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The Slckles Trial.

OF the PUBIC sentiment OF
one out of seventy -four persons had opinions so
fixed and decided that they could not trust
themselves to act impartially. Where ques-
tons were asked, it appeared that these opin-
ions were not as to the killing, but as to usti-
fcation.
The defense would not have challenged any
of their jurors.
The prisoners father-in-law and many New
York friends were in Court, evincing sympathy.
Among them was Mr.. McClay, member of Con-.
gress.
The body of the Courtroom was crowded,
and deep interest was manifested in the pro-
ceedings.
The Court, on being opened at quarter past |
ten o'clock this morning, the names Of the
eight jurors already sworn were called, and all |
answered.
The prisoner is in the box, looking calm and |
self-possessed. The clerk proceeded to call the
talesmen.
Robert NJ. Coombs had both formed and ex-
pressed an opinion in regard to the guilt or in
nocence Of the accused.
In reply to a question from Mr.. Phillips, he
said that he had formed an opinion from what
he had heard and read. He never conversed
with the witnesses for the prosecution.
District Attorney-That is, as far as you
know?
Juror-Certainly.
District Attorney--I should think so, for no
one knows who are to be the witnesses.
| Juror-I don't think that there could be any
evidence produced to change my opinions-my
mind is fully made up.
Judgo-I suppose SO; you may retire.
| Charles W. Havens had formed and expressed
an opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the
| accused. .. g..
To Mr.. Pbilips-My opinion was formed on
more rumor. L do not know that could dis
charge the duties as a fair juror. Ny mind
/ =. l.. ~. g.
George W. Hinton had formed an opinion so
fixed that he thinks he could not render fair
verdict.
VIM. H. Arnold thinks that he has formed an
opinion; felt strong sympathy in the case;
feels that he has expressed an opinion, and
feels himself unqualified as an impartial juror.
Judge-I should think SO, after your declara-
tion of sympathy. Retire.
G. NJ. Goodall has formed decided opinion.
Mr.. Phillips-0n what has that opinion been
founded?
The District Attorney submitted that after
the answer of the juror, further examination is
unnecessary.
Mr.. Phillips thought that this formation of
opinion amounted to nothing, if tho opinion
was founded on mere rumor. If the witness
could sit as an impartial Juror, the formation
of an opinion would not disqualRy him. If
every man is to be excluded because he has
formed an opinion, they would never get a
jury. A man who had formed an opinion
could still sit as impartial juror, and is as
qualified as if he had never heard of the case
at all. The prosecution by preventing further
question would thwart the course of justice.
Tho Judge himself has formed an opinion
more or less decided; but the question is, are
you an impartial Judge? can you sit as an i'm
, partial juror? There is no principle of law
and certainly mono Of common sense, which
excludes juror because he had formed ar
t opinion on mere rumor, if, notwithstanding
that opinion, he thinks he can give fair anC
- just verdict
Judgo-The opinion Of the juror may b
d weak or strong. If the juror answers that h
n can try the case with impartiality he may
"a sworn, as several of the jurors have SO an
:, swered; but where the juror answers that
II has formed q decided opinion, he is certainl
disqualified. The juror has formed decide
10 opinion, and therefore is incompetent.
Mr.. Stanton-Will the Court decide that th
. prisoner has no right to question the juror a
d to the ground of his opinion?
10 Judge-0h, certainly not.
ia Mr.. Stanton-The counsel for the prisont
proposes to ask the juror on what his opinio
is founded.
d The Prosecuting Attorney objected that th
d counsel be permitted to make such an inquiry
f. and asked the denial of the Justice to preveI
him.
lr no complaint in this case. There has been n
Il Withholding of the proper privilege or righ
:, from the prisoner.
Mr.. Chiffon disclaimed intending to insin
uate that there was unfair ruling against tn
prisoner.
- The Judge thought that an argument of ths
= point was unnecessary. Where the juror say
that he has formed decided opinion he
re disqualified and further inquiry is needless.
es The juror Ito Mr.. Phillips) said that he ha
of formed n decided opinion. 1t was formed o
knowledge obtained from the witnesses. Dii
~ qualified.
a. Mr.. Stanton explained that the defens
r. merely wanted to know what the jurors meal
Il by saying that they had decided opinions.
;. The Judge repeated what he had said befol
10 as to the incompetency of tho juror, who say
or that he had formed a decided opinion.
r. The Court then proceeded to select the TO,
10 additional jurors required. Tho most earne
attention was paid to the questions asked an
OF the answers of the talesmen.
Considering the crowd, good order was pr,
of served. By the time the sixtieth name ha
n been called, two more jurors were accepted an
sworn.
at At half-pa twelve the eleventh juror WI
he selected and sworn.
H. There are thirty talesmen remaining fro
-, which to select the twelfth.
"i The forty sixth talesmen having apparent
ne answered satisfactory, except the question
us to whether he was worth $500, Mr.. Stanto
nd maintained that such property qualifcatic
was not now required.
u The District Attorney as earnestly argue
ut that such was the law as inherited from Mar,
land.
Mr.. Stanton rejoined that the law had be,
on buried in oblivion for hundred years, al
oh was now dug up against Mr.. Sickles.
The Court said that the law had frequent
nd been enforced.
is Mr.. Stanton insisted that the practice mu
He be uniform to make 1t law Of the Court, al
=. the juror should not be disqualified because
ns has not $500 in his pocket. This never W
ch the law of the District of Columbia.
Ir. The Court said, whether the law is wise
he not, is the question; but under the statutes I
District Attorney had right to interrogs
mo tho juror relative to his being worth $500.
lad The juror replied that he considered hims
cd, worth that sum, and was accepted.
at The full number is now obtained, but W
y" not be impanneled until tomorrow, in ord,
IN in the mean time, to enable them to make
Eill rangements for a long siege.
rn- There were no further proceedings to- day.
The only emotion exhibited by Mr.. Sickl