The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-04-05
THE sIoKLEs CASE.
CRIMINAL COURT TRIAL OF HON. DANIEL E
sIcKIEs FOR THE MURDER or PHILIP BARTON



KEY
Fipsf DAf-siosbAY; ArhIL L. 1888
Yesterday having been set for the commencement Of
ths Important trial, the city was all alive with excite
nsnt n regard to IT, Before nine O'Clock the criminal
court room opened 10 those privileged TO enter the
space within the bar. which speedily fi!lod. Care
had been taken to provide much possible by
the removal OF the desks and long benches and chairs
occupied their places. Lawyers and Iawstudens can
wasting the merits OF the case swarmed in all parts of
the room and the members OF the corps rcportoral
everywhere to be seen hunting up the most convenient
hooks and corners for jotting down the proceedings
Here and there euterprsng photographer had
erected an extempoaneous desk and sat conentedly
tsmplatlug the indignant demonstrations OF his col
leagues many of whom having made their appearance at
the eleventh hour greatly exercised because the
oommotatlons were not of that convenient character
which BELTS the dignity of the representatives Of the
press AT half past nine strong detachment of po
lice we're brought in and posted by Capt Goddard at
ali the entrances to the court room, with orders 10
keep the passages clear The main doors then
thrown open and large crowd immediately rushed in,
throngiug the space outside of the railing.
THE COUNSEL.
Tbe district attorney and the counsel for the defence
consisting OF Messrs Brady and Graham, Of New York
Stanton Of Pittsburg Phillips of Alabama and Chill
tom Raclie and Maruder, of this city, then entered
and took their seats Near them noticed Mr. Baio,
the father Of Mrs. Sickes Ihos Francis Meagher, Hon
K B. Hart, of New York Chevalier Wykon, the father
Of Mr. sickles, and number OF other strangers of
note.
THE COURT OPENED.
At quertcr after ten Judge Crawford came in, and
Deputy Marshal Phillips opened the court The judge
then remarked that he believed had been the under
standing that the OF Mr. sicles would be taken up
today and asked the counsel il they ready to go
ON The counsel for the defence having assened the
district attorney directed the witnesses for the prosecu
ton 10 be called The clerk (Mr Niddeton) according
ly called the following Witnesses all of whom
cepting the four last, answered to their names
Dr. r. II. Coolidge, DR. r. X Stone. Edward Della
field Joseph Dudrow, p. v. r. Van Wyck K NJ lid
BALL Abel Upshur. Thos E. Martin, JAS. N Reed, Eu-
gene Pendleton Richard Brodhead Richard n. Downer
and Francis Doyle
The District Attorney We are ready. sir.
The Court. Mr.. Marshal, bring the prisoner in.
short interval now ensued which passed by the
counsel in concluding their arrangements for the opening
of the case Meantime dead silence prevailed among
the spectators and all eyes turned towards the door
to catch the first glimpse of
THE PRISONER.
AT twenty minutes before eleven O'Clock Mr. Sickles
conducted by the marshal into court and entered
the dock He dressed neatly in dark coat and vest
and light pants He looked little pale, but otherwise
as usual calm and self possessed The greatest curiosity
had been manifested by tho crowd to him both
his way from the jail and after his entry into court
ASSOCIATE COUNSEL FOR THE PROSECUTION.
Robert Ould, the District Attorney then and
said MAY please your honor before the arragnmen
beg leave to state to the court that Mr. Carlisle is
cated with in the conduct Of the prosecution beg
leave also, to state to your honor that the aid of my
learned friend under the circumstances of the case is pc
culiary gratifying to me personally and feel that
shall be taking unwarrantable liberty with the
court when say that this association will also be APP
proved by it.
The Court Let the indictment be read.
The prisoner then arose. and remained standing while
the clerk read
ar INDICTMENT.
Dsrit Of Cburn5io County Of Washington, 10 wa
The jurors of the United States for the county aforc-
said upon their oahs present that Daniel Il Sickles
late of the county Of Washington aforesaid gentleman
having the fear of God before his eyes, but being
moved and seduced by the nstgaon of the devil the
twenty day of February in the year of Lord
eighteen hundred and fifty nne with force and arms at
the county aforesaid in and upon the body OF Philip
Barton Key in the peace of God and OF the said United
States then and there being fclonously wifuy and of
his malice aforethought, did make assault and that
the said Daniel f. Sckes, certain pistol of the value Of
two dollars then aud there charged with gunpowder and
leaden bullet which said pistol he, the said Daniel
f. Sckes, in his right hand, then and there had and
held, then and there feloniousy wilfuy, and of his
malice aforethought, did discharge and shoot off to,
against and upon the said Philip Barton Key and that
the said Daniel f. Scses, with the lcaden bullet afore
ad out Of the pistol aforesaid then and there by force
Of the guspowder aforesaid by the sad Daniel f. Sices
discharged and shot off aforesaid then and there elo
niously wfuly, and of his malice aforethought did
strike penetrate and wound him. the said Philip Barton
Key, in and upon the left side of him. the said Philip
Barton Key little below the tenth rib of him. the said
Philip Barton Key giving to him. the said Philip Barton
Key then and there with the eaden bullet aforesaid,
as aforesaid discharged and shot out of the pistol aore
sad by the said Daniel f. Sickles and upon the left side
of him, the said Philip Barton Key, little below the
tenth rib of him, the said Philip Barton Key mortal
wound of the depth of ten inches and OF the breadth of
Philip Barton Key then and there instantly died and
the jurors aforesaid upon the oaths aforesaid do say
that the said Daniel =. Scklcs, him, the aid Philip Bar
ton Key, in aud form, and by the means afore-
said then and there felonously wiliuy and of his NAL
ice aorethought, did kill and murder against the form
OF the statute in such case made and provided and
agonst the peace and government of the United States
ROBERT GUILD,
Attorney for the United States
The reading Of the indictment having been concluded,
the usual question to his guilt innocence put to
the prisoner, to which he responded in clear and firm
voice. mot guilty The court then proceeded 20 the
sruEcrIoS or JURY.
The regular panel being called
Joseph b. Bryan was Intercepted by the court with the
usual formula, whether he had formed expressed
opinion in regard to the guilt innocence of the accused
lie replied that he had
Mr. Phillips for defence desired to ask the Juror il his
opinion had been formed from facts either gained from
personal knowledge from any witnesses the trans
action He concnded that opinions formed from com