DISTRICT COURT

Crowley Signal November 21, 1903

Thursday afternoon, after having heard the witnesses in the case of state vs. Dorselies Fruge, charged with killing Arthur Roy, the district attorney asked the jury to bring a verdict of self-defense, which was done.

The district court convened at the usual hour Friday, and the following disposition was made of civil cases:

E. C. Quirk vs. Jos. L. Murrel, sheriff, judgment for the plaintiff.

J.W. Callahon vs. J.K. Thomas; plea to jurisdiction ratione personae taken up tried and submitted.

I.M. Lichtensten et als vs. E. W. Lyons; return day on interrogatories extended to Nov 25, 1903.

The case of Klebert Lejeune, charged with having carnal knowledge of a female under sixteen years of age, was then called. The accused was defended by Hon. P.S. Pugh and Percy T. Ogden and on motion of district attorney, Wm. Campbell, Attorney J.J. Robira was appointed by the court to assist in the prosecution. The following jury of six was impaneled: Gabriel Derouen, J.W. Smith, O’Niel Henry, J.J. Flanagan and O’Neil Sarver. Particular attention was paid by the attorneys to getting as many married men on the jury as possible, and before the jury had been completed, the state peremptorily challenged two jurors on that score and the defense six. The first witness placed on the stand by the state was the unfortunate girl’s father.

At Friday afternoon session three witnesses were placed on the stand by the state and three by the defense. The accused, being placed on the stand, admitted that he was over eighteen years old, the age prescribed in the statute, and the unfortunate girl, a mere child, testified to the truth of the whole sad story of elopement, naively saying that they were to be married. The argument for the State was begun by Attorney John J. Robira, retained by the State, who made an eloquent plea for justice and the protection of the girlhood of the State from men who will abuse their confidence and impose upon their love. Attorneys P.S. Pugh and Percy T. Ogden, for the defense, pleaded the intention of marriage on the part of the accused, and District Attorney Campbell closed for the State. Judge DeBaillion charged the jury in seven minutes clearly and thoroughly explaining to them the law in the case. Thirty minutes after retiring the jury filed back into the courtroom with a verdict of guilty, which seems to have justly met with unanimous and hearty approval.

At Saturday’s session the suit of Driscoll vs. Kutsch, was fixed for trial Tuesday December 1, 1903, after which the case of State vs. Chas. A. Ward, charged with embezzlement, was taken up, the following jury being impaneled: J.J. Flanagan, Freddie Lyons, Angelos Savoy, Harvey Wright, Cameron Andrus, Frank Savage, O’Neil Sarver, Gabriel Derouen, D.R. January, James Amy, S.A. Ellis, Erastus Hoffpauir. (Chas. A. Ward was later found not guilty) Criminal Matters

Felix Carmouche, charged with murder pleaded guilty to manslaughter; plea accepted; accused sentenced to payment of $1.00 fine and fifteen years imprisonment in penitentiary.

Oscar Yling, charged with larceny; case continued

Pietro Nami and John Nami, charged with lareny; nolle porsequi entered. Case taken up and tried with the following jury: Mike Millick, J.F. Alshine, J.W. Adcock, Marcus Perry and Sidney Stutes.

Phillip Lapleau was naturalized as an American citizen State vs. Willard Humble, charged with carrying concealed weapons; case set for trial Friday November 20.

James Antaklay, husband, vs. Rosa Kallid, wife; case dismissed, reconciliation having been effected.

Wm. Egan vs. J. Daly, default entered.