Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-04-06
THE MADISON PLACE MURDER
irial OF Daniel T.. SickIes for the killius
of Philip Barton Key
THIRD D4Y-WEDNEsDIY

court THIS morning was not quite as large as yes
tefday- the rather monOtOnous proceedings in the
uphill work Of getting jury not being quite Of
sufficient interest to atone for the vIlanous atmos-
Phrrs Of n badly ventilated courtroom or for the
fatigue of Standing on tip-toe for hours together
number Of copies Of New York illustrated pa
Pers containing pictures of the Court proceedings
witness examinations, &c - rather In advance of
the actual progress Of the trial Were In Circulation
among the lawyers, and excited some grim smiles
amongst the fraternity. The elder Sickles held In
nus lands copy Of one Of them containing a
handsome Prohle (bustl view Of his son, and ex-
hlDlted IL To Mr.. Brady, who pronounced Ii a
goo likeness. much to the apparent qualification
Of the old gentleman, who seems wholly absorbed
In the fortunes Of his son.
THE PRISONER
~ . minutes past 10, a m, the prisoner was
conducted to his dock. pausing ON his way through
the crowd TO shake hands with personal friends
He appeared in excellent spirits
Mr. Stanton took his position by his side "a
heretofore; but both he and Mr. Siciles took seats
Instead OF Standing, as on yesterday.
OPENING THE COURT
At l0k o'clock the Judge came into court, and
tine Crier restored order
The sworn jorors were then called, and answered.
The Court then directed that the work of en-
p1nneliing the jury be proceeded with; and tie
Clerk called
Robert M; CoomJs, (dry-goods dealer) He had
Nersed with the witnesses, that he knew Of Didn't
think any evidence could be produced which
would change his opinion. Set aside.
th1S W HdreHArr (baker) called. Had formed
opinions that would make him an incompetent
juror. Set aside.
George W. Hinson (tailor) called Had formed
opinions. Set aside.
H0I, H. 1ThOid (shoe dealer) called Thought
he had formed opinions. and felt strong sympathy
In the case. Felt himself disluaIihed from the
effect OF that sympathy. Set aside
GsO,ge NJ. GOoinH (plumber) called. Had ex-
pressed decided opinions
Mr.. Phillips desired to ask the juror il his opin-
ions had been formed from rumor
Mr. Ould thought il decidedly unnecessary to
90 further when the Juror had so answered
The Court said that that i'm his opinion djs1ual-
lh'd the juror but he did not like to restrict the
Mr.. Phillips commended that if the opinion Of
tue juror was not fiNed but that different state of
facts Oh trial should change his opinion. he was
competent TO set rs juror ia the case There WAS
no principle of law of common sense which
would diSIualify man who had formed an opin-
Ion from mere rumOr.
The Court thought that here i man answered
that he had formed decided opinion that was
Sufficient to exclude him
Mr. Stanton hoped the counsel for the prisoner
w"n!u De permitted 10 20 ON and ascertain whether
the juror was competent.
The Court thought the counsel for defence had
10 right to plain, every facility had been
given them.
The juror said he had formed opinions from
conversations with the witnesses
The Court IL a man has formed decided
opinion IN certain way, he is disqualified
Mr. stanton said the purpose OF the defence was
IN such crOSS-eXamiDatiou Of Jurors to ascertain
whether they understood the real import of their
own language in saying that they had formed
opinions; whether they were such as mig ut not be
overcome by the testimony.
The juror was set aside.
1fIu Grinder called. Had expressed opinions
al different times. Set aside.
ThoS. Parker (grOcer) called. Had formed opin-
ions Could rot discharge his oath juror Set
aside.
Taos. E Young (colchmaky) Hal formed
Opinions from and
discharge his duty as juror imFartially Set
Jas. "; COona1' (anctioneerJ Had formed and
expressed opinions about the case. Set aside
Hiram II. hHg. Had formed no opinions; had
no prejudice in the case No scruples about capt.
tai punishment Was worth $500
BY Radcliffe. Challenged
H"i- q. Dc9i> (measurer) Had heard what
was pending here. Had formed opinions EN-
bEacing the whole subject. II chosen as Juror
would try to do his duty but rather afraid TO
trust himself.
b. Phillips. lie is competent juror.
BY lie Court don't think SO; he says he is
e1raid To trust himself
By Phillips Can any man say more than that
he will try to discharge those duties which his
O@th imposes on him
By the Court. IL a man is afraid To trust him
duty.
The juror was set aside
Jesse y. Wilson (grOcer) called. Didn't know
a. Lie h2d expressed any opinion. Had formed va
r.0as opinions Had no prejudice ia the case
The Court j think, gentlemen. this series Of
answers amounts 20 i qualification
The juror said he had scruples as to CAPITAL
punishment, and was worth $500
By Radcliffe. Swear him, sir And Mr.
Wilson VAS sworn.
JohH A. Rag (shOe dealer) Had formed opin-
iOns embracing the entire case. Set aside
John +. Leach (wine dealer) Had formed an
opinion Set aside
james NOdksS (painter) Had expressed SYM
pathy for both parties. but had formed no opin-
ions Had no prejudice, and could do any man
Justice. Had no scruPles against capital punish
b. Ratcliffe- The expression OF sympathy on
10th sides il a very delicate matter How far
dos this case come within the rule
BY the Court. An opinion OH one side disoual-
ih,S
BY Ratclife. :" He is challenged.
Joan MtD>raor (cOac hHaker) called. Has read
the evidence before the inquest and has conyersed
freely about the subject Has had vague imDres-
slOnS about the matter but cannot dignity them NV
the name Of opinions. Does not know how far
prefer not 10 take the responsibility Of a iuror's
place IN the case Had no scruples, and was
worth $50.
The Court thOdght this Juror WIS qualified
By RatcIne- - Swear him And the juror
Was sworn
LsoHoias Coyls hardware dealer Had formed
opinions. Set aside.
AHd. J. DsraH (tlIlor) called Had formed
opinions. Set aside
FSaAcis 4. Tscksr hardware dealerD Had
formed opinions. Set aside.
ions St aside.
I'm n. stafford (tailor) Had formed no
opinions. No bias ia the cas- Had consrien-
roGs scruPles against capital punishment. Set
aside.
Michael Gr,,A (grocer) called. Had formed
opinions Would 20 according to the evidence
la determining the case. Had expressed his opin-
ions freely that
District Attorney That'Il do
BY Court Have you any bias for or against the
prisoner
Juror. ! am for the prisoner as far rs
District Attorney. Th1t'n do, sir
b. Phillips. The prior opinion can have M
weight in this case. Ii he feels that he can 1--WE a
verdict according 10 the evidence he is qualified
By Brady. The expression il that the. iuro, Is
FOR the pTsOaer. ask that this challenge NAV
no. be made on a demonstration Of his answer
IL should he aScertaiRed whether he Is for the
prisoner strongly rs that lac would be biased in
giving i verdict. The juror SAYS lac would render
verdict according 10 the evidence. Iwuuld beg
Ill Court "a question him further, Is ~ ascer-
tain how far lac Is for the prisoner.
~ district Attorney. The juror declares that
Lac las a bias for the prisoner. Your honor has
already de'ided that II IHrty has even sympathy
Oh one side, he Is disqualified. imagine then