The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-18

Trial Of George =. and Camilla Il. Twifchel
y for the Murder Of Mrs. HiIi-Empanellins
Jury.
From the Philadelphia Evening Telegraph Of yesteI

Jury.
From the Philadelphia Evening Telegraph of yester
day.l
COURT OF OYER AND TERMINER.~
Judges Brewster and Ludlow: District Attorneys
Sheppard and Hagert; T. p. Ransf0rd, J. T. Pratt
Charles Fl. T. Coils John O'Byrne and william b.
This morning being the day fixed for the trial Of
George s. Twitchell, Jr., and Camilla E. Twitcheli,
his wife, for the murder OF mrs. Mary e. Hi crowds
OF people gathered about the court house to get an
early seat and perhaps glimpse OF the unfortunate
couple.
An hour before the court met every ave-
and at half-past nine O'Clock the hall and
stairway OF the court house presented most
disagreeabe scene, being filed to their utmost WIN
men, bootblacks, old women, young women ana
children eager for the door to open In order that
they might rush in to secure seat, where they
might take in greedily every little incident tnat
would occurs in this solemn proceeding, as children
at the doors OF menagere, where the most terrible
OF wild beasts are to be exniDlted. And tnis COLI ~
blocked that lawyers and even the judges VINO at
tempted to enter the front found the undertaking
win be prevented hereafter; indeed, Judge Ludlow
at the meeting OF the court sent for posse OF
policemen to keep the way clear. -
At ten O'Clock the prisoners were brought H. MRS.
Twitchell closely yelled and leaning on the arm OF
her husband and holding her head bowed down.
AS they passed along the centre aisle the spectators
on each side turned and gazed upon them with the
deepest interest and those who were seated on az
distance actually stood up on tiptoe to satisfy tne-
selves.
Judges Brewster and Ludlow appeared upon the
bench, and the prisoners counsel being present
court was opened at the usual hour.
District Attorney Sheppard arose and sald:-May
It please the Court this day was assigned Tor the
trial OF the case OF the commonwealth vs. George ;.
Twtchell, Jr., and Camilla 4; Twltche. The prs,
oners are now In court with their counsel, ana
therefore ask that jury be called
No objection being offered by counsel for the pri-
a e sk g Se Ssa bar % be-
he was interrupted by Mr.. William 3. Mann, VINO
said:-sMay 1t please your Honor, under The act OF
Assembly in such cases made and provided, Camilla
r. Twitchell moves for severance OF her case.'
Judge Brewster-The motion is granted.
Mr.. Sheppard now move that jury be called In
the case OF George $. Twtchell, Jr.
Mr. Cation, the clerk Informed the prisoner that
he sent to the bar far trial and that he was en-
titled to challenge twenty OF tile jurors peremptory
and as many more as he should have good cause for
challenging.
William Rogers, Juror, was called
Mr. Sheppard-Mr Rogers, have you formed or eX-
pressed an opinion as to the guilt or innocence OF
the prisoner. George ). Twitchell, Jr.Y
Juror have.
Mr. Sheppard-Do You now entertain an oplnonf
juror do.
Judge Brewster-Mr. Rogers, will now put to you
the question adopted by this court In Bergers case
affirmed atterward by the Supreme Court and used
in Probst's notwithstanding the opinion you
have formed, can you enter the jury box and decide
the guilt or OF ne prisoner upon ahe ev,
nuenced by the opinion or impression you say you
have formed
/ have formed.
Challenged for cause by the Commonwealth, and
challenge sustained.
George w. Ash called rs a juror. In answer to
question put by the District Attorney he said he had
formed and expressed an opinion; but in response
to the question by the Court he said he thought he
could try the case by the evidence alone, nrin-
fuenced by that opinion and therefore the challenge
OF the Commonwealth was overruled. But when
examined by counsel for the defence he said he
would be influenced by his opinion, was challenged
for cause by the defence, ana the challenge was sus
tained
Mr.. Lands called, said he had not formed or ex-
pressed an opinion. and had no conscientious
scruples this subject or capital punishment, and
was accepted as q juror.
After calling number OF other gentlemen, most
OF whom were incompetent because OF opinions.
the venire was exhausted without the obtaining of
any additional jurors. Eight were In the box.
Mr.. Mann here asked that the jurors who had been
selected should he sworn.
Judge Brewster said that was not the practice OF
the court.
Mr. Mann said that for the past ten years it had
not been the practice, but 1t formerly was and is
now that OF many or our counties, and he knew no
reason why it should not be so: for these gentlemen
though chosen "a competent would be sent out and
Kept together until the beginning OF the trial, and
would not have resting upon them the obligation OF
an oath.
The Court preferred adherng to the practice Of the
court sanctioned by their ancestors, ana overruled
the motion.
Mr. Hagert then moved the Court to send for the
Sheriff and direct him to draw from his wheel 400
names from which to select eighty talesmcn, which
The proceedings being suspended, a number OF
,crsons, men and women, no doubt friends OF the
gathered about the dock and engaged in
conversation with them. Mr.. Twitche was dressed
With more care and preciseness than upon his pre-
Tious appearances in court, and Mrs. Twitchel was
ttlred In deep mourning. They appeared collected
pd evinced no more than ordinary interest in any
Hing that occurred.
AT the close OF our report the Sheriff was drawing
he special venire.