Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-04-08
GattsI b. Gsltarapb.
sickIes' TrimI.
roffpru ne

rouRrH DAT.
WAsHrNoroN, April Z.
The trial commenced IN earnest today.
and the interest manifested is intense. As
soOa as the doors were opened the Court room
was tilied with a throng, pressing and crush.
ing, TO obtain glimpse Of tho prisoner, who
sits in the barbarous looking arrangement. in
which he is confined by the usage Of the
Court. Though he sits throughout each
days proceedings apparently calm and un-
moved, yet when he gets back TO his prison,
he shows signs Of exhaustion; and whom
alone, which Is not oflen, he Is said be prey
TO sorrowful reflections; not that he regrets
the act for which he Is now on trial. no com
punctious thought Of that besots his mind.
but when he thinks upon his blightcd home
and the ruin that has been wrought by tho
yillainy Of false friend, his habitual self
possession gives way, and nature asserts her
supremacy.
The Washington papers have published
statement that Mrs. Sickles is now in this
city. There is no truth whatever in the
statement The lady's father contradicts il
ia the most positive manner, and SAYS that
since she left his homo here she has been re-
siding under his roof, in New York, under the
I protection Of her mother; and hopes that her
name will not wantonly or unnecessarily be
dragged before the public. He and Mr..
Sickles' father remain together ia court all
/ ~ time.
/ MIR. Graham complains that letters passing
between him aud Mr.. sickles have been tam.
pered with in the Post Office, and some omen
ed In transtu, and others delayed in their
transmission.
Court opened at l0:15 A. NJ. The judge
said, that after the Jurors were dismissed.
one Of the eleven came up to the bench and
asked If he could saya word to me. told
him no, not about this case. However. he
went on TO say: aT answered tho question
put to me, but since have been sworn in.
and been in the Jury box, have been reflect.
ing on this thing, | am not quite satisfied with
myself" On which said, cannot believe
your turning round, and he went oil. | /.
think it right TO mention this publicly in |
case the Counsel may think proper to con- I
slider il. So little impression did the
mans appearance make on me that cannot 1
re :ognize him now. He is one Of the
eleven.
Moore, the Juror, standing up, said, al
was impressed with the responsibility rest. |
ing on me, and felt kind Of shrinking from |
duty, but this morning | can saw 10 the
Court that l feel perfectly satisfied in nv |
own mind"
s. Wright, the twelfth Juror, was then
sworn and took his scat in the Jury box. |
when the twelve Jurors were called and an
swered to their names. The prisoner then
stood up and looked on the Jury while the
indictment was being read, and the trial COM
menced.
The District Attorney opened the case for
the prosecution, by making an eloquent and
effective statement Of the circumstances of
the murder, which engaged the breathIess
attention of the Judge, Jury, and spectators.
The Judge said it was usual here TO have
openings made on both sides, before any of
of the evidence was presented. The coun-
sci for the defence would prefer to reserve
their opening till the case for the prosecu-
tion closed, which was granted. The wit
nesses for the q. s., were then called into
Court, and some eighteen were sworn
Some delay occurred which the District
Attorney explained by saying that he was
waiting for awitness whom he wished to
examine first, and who was not in Court.
The witness, Jas. Reed, policeman, soon
appeard, was sworn, and took the stand.
Ills testimony in relation to the shooting
Of Key corresponds substantially with the
former reports.
Several other witnesses on the part Of the
prosecution were examined, whose testi-
mony was substantially the same. At 8
O'Clock the Court adjourned. An officer
was sworn to take charge of the Jury and
accommodations were provided for them at
the National Hotel. The District Attorney
says he will close the case for the prosecu-
ton before tomorrow noon.