The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1859-04-08
The SickIes Trial.

iilS seat Oh the DeDcn, ana tue crier
opened the court. Soon afterwards
the public doors were thrown open,
and the room was Immediately filed.
Mcssrs. Brady and Graham. Of New
York, were presented to the Court
Iby Mr.. Magruder. The Judge said
that case No. 1874, being that Of Mr..
,Sickles, was set down for to-day,
and asked whether the counsel we're
ready on both sides. The answer
was in the affirmative. The panel
Tor tho Petit Jurors was then call
cd.
Mr.. Ould asked that the witness.
es Tor the prosecution be called, and
all answered to their names but four.
The Judge directed the Marshal to
bring 10 the prisoner, but consi ERA
ble time elapsed before the order was
obeyed. When Mr.. Siclslcs was
brought into Court, he returned the
recognition Of several of his friends
and acquaintances, and took his seat
beside his counsel, but near the rail-
ling that separates the lawyers from
the audience.
Mr.. Ould begged permission, be-
fore the arraignmcnt OF the prisoner,
to state that Mr.. Carlisle was asso-
ciated with him in the prosecution
Of the case. This association was
extremely gratifying to him, and he
was sure it would also he gratifying
to the Court. The indictment was
then read to the prisoner, charging
him with the usual quantity of legal
verbiage with the murder of Phillip
Barton Key, in the City OF Washing
ton, on the 9th day OF February
lie was asked the question. are you
guilty or not guilty2 In a clear and
firm tone he responded, not guilty.
The task of getting a Jury was
then commenced. Joseph z. Briors,
the frat Juror called. The Judge
said he would put the usual ques
tions to the Jurors, touching their
impartiality. Mr. Stanton stated
that the defence would be satisfied
with that course.
Question by the Judge.-Have you
at any time formed or expressed an
opinion in relation to the guilt or
innocence Of the accused?
Juror.-I have.
Judge.-You may retire.
Mr.. Phillips, tor the defence, pro-
posed to ask the Juror whether his
opinion was founded on rumor, or
on the knowledge Of the facts. II
merely founded on rumor, and the
Juror could form a fair Judgement,
he contenled that the Juror was
competent. The defence was anx
ious to obtain a Jury without nm
necessary delay, and he contended
that he was competent.
The Judge permitted the exam
ination in that way.
Question. Have you formed and
expressed n opinion in this case on
rumor or n a knowledge of the
facts?
Juror. Merely on rum1r.
! Question.-Woull you be able, on
hearing the eviden'e, 10 render an
impartial verdict?
Juror. No, Sir. My mind is BIZ
ased in favor of the prisoner.
Judge. Stand aside.
The whole number of Jurors who
answered to their names, was thirty,
of which four were challenged pre-
cmptor:ly,-four disqualified on ac-
count of lack of property, seventeen
set aside for cause. and five sworn
"a follows: First, Resin Arnold, OF
Washington county, a Farmer; sec
ond, James l.. Davis, of Washing
ton county, Farmer; third, John
Z. Neale, Washington city. a Mer.
chant; fourth, William NJ. s. Hop
kins, of Washington city. furnishing
store; fifth, Com. Bond, Washington
city, Shoe Manufactures.
The Jurors thus sworn were al
lowed to separate. but were duly
cautioned by the Judge.
Mr.. Stanton called the attention
Of the Court to the fact that the pris
oner was placed in the box where
his counsel had no ready access t.
him. He asked the Court to order
the box to be placed in such a posi-
tion that Mr.. Sickles could confer
with his counsel. In point of fac,
he may AS well remain in Jail
dnring the trial of his cause as to be
where he is now placed.
The Judge uld not consent to
have the prisoners box placed be
side the lawyers. 1t was the rule tc
keep it where it was placed. 1t
might, however, be removed to the
railing directly back of the bar, and
the Marshal would be directed ia
keep the way open.
Mr.. Magruder submitted that il
was not asking too much to have the
prisoner confronted with the Jurors
and his accusers. The accused might
conduct his own defence, and Ger.
tainly in such case would not be
forced to occupy such an out -of-the-
way place. They would not ask
anything for him on the ground OF
his public position, or on the ground
OF his profession, but merely what
they would ask for the humblest
American citizen. In the various
states whence the counsel came, the
prisoner is always permitted to oc.
cupy a seat beside his lawyers. lie
asked that such facilities should be
extended in this case.
The Judge asked whether the
counsel had ever known a man tried
Tor murder who was not placed in