The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-04-14
THE SICKLES TRIAL.

return to Nashville to meet Col. Jackson"
THE SICKLES TRIAL.
We noticed the fact last week, that the trial
of Daniel E. Sickles, for the murder of Philip
Barton Key, was commenced in the Criminal
Court of this city on the Monday preceding
The first three days were consumed in empan
cling a jury. The regular panel, and two
special panels of seventy-6ve men each, were
exhausted before the jury was completed. The
Judge ruled, at the instance Of the District At.
torney, that none but property holders to the
value of eight hundred dollars should sit on the
jury. This is the letter of the law bat we
understand that the practice has been to waive
the question of property qualification. The ex-
ception made in this case is regarded as in
vidious, and has given rise to much comment.
The interest felt in this case is intense. The
court room is daily crowded to its utmost ca
pacity, and hundreds, unable to get inside,
hang about the doors and windows.
We present a list of the principal officers Of
the court, the counsel, and the jury, as follows.
Lie AIOhOA OunSc NIdWlOIu- Oh tue Dtutu
Robert NJ. Ould, Esq. United States District
Attorney, prosecuting, assisted by ]. NJ. Car.
isle, Esq; Messrs. Graham of New York
Brady of New York, Phillips of Alabama,
Magruder of Virginia, Stanton of Pennsylva-
MIA, Radcliffe and Chiffon of Washington city,
appear as counsel for the prisoner.
The jury is constituted as follows:
l. Rein Arnold, farmer.
2. James l.. Davis, farmer.
3. John E. Neale, merchant.
4. William NJ. Hopkins, furnishing store.
5. William Bond, shoe maker.
6. James Kelley, timer.
T. William c. Harper, grocer.
8. Henry NJ. Knight, grocer.
9. Jesse B. Wilson, grocer.
10. John McDermott, coach maker
IL. William NJ. Moore, occupation unknown.
II. o. S. Wight, furniture dealer.
Thusday-Judge Crawford took his seat at
ten minutes after ten, the jury having already
taken their seats in the box.
At twenty-five minutes past ten, Mr.. Siches
was brought in. His appearance was that Of
a man who had experienced much mental suf-
fering since yesterday.
The Indictment, which, in the usual form,
charges Daniel E. Sickles with the murder OF
Philip Barton Key, being read, the District
Attorney rose, and opened the prosecution by
stating briefly the facts which the United States
expect to establish, and the law under which
a verdict of guilty would be demanded.
He then proceeded to examine the witnesses
for the United States, whose evidence simply
goes to proving the fact and circumstances of
the homicide. The testimony in chief of the
United States was closed on Friday.
Saturday the defence was opened by Mr..
Graham, Of New York, who spoke for several
hours with marked ability, and gave way at
three o'clock without coming to close.
Mr.. Graham resumed his remarks on Mon
day, and spoke for three hours with great ef.
feet. The counsel for the prisoner then pro-
ceeded to offer testimony in justification Of the
homicide. The fact was proven that Key was
on friendly and intimate terms with Sickles,
and that the latter had been instrumental in Sc
curing the reappointment of Key as District
Attorney. Letters from Key TO Sickles, show
ing that the most intimate relations of friend
ship existed between them, were offered to be
read in evidence, but they were ruled out by
the court. The court adjourned at the usual
hour.
On Tuesday, the examination of witnesses
for the prisoner proceeded. No fact was elicit
ed with which the public is 4ot already ac-
quainted The examination q Gov. Walker
produced an overpowering effect upon Mr.. Sic
kles as the witness described the scene at the
house of Mr.. S. Immediately after the homicide
The written confession of Mrs. Sickles was
offered in evidence, but the District Attorney
Directing to its reception, the Court took time
to consider the point, and had not decided when
the hour of adjournment arrived. The deepest
sympathy for the prisoner prevails.