Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-04-05
Trial of Daniel E. Sickles for the Murder Of Dis
trict Attorney Key.

trlct Attorney hey.
WASHINGTON, April 4-The Sicl1les trial
has commenced. There were only about fifty
spectators, in addition to the Court, lawyers,
reporters, &c.
Mr.. Sickles was arraigned on an Indictment
for killing Mr. Key, to which he answered
firmly, Not guilty"
Traverse jurors were called, and accepted or
challenged, according to their responses.
Out of the panel of thirty, five were select
ed and sworn. They were discharged until
tomorrow, with an injunction not to speak
with or listen to any person on the subject of
the trial.
Seventy-five talesmen were ordered to be
summoned by the Marshal for tomorrow, and
the Court adjourned.
SECOND DISPATCH.
The space within the bar of the Court room
was densely crowded with traverse jurors,
lawyers, reporters, and witnesses. The doors
were thrown wide open to the public. Many
outsiders were clamorous for admittance and
number gained ingress at the window while
much interest was manifested in the Court.
The judicial proceedings having been con-
cluded, Mr.. Sickles was arraigned and the in
dlctment for the murder Of Mr.. Key read to
him. In response to the usual question, he
answered in a firm tone, "Not Guilty" The
traverse jurors were severally called, and &C
ter of their response. Out of 80 persons, only
were selected and sworn. These were dis
charged till ten o'clock tomorrow morning,
with the caution of the Judge, not to speak
with or listen to any person on the subject OF
the trial.
Mr.. Sickless counsel are-James L. Brady
and John Graham of New York +. p. Stan
ton of Pittsburg and Messrs. Chiffon and
Daniel Radcliffe of Washington. There are
Al. Al / IL.
among whom is Thomas Francis Meagher of
New York. The prosecution is conducted by
Mr.. Robert 0uld, United States Attorney for
the District of Columbia, and it is understood
that he will employ Mr.. j. M. Carlisle to aid
him at least, application is to be made for
permission to do so.
AT 10 o'clock, Judge Crawford took his seat
on the bench, when the doors Of the court
room were thrown open, and it was immedi-
ately filled.
The Judge asked whether the counsel were
ready on both sides. The answer was in the
affirmative. The panel for the petit jury was
then called. The witnesses for the prosecu-
ton were called, and all answered to their
names but four The Judge directed the
Marshal to bring in the prisoner, but consider
able time elapsed before the order was obeyed.
When Mr.. Sickles was brought into Court he
returned the recognition of several of his
friends and acquaintance and took his seat
beside his counsel
Mr.. Stanton called the attention of the court
to the fact that the prisoner was placed in the
box where his counsel had no ready access to
him. He asked the court to order the box to
be placed in such position that Mr.. S. could
confer with his counsel The Judge could not
consent to have the prisoners box placed be-
side the lawyers. 1t was the rule to keep it
where it was placed 1t might, however, be
removed to the railing directly back of the
bench, and the Marshal would be directed to
keep the way open.
Mr.. Magruder submitted that it was not
asking too much to have the prisoner confront
ed with the jury and his accusers. The ac-
cused might conduct his own defence, and GER
tainly in such case would not be forced to
occupy such an outofthe-way place.
They would not ask any thing for him on
the ground Of his public position or profession
but merely what they would ask for the hum
best American citizen In the States from
which the counsel came the prisoner was per-
mitted to occupy seat by the side of his
lawyers. He asked that the privilege might
be allowed in this case
Mr.. Stanton disclaimed desire to have any
distinction made. They would be satisfied
with the arrangements suggested by the Judge.
Instructions to that effect were given to the
Marshal, and at o'clock the Court adjourned.