Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-04-04
Trial Of Daniel Z. Sickles for the killing
of Philip Barton Kew.
FIRST DAY-srOyDAY.

In anticipation Of pressure at the City Hall, a
large police force was ordered to be present at
half-past eight O'Clock in the morning.
The PrecautiOn was wise one, for the crowd in
and around the City Hall greater than was
ever drawn together there by trial at law of any
description. As it was good -humcred and con-
siderate crowd, the police had little to do but to
give information and make suggestions to the over
eager. which in all eases were promptly and
nrDlnity and politeness Of the police TO all con-
trt5utrd much indeed to the good temper of ali
who were eomPonents Of the large gathering.
THE MORNING HOUR
At o'clock the court room began IN mt ON n
bISy aspect. The Marshal and Deputr Marshal
were engaged in making active preparations for
tue accommodation of the press Of people which
were already gathering in front of the doors The
desks of the Court inside the bar were all removed
and replaced by long benches from the lobby, and
chairs. A strong guard of police, under Capt
Godd1rd, were marched into the court room, and
stationed at the several doors of entrance
About O'Clock, crowd of reporters Of the
press presented themselves in the court room and
began to look for sitting room within the bar
Among them we noticed T. ID. Sultzcr of the
Baltimore Clipper; H. 6. Hays and Gobri. hit, OF
the New \ Ork Associated Press; l.. T. Adams of
The Galcsburg (lll. } Democrat; a = HILL Of the
New York Tribune; Geo. w. Adams of the Phil
adeiphla Evening Bulletin; Mr.. Shaw. of the
New York Herald; Z. Smith and others
Within the railing the seats were filled by an
unusually large representation of the Washington
bar, and mingled with the lawyers seated or
standing, as they could find ROOM were a number
81 strangers Of note: Among these were MIR Sick
les father OF the prisoner, Mr. Bajioli an elderly
b9ld-headed gentleman, father of Mrs. Sickles
Cheyalier Wykof, Thomas F. Meagher the Irish
pitn0t, Hon Emanuel b. Hart Of New York,
Mr.. Carey, of the New York Times Thomas ]
Brown. Esq, Of New York, and others
Vt l04 a m, Judge Crawford came into SQUIRT,
and the session was opened.
The petit jurors of the pending panel were called
by name, aud answered.
Mr. SickIes's counsel, MeSsrs. Graham, of New
YORK; Brady do, Radcliffe. Chiffon, Magruder,
Hon Mr.. Phillips, late Of Alabama, and Mr. STAN
ton. came into the courtroom af,erward
MI carlisle appeared on the part of the United
states. To assist the District Attorney
Judge Crawford called the attention of the bar
10 the case. and asked the counsel on each side
respectively, if they were ready to 20 into trial
The defendants counsel answered that they
were ready.
Mr.. Ould, for United States asked that the wit
neSscS Tor the United States Dc called; which WIS
done, and all answered but four.
Mr. Ould then announced that he was ready for
trial
Judge Crawford then ordered the prisoner to be
brought into court.
THE PRISONER IN COURT
At twenty minutes to III O'Clock the prisoner
made his appearance in Court and took his place
IN the dock. On his way over tn the Court House
from the Jail. great rush tn see him. Of hundreds
st1nding around on the north side Of the City Hail.
took place, causing the usual momentary commo-
ton in such cases. lie was dressed in dark
clothes, neatly, and with quiet good taste. His
fIce was pale, but this believe is his habitnal
and self possessed
The interim between the order and the appear
ance OF the prisoner in court was passed by the
counsel in completing some arrangements not vet
made for the opening Of the case.
After the prisoner had been brought into court
and placed in the prisoners dock. Mr. OuId an
nonnced formally to the court that Mr. Carlisle
woald appear for the United States during the
trial Of the pending case as his assistant lie
kf7fif no WA tRzf han, IN ha.y,
sStanCe Of Mr.. Carlisle in conducting the case and
hid no doubt that the Court shared his gratfca-
uon' and was answered by nod - approval from
The Clerk ~. Middleton) then directed the
prisoner To stand up, and he was arraiyned. 1.-THE
Indictment being as follows to which he replied,
In a hrm voice, - not guilty.
THE INDICTMENT.
District Of Columbia, County Of Washington. 10
rtt The Jurors of the United States for the county
aforesaid upon their oaths present that Daniel r.
Slckles. late of the county Of Washington afore-
said gentleman, not having the fear Of God before
his eyes, but being moved and scduccd by the in
stiy1tiOn Of the devil. on the twenty-seyenth day
Of February, in the year Of Lord I'll ghteen hum
dred and hfty-nine, with force and arms at the
county aforesaid, in and upon the body Of one
Philip Barton Key in the peace OF God and Of the
said United States. then and there being feloni-
ously, wilfully, and Of his malice aforethouuht
did make an assault and that the said Daniel f.
Sckles, certain pistol of the value of two dollars
then and there charged with gunpowder and one
lesden bullet, which said pistol he the said Dam
lei Sickles in his right hand then and there had
and held, then and there feloniOusly. wifully
aud Of his mllice afo,ethought. did discharge and
shoot of, 10, against and upon the slid Philip
Barton hey; and that the said Daniel f.. Sicklcs
with the leaden bullet aforesaid out Of the pis-
toll aforesaid, then and there, by force Of the
-unpOwder aforesaid. by the sid Daniel f.
Sickles discharged and shot off % aforesaid then
and there feIoniously, wiIfully and of his malice
5fOrethOuSht, did strike, penetrate and wound
him. the said Philip Barton Key, in and upon the
len side Of him, the said Philip Barton Key. n
barton key, giving TO him. the said Philip Barton
hey, then and there, with the leaden bullet afore
said, aforesaid discharged and shot out Of the
DistO aforesaid, by the said Daniel r.. Sicklcs in
and upon the left side Of him, the said Philip Bar
ton Key. a Little below the tenth rio, Of him the
said Philip Barton key. one mortal wound Of the
depth Of ten inches and Of the breadth Of half an
inch; of which sad mortal wound. he. the sid
Philip Barton key, then and there instantly died
And 50 The jurors Aforesaid upon their Oaths aforc
said. do say that the Sld Daniel T.. Sickcs him
the said Philip Barton Key. in manner ard form
and by the means aforesaid, then and there f,lo-
nionsly, wilfully and Of his malice aforethought.
did kill and murder, against the form Of the stat
ute in such case made and provided, and against
the peace and government of the United states.
ROBERT OULD, Attorney for L. :.
The jury Irregular Panel) was then called, Joseph
Is. BTya grocer, being called first and the usual
formula Of questions was put by the Court.
Mr. Bryan stated that he had formed an opinion
as to the guilt or innocence of the prisoner
Mr. Phillips, for defence, desired 10 ask the
Juror il his opinion had been formed from facts
either gained from personal knowledge or from
any witnesses 70 the Transaction. He cOntended
that OPINIONS formed from common rumor did not
disqnalify juror from serving in such case
The Court saw no objection 10 the juror being
thus questioned.
Mr.. Phillips then asked Mr.. Bryan IL he had
formed opinions from rumOr and he replied that
lac had, and that his mind was biased in favor OF
the prisoner. Set aside.
Samuel II. HoIc.H (groccr) being called. Had
no prejudice, but had an impression; but not So
strong that he could not render u verdict ac-
cOrdiag To the testimony
Challenged by Mr.. Radcliffe.
Cd1TieS " SkIPPCH (tiilOr) called. Had formed
opinions from general rnuIor. but NO Impression
- Ia the result. Was biased. though. Didn't
know Lat ke could render an impartial verdict.
lie st ASIDE.
Jo.,cb l.. Sarags hardware DEALER called. Had
EXPRESSED opinions.
Mr Carlisle asked leave 20 make suggestion:
II had always been held that when juror had
formed or expressed al opinion, that lac was dis
qualified. When 4 man had formed or expressed
an opinion Justice would seem 10 require that any
idrther Interrogation was unnecessary.
The Court said that when a man had formed or