DISTRICT COURT ADJOURNED

Crowley Signal May 21, 1904

The case of Adelas Guillory, charged with attempted criminal assault, was brought to a sudden end Thursday, after the first State’s witness, Francoise Deshotels, had concluded her testimony.  The witness was the complainant, but failed to identify her supposed assailant although he sat in the courtroom not twenty feet from her.  The fact that the assault to have been committed less than six weeks ago and that the girl had known the accused from childhood caused a ripple of amusement in the court room.  The District Attorney moved to dismiss the case and asked the court to instruct the jury to bring a verdict of acquittal which was done.

Chas. Armstrong was placed on trial on a charge of larceny this morning and a jury impaneled.  This will probably be the last jury trial in the criminal division.

James Thornton, indicted for cutting with intent to kill entered a plea of guilty and was remanded for sentence.

Joe Sias, alias Lulu, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty and was sentenced to one year in the penitentiary.

A motion in arrest of judgment was filed in the case of Paul Fauley convicted of larceny.

In civil court, during the morning hour, the case of West Bros. & Rakestraw vs. Albert Lyons was dismissed at plaintiff’s cost on motion of their council.

John Eakright vs. frank Scanlan; judgment for the plaintiff.

Dr. W.T. Patterson vs. Acadia Drug Co.; judgment for defense, reserving to plaintiff for amount claimed; judgment for defendant for her reconvential demands.

Succession of Mrs. A. Comeaux; final tableau homologated.

The spring session of the criminal and civil district court of the 18^th judicial district adjourned Saturday at 10:30 o’clock.  The term convened on April 25^th and has held a busy session.  In the criminal division twenty cases have been tried resulting in fourteen convictions, five acquittals and one mistrial.

In the civil and probate courts about seventy five cases were called.  The next term will begin on June 6.

In the criminal court Saturday James Thornton, charged with stabbing with intent to kill, plead guilty and was sentenced to six months in the penitentiary.

Chas. Armstrong, tried Friday on a charge of larceny and convicted, was sentenced to thirty days in the parish jail.

Frank Flash, convicted on a charge of carrying concealed weapons, was sentenced to pay a fine of $10 and cost of prosecution.

The case of Emelien Miller, indicted for shooting with intent to kill, was nolle prossed.

In the case of Paul Fauley, convicted on a charge of burglary and larceny on a motion in arrest of judgnment was argued and submitted and overruled.

TRANSPORT TO PRISONERS TO PEN

Crowley Signal, May 28, 1904

Sheriff Murrel left Saturday for Baton Rouge with six prisoners who will be confined in the penitentiary.:

Albert Cormier sentenced to 18 months for striking with intent to kill.

Emelien Miller, 9 months for shooting with intent to kill.

Jos. Sias, 6 months for larceny.

Alfred Eaglin, 12 months for larceny.

James Thornton, 12 months for larceny.

M. Abrams, sentenced last term to 7 years for burglary and brought back to give evidence in case of Paul Fauley.

CASES IN DISTRICT COURT

Crowley Signal September 17, 1904

District court convened at 10 o’clock Tuesday morning with Judge DeBallion this morning.

Criminal Arraignments:

John Martin and George Lovinggood, charged with assault, were arraigned entered a plea of guilty.

Eddie Thomas, Henry Walker and Walter Smith charged with stealing watermelons, were arraigned and plead guilty.

Albert Taylor, charged with stealing a watch entered a plea of guilty

E.W. Schingleton, charged with stealing a quantity of clothing, entered a plea of guilty.

In the preliminary trial of Cyrille Rayon, charged with being an accomplice of Homer Meche in the murder of Will Bruner and Joseph Trahan at Coulee Crouche.  Judge DeBallion rendered his decision, discharging the prisoner from custody.

RAYON ACQUITTED

At the morning session of the district court Tuesday Judge C. DeBallion rendered his decision in the case of the State vs. Cyriel Rayon, the young man charged with being an accomplice in the murder of Joseph N. Trahan & Will Bruner, two well known citizens of this parish.

Cyriel Rayon was acquitted of the charge.

The testimony in the case was taken in the preliminary hearing given him Monday when a large number of witnesses from the eastern part of the parish were examined, and from the evidence taken Judge DeBallion decided that the only part Rayon took in the affair was to try and prevent the shooting.

The young man left for his home this morning accompanied by his father and friends who have been near him ever since the charge was preferred.

The testimony at the hearing given Rayon Monday will prove very damaging to Meche when Rayon is put on the stand against him, for Rayon was exonerated by the court by showing that he did his utmost to prevent Meche from killing Bruner and Trahan.

GRAND JURY REPORT

December 10, 1904

State vs:

Leon Gallot; shooting win intent to kill and murder, bond fixed at $300.

James T. Turner; shooting with intent to murder.

Rufus Mires; refusing to work on public road; bond fixed at $50.

Galbert Janis; burglary and larceny.

John Moore; assault with dangerous weapon.

John East; assault with dangerous weapon.

Charles Obey; larceny

Joe Johnson; carrying concealed weapon.

Edward Arceneaux; larceny

John E. Hoffpauir; refusing to work on public road.

George Trump; assault & battery.

Voorhies Lyons; selling a pistol to a minor.

Romulus Melancon; disturbing a peaceable assembly.

Alex Dartes; carrying aconcealed weapon.

Carl Smith; obrainng money under false pretenses.

Fannot Allen, et als; robbery.

Ed Broom; murder.

Arthur Meyer; gand larceny

Morris Peach; shooting with intent to kill.

Felicie Godeaux; assault and battery.

Freank Lewis; battery.

Alex. Shaw; murder

Homer Meche; murder.

Felix Richard; using loud and obscene language near a dancing hall.

NO TRUE BILLS

James V. Fountain; murder.

Romulus Melancon; carrying concealed weapon.

Rhull Bunner, manslaughter.

J.W.H. Rucker, assault and battery.

Charles Schambough, Jr., assault and battery.

L.F. Carlin, larceny.

Julian Mires, sexual intercourse with a female under 16.

Annie Brown and Tom Tatum, murder.

Alexander Dartes, assault.

Lastie Daily, shooting with intent to kill.

Louis Richardson, attempt to commit arson.

Fannor Allen, larceny.

Frank E. Lyons, assault with intent to rape.

Dupre Leblanc and Clesme Leblanc, refusing to work on public road.

Adam Dupuis, assault.

Joseph David, assault and battery.

John Roy and Arthur White, horse stealing.

Randolph Dugas, having sexual intercourse with a female under 16.

Alcee Jones and Aaron Arant, striking with intent to kill

Mack Dugas, having sexual intercourse with a female under 16.

J.B. Teirce, grand larceny.

H.H. Hair, horse stealing.

David Ray, flooding public road.

Phill Booker, burglary and larceny.

Joseph Cormier, Jr. and Tosthene Cruthers, disturbing a peaceable assembly.