Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1866-08-01
A Jury Of Lawyers,

VINO ever heard of such thing? De-
troit is noted for getting up things grand,
unique and original; but this last caps the
climax. Yesterday afternoon Daniel Dono-
van was brought up for examination at the
Police Court. charged with committing an
assault and battery on Policeman O'Mare,
who had arrested one Of his ( Donovan's) }
boys for some supposed offense, on the 9th
of July. The lad, who, by the way, is un-
healthy, and was much frightened at being
arrested, was taken to a house near by,
when his father came, and being excited,
gave the policeman tongue lashing, and
afterwards raised his hand to strike him, but
tie blow was not delivered. He was in turn
arrested, and the case came up as stated
Having demanded a jury trial it was found
on call that ncne were to be had outside OF
a ''coterie" of lawyers, who had assembled
for the purpose os abusing each others eli
ents There was no alternative. The case
must come off, and tie Deputy Blackstones
were mustered into the jury box, sworn to
well and truly try and true dehverance
make" &C., and the case commenced. Be
fore progressing far it became evident that
there were breakers ahead, and long before
the first witness was relieved, the jury follow
lowing out their impulses, took possession OF
the court, prosecution and defense. Having
badgered the witness ideas Of the case into
incomprehensiblity. and bewildered the jus
tice with more legal constructions than were
ever crowded between the lids Of compiled
laws. they commenced, naturally enough, a
quarrel among themselves. Forgetting that
they were impartial Judges, and not counsel
ors. they submitted arguments that were all
their own. and some that were not. Some
made frantic appeals to the Court Tor protec-
non. while others denied the motion. The
/ Court. however had wilted, and no wonder
/ for such Babel was never before heard with
in the walls OF justice, and maintained a
compulsory silence The jury called the
/ witnesses. and elected their evidence. until
at length no more could be found in the court
room. The defendants hair stood on end al
| The indescribable scene, and even the re-
porters were astonished The Prosecuting
Attorney attempted to sum up the facts, but
gave it up after telling them their duty
! The defendants council tried to he heard
but he. too, subsidized The jury were then
directed to retire for deliberation, but re-
| fused to enter the jury-room, ard proceeded
out into the fresh air in the courtyard, where
they distributed themselves in a circle on
the sward, and commenced to deliberate
By what means they attempted to arrive al
conclusion cennot exactly be stated, but
alter balloting for some time, it was found
that as many were in favor Of verdict fol
bigamv as assault and battery. One OF the
" good and true', produced from coat-tai
pocket patrons prayer-book," and gamt
at "cut-throat eucher was commenced
three on side. This produced disagree
ment as to the rules of the game. Draw
poker was tried, but the hands wouldn't I'll
on account of the size of one OF the jury
mans boot leg. Dice were tried, but they
were found to be loaded. One half took
walk across the street, while the other hal
tried to come to a conclusion. On their re
turn matters were found to be worse OF
than ever. A rice Uersa was tried, with tht
same result. AN hour thus passed, when a
length they announced that they had agreed
They returned to the courtroom. where tn,
foreman announced that they had made
compromise, by agreeing to be discharged
along with the defendant, but guilty as t
the man who sold the lager. A verdict wa
entered accordingly, and the court having re
cuperated, ordered an entry to be made, nev
er to empannel another jury OF lawyers
Detroit Free Press.