Evening star., 1867-06-15

JutSe fleirepofnt SafQ TINS Indictment
charged The pfi oner with conspiracy. They
desired 10 question Jurors as to whether they
had feIms q an opinion relative to the guilt or
innocence of those VINO were tried by the Mil
itary Commission, because one person could
not be guilty of conspiracy, and if person
had expressed an opinion as to the guilt or in
nocehce OF the others, he was not qualified as
juror
MIR. Bradley.-They did not In ten to discuss
that question, but would submit the matter to
the Court, and let 1t be decided by the Court
without argument.
Judge WylIe said he called at the residence
of Judge Fisher last evening and this very
question was spoken of, they concurred in their
view and thought objection to a Juror on the
or innocence OF the others was not q valid 0b-
lection. 1t was the In tention OF Judge Fisher
so to ule, and as they agreed on this point he
would oyerrule the question.
Judge PierIepoInt.-Can we ask the Juror
other questions to his competency.
The CouTt-Certaiply.
Judge Pierrepoint then questioned Mr.. Van
Riswick as to being resident OF this city
and a tax payer, which were ans wered in the
Affirmative. Judge p. then stated he would
put The question overruled SO as to have the
same put on the record, and asked the follow
Ing question:
Have you formed and expressed an opinion
touchiD G the guilt or innocence Of those charged
with the conspiracy
Mr.. Bradley-Don't answer that
The Court.-That question is overruled.
The prisoner was then told to look upon the
Juror, anC the juror upon the prisoner, and the
questions being asked, do you challenge, Mr..
Van Riswick was challenged by the prosecu-
ton.
Joseph F Brown had formed an opinion
from reading the testimony; was afraid he
could not act impartially, having formed such
opinion. Excused.
Thomas Berry had formed an opinion;
thought he could act impartially from the law
and evidence Accepted and sworn.
John H. Crane had formed an opinion.
Could decide according to the law and evil
dence. Challenged by defense.
VIM. Hslmick was sworn, and in answer to
pressed an opinion from reading the proceed
ines of the conspiracy trial, but was not
biased. and did not think good citizen should
form opinions which would bias him. He en-
tertained conscientious scrup1es in regard to
capital punishment, and could not couscien-
tiously sit as a juror entertaining the feelings
he did In regard to capital punishment. He
Mr. George T. McGlue said he had formed
an opinion from reading and rumor, but that
opinion had been changed. He was almost
afraid to trust himself The Court decided that
he was competent, and he was challenged by
defense.
James McGrana had formed and expressed
an opinion. and he thought that those opinions
would bias him.
Judge Wylie-He is competent, gentlemen.
Challenged by the prosecution.
George A. Behrer answered that he had
formed and expressed opinions in regard to
the trial of the others, the conspirators He
did not think that those opinions would bias
him. He had no conscientious scruples in re-
gard to capital punishment He would like to
say that he could not have convicted Mrs.
Surratt on the evidence before the conspiracy
trial. He was sworn.
Christian q. Schneider had formed and ex.
pressed an opinion, but not such a one as
would prevent him from rendering Just YER
dict He was sworn.
Upton II. Ridenour had formed and ex-
pressed an opinion, and to decide on the law
m "a NO nnc1H Hs~o la
overcome, as he was strongly biased. He was
excused.
Isaac W. Ross ksd not formed an opinion as
10 the guilt or innocence of the prisoner, and
had no conscientious scruples as to capital
punishment
Mr.. Bradley called the attention of the
Court 70 the TACT that MIR. Ross was afflicted
with paralysis.
Mr.. Ross.--There Will be no difficulty about
that.
Mr.. Bradley-We challenge.
George A. Seufferle said that he had formed
and expressed an opinion, but not such q one
as would prevent him from rendering Just
verdict nor any scruples in regard to capital
punishment.
Challenged by prosecution
Thos. E. Lloyd had formed and expressed
an opinion on reading the proceedings of the
trial, and he thought that the bias in his would
make him Incomp etent. He was excused
Walter W. Burdette had formed an opinion
IN regard 10 the trial, but believed he could
give just verdict. He had been opposed to
not give a verdict when capital punishment
would be the sentence.
Frederick Bates had formed an opinion
from attending the trial and reading the pa
pers and thought the opinion formed would
bias him.
il Kidwell presented certificates from the
physicians that his services We're absolutely
necessary, as two of his clerks were sick with
typhoid fever-one seriously, and was ex-
cused.
Moses T. Parker formed an opinion at the
tna mi 70 fha y,,stt
OF the prisoner; but the opinion would not
prevent him from giving just verdict. Chal-
ienged by defense. -
Nicholas A cker hi ad formed an opinion as
tar back as the conspiracy, and read the pub
lished report of the trial but did not know
that it would affect him In making just ver-
dict.
Judge Pierrepont asked If he was an Ameri.
Mr.. A,-Partly SO and partly not. was
born in Germany.
ne presented certificate from DR.. Garnett,
that he was subject TO a disease which occa.
stoned somnambulancy or drowsiness
Judge Wylie.-ltwon't do to go to sleep on
John T. Mitchell said he had formed an
opinion from reading and from con versa
tion he had had with a witness on the con.
spiracy trial, and was excused. y
Jenkin Thomas presented the certificate of
Magruder, Of Georgetown, that he was afffict.
ed with rheumatism, and was excused
Joseph l.. PearSOn said that he had an i'm.
pressfOn of the guilt Of the prisoner, but not
so strong as would prevent him from giving
aJnst verdict Was opposed to capital pun.
ishment on circumstantial evidence
Mr. Bradley raised the point that he was not
a taxpayer, having only paid school tax
Mr Pearson saying he was housekeeper
the Court decided that he was competent,
The prisoner challenged him. A
s& Mr. Bradley asked to note exception to the
ruling OF the court. ass. : rr.= r.F
VIM BallaDtyne said that he had formed
and expressed an opinion, but did not think he
was so biased as to prevent him from rem dering
ajust verdict. He had no seruples as to capital
punishment.
Challenged by the prisoner
sick child.
Patrick Fleming had formed an opinion, and
verdict.
5 James {. Davis had formed no opinion, and
entertained no conscientious soruPles. Ac.
ceptPd and sworn EYTE
John Markriter presented a crtifcate of Dr.
Riley that ne was unfit to sit on jury, and
was excused EF-f :
Columbus Ale xander had formed an opinion
from reading the testimony, but would decide
according to the law and evidence; had no
conscientious scruples, but was opposed to
capital punishment. Gould render q verdict
OF guilty II the evidence justified it. Accepted
and sworn. & : . a
W. H Baldwin had formed an opinion from
reading The violence, and felt himself inca
pable Of serving. Not competent J.
lOhu w. Sims had pOI f0rn.d n inn.