially as the gun had been thrown
away and there was nothing more
20 fear from Dclmar Garrett, who,
Trimmer swore, fired the fatal shot.
The pistol used in the shooting
was handed Trimmer by Heald and
he was asked if it was the one which
had been used to shoot the Mexican.
Trimmer took the gun, clicked it
several times examined it slowly,
almost in a fascinated manner and
then calmly remarked that he
thought it was the same. When
asked to show the jury how it had
been held at the time of the shooting
he gave practical demonstration.
lie continued his denials of for
mer testimony and also that Re had
told either Sheriff Gillett or Deputy
Sheriff Sharp about any intentions
20 rob store in Seeley although
he had intimated that he knew of
such plans earlier in the examina-
tion.
Sheriff Gillett was recalled to the
stand to explain an alleged warrant
from Kern county held against the
men. The sheriff stated that no
warrant was issued but the authori
ties Of that county sent descriptions
of the three men as wanted for a
holdup committed there some time
previously.
Deputy Recalled
Deputy Sheriff Sharp was recalled
10 the stand for the state. He told
Cf conversations he had with the
three men in the county Jail from
to Z Il. m, the day after the shoot
iicers were present. He said that
they had made statements after be-
ing informed that whatever they
said might be used against them.
Just before recess was taken at
noon, Garrett was brought back into
the court and placed beside Trimmer
for purposes of comparison. This was
done at the request of w. A. Tordro,
one of the jurors.
A complete denial of all previous
testimony was made by Trimmer
when he took the stand in his own
defense at / 80 p. m. yesterday dur
ing his trial for the fatal shooting
of Jose Hernandez. Emphatic in his
statements throughout his examina-
tion he termed Helms statement
that he had given so to buy new
tires, "the dirtiest lie | ever heard. y
He denied that he had anything to
do with the shooting and gave his
version of the events that led up
to the tragedy.
Trimmer said that he was riding
III the front seat with Helms when
the ear stopped at the side of the
road Just before the shooting oc-
Cured. He asserted Hernandez was
accosted by Helms and questioned
cogarding work to be found in the
vicinity. Garret got out of the ear
with the gun in his hand and com
manded Trimmer to get in the back
scat. lie did so, sitting on top of
the luggage packed in the rear. He
stated further that he was in that
position when Garrett walked up to
, the Mexican, tapped him on the