Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-04-07


THE SICKLES TRIAL.
WASHINGTON, April G.--It Is contidentiEily
expected that the jury will be completed 10 day.
Talesnen are summoned from rural portions uf
the District. The proceedings Of yesterday in
dictate that II out Of g persons in this city have
opinions so fixed and decided, that they could
not trust themselves TO act inpartaliy; but
when questions were asked, it appeared that
these opinions were not as to killing, but rs to
Justice, the defence would not have challeHg-
c.l any Of these jurors The court crowded,
and Il deep interest is manifested. The court
was opened at quarter past 10, y. NJ, and the
s jurors already drawn answered to their names.
The prisoner was in the box, looking calm and
selfpOsseSscd. The Clerk proceeded to call tales
men Robt. NJ. Counts had formed and
pressed an opinion from what he had heard and
read; never convetsed with witnesses for the
prosecution.
Dist. Attorney-That is as far as you know
Juror-Ccrtainly.
Attorney Should think so far, no one knows
who arc to be witnesses:
juror do not think there could be any ev-
idence produced 10 change my opinion. Ny
mind is fully made up.
judge suppose SO. You may retire.
VIM. II. Arnold thought lie lad formed an
opinion. He felt strong sympathy in the case,
and feels that he has expressed an opinion; feels
himself unqualified as AN impartial juror.
JUDGE should think 50 after your declara-
ton of sympathy. Retire.
George NJ GoodlIl had formed decided
opinion.
Mr.. Phillips-On what has that opinion been
founded.
The District Attorney submitted that after
the answer of tie juror further examination
was unnecessary.
| Mr.. Phillips thought the formation of an
opinion amounted to nothing, if the opinion was
founded upon mere rumOr. Ii the witness could
sit an impartial juror, the formation of an
opinion did not disqualiiy Lin. If every man
| is to be excluded because he has formed an
opinion ON mere rumor, we would never get
Jury.
/ Mr.. Stanton Will the court decide that the
prisoner has no right TO question the juror as
to the ground of bis opiriuny
Judgc-Oh, certainly not.
Mr.. Stanton-The counsel for the prisoner
propose to ask the juror on wha; his opinion
was founded, aud the Prosecuting Attorney OBJ
jects.
judge think the counsel should make no
complaint. In this case there has been no with
holding of proper privileges or rights from the
lprisoner.
Mr. Stanton disclamed intending to insinuate
any unfair ruling against the prisoner
The Judge thought the argument Of the point
Unnecessary. Where juror says he has form
cd decided opinion he is disqualified, and fur
ther inquiry needless.
Juror, to Phillips, said he had formed de-
cided opinion. 1t was formed on knowledge OBJ
tanned from witnesscS-disqualiiied
Mr.. Stanton explained lhe defence merely
wanted TO know what jurors meant by saying
| they had decided OF iIion
! The Judge repeated what he had said before
as to the incompctency of juror who says he
had formed decided opinion.
| The court proceeded to select the four addi-
tional jurors required. The most earnest at
tention was paid to the questions asked and the
answers of the talesnan. Considering the
crowd, good order was preserved. By the time
the sixtieth name had been called three more
jurors were accepted and sworn.
| The 4G taleSmcn having apparently answered
satisfactorily all questions except as to @hethcr
they were worth $500, Mr. Stanton insinuated
that such property qualification was not now
required The District Attorney argued that
such was the law inherited from Maryland
Mr. Stanton rcjoined that the law had been bu-
! Tied in Oblivion for 100 years, aud now
dug up against Mr. SicllleS The Court said that
whether the Laws is wise not, is not the ques-
| ton, but under the statute the District Attor-
ncy had the right 20 interrogatc the juror as to
whether lac was worth $500. The juror rcpli-
cd that he considered himself worth that sum,
and was accepted. The full number are now
obtained but will not be einpanneilcd until to-
morrow.
The only emotion exhibited by Mr. Sickles,
since the commencement of the trial, was when
his old friend, RObt- j. Dillon, OF New York,
stepped up to him to-day, in the dock, aud
greeted him. Sickles turned away his head to
conceal the tears that sufuscd his eyes. The
arrangements made by the counsel for the de-
Tense were, Dir. Graham is TO make the opening
speech after the case for the prosecution is
closed. Nj. Stanton is to make the Arguments
on points Of law; Mr.. Brady is to examine wit
nesses, and with Chiffon, to present the closing
Arguments
One of the jurors is understood to have sta
ted, that since he was sworn, he has come to
the conclusion dat his mind was not wholly
unbiased. fthis be So 1t may effect tie pres
cut o; ganizatiOn Of the jury.
| " - A...st q m, He'll hns int,.IIi.