The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1859-04-14
TRIAL Of Daniel Il. Ssckles fer the Mar-
der OF Philip Barton Key.

ger OF fnltlp uNtsoo Aey'
The trial Of DAxIrL +. SIcKLEs, for the
murder of P. BARTON key, commenced At
Washington City, on Monday last, before
Judge CRAWFORD. The counsel tor Mr..
SlcKLEs consists Of Messrs. JAMES S. BRADY
and JOHN GRAHAM, Of New York, +. NJ.
STANTON, Of Pittsburgh, SAMUEL Gnu.
TON and DANIEL RArcLISFE, Of Washing.
ton, THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER, of New
York, aud Others. Prosecuting Attorney
OrLD is asssted by Mr., j NJ. CARLISLE.
A despatch from the agen, Of the asso-
ciated press, says;
To-day the trial OF Daniel +. Sickles, for
the murder OF Philip Barton Key, begins,
and an intense interest is manifested through
ont the community in regard to it. The
applications for admission to the dingy liz.
tie room in the City Hall where the crimi-
nal court is held, have been very numerous
but so miserable are the accommodations
that the reporters find great difficulty in
"
other facilities for reporting this important
trial, they are all out Of the question I'm.
bccility and ignorance are characteristics OF
the old fogy officials here, though there
might have easily been proper arrangements
made by the introduction of tables or ten.
porary desks. The people, or Marshal, or
whoever ought to attend to the place, seem
40 20 hns 40 10 Ia, - ha,~
obtuseness is 80 extreme that remonstrance
is useless.
No more than three or four reporters
have been able to get facilities for writing,
and those for the Associated Press not
among them, although application was made
by them three weeks ago They have, how
ever, ventured on taking seats set apart for
the lawyers.
visited Mr., s. in prison at late hour
last night. There is no special hour for ex-
cluding visitors. When called there were
three gentlemen with him, among them his
father. | had not seen Mr. s. since his ar.
rest, and was hardly prepared to find him
looking 80 we'll His manner was pleasant
ly natural. There was little or no talk
about the event in which so deep an inter
est is felt at the same time there was no
apparent desire TO evade the subject. Con
versation was kept up on variety Of sub
jects, and the accused bore his part in it
with such ease that no one would imagine
that he bore great and abiding griei At
his heart.
The space within the bar Of the court
room lie immensely crowded with traverse
jurors, lawyers, reporters. and witnesses.
More than the usual number Of uniformed
police are present. The doors were thrown
wide open to the public but about fifly
were privately admitted to the area usually
occupied by spectators. Many outsiders were
clamorous for admittance, and number
gained access through the window While
much interest was manifested In the court,
there was general good order.
KMrAKSELLING A JURY.
At 1915 Al Judge Crawford took
his seat On the bench, and the crier opened
the court. Soon afterwards the public
doors were thrown open, and the room was
Immediately filed.
Messrs. Brady and Graham, Of New York
were presented to the court by Mr.. Ma.
gruder.
The Judge said that case No. l24, being
that OF Mr. Sickles, was set down tor o.day
and asked whether the counsel we're ready
on both sides. The answer was in the aflir.
native.
The panel for the petit jurors was then
called.
Mr.. Ould asked that the witnesses for the
prosecution be called, and all anwered 70
their names but four.
The Judge directed the Marshal to bring
in the prisoner, but considerable time elapsed
before the order was obeyed When Mr.
Sickles was brought into court, be returned
the recognition Of several OF his friends and
acquaiutances. aud took his seat beside bis
counsel, but near the railing that separates
the lawyers IRON the audience.
Mr.. Ould begged permission, before the
arraignment Of the prisoner to state that
Mr. Carlisle was associated with hin 10 the
prosecution Of the case. This association
was gratifying TO him, aud he was sure it
would be agreeable 10 the court
The indictment was then read 10 the pris-
oner charging him, with the murder Of
Philip Barton Key, in the city of Washing.
ton, on the 9th Of February. He was
asked the question, " Are you guilty or not
guilty ?" 10 a clear and firm tone be re-
sponded, Not guilty The task Of get
ting Jury was then commenced.
The whole number Of jurors who answered
10 their names was thirty, Of which iour were
challenged peremptorily, four disqualified on
account Of lack Of property sveuteen get
aside for cause, and Eve sworn az follows;
lst Rein Arnold, Of Washingtos county,
q farmer. ID. j. l.. Davis, OF Washington
county, a farmer. Sd. John 4. Neae, OF
Washington City. merchant. 4ih. Mr.. s.
Hopkins, Of Washington City. furnishing
store. 9Th Mr.. Bood, Washington City
shoe maDasc cturer.
The jaro, thus sworn were allowed 70
separate but were duly cautioned by the
Judge.
Mr.. Stanton called the attention OF the
court to the fact that the prisoner was
placed in the box where BIZ counsel bad no