The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-21
LEGAL INTELLIGENCE.
The HILL MURDER.
Trial of George n. TwitcheII, Jr.-StiII
Another Venire.
FOURTH DAYS PROCEEDINGS.

j
Brewster al d Ludlow.-This morning another
large crowd assembled in front of the Court
House, to catch glimpse of the prisoner and
to be ready at the opening of the doors OH 3ers
were stationed at the entrance, and were more
efficient than on other occasions in preventing
the rush and disorder of the previous days OF
this trial. Few others than Jurors, witnesses
and members of the bar were admitted Into the
court room, and therefore there were space and
comfort, comparatively speaking.
The prisoner sat In the dock, looking we'll and
composed. His father and young friend we're
almost constant Conversation with him noi'ins
AT the regular hour of meeting Judges Brew
ster and Ludlow came upon the bench. aud
District Attorneys Sheppard and Hagert and
Richard Ludlow. Esq, representing The Com
monwealth, were In Court, and soon afterwards
the prisoners counsel made their appearance-
T. Z. Ransford, J. I. Pratt, o. H. T. Collis, John
O'Byrne, and William b. Mann, Esqs.
The The regular par panel Of Jurors SUMMONED ~ for
being In attendance, the Court discharged them
until Monday next.
the exhaustion OF the venire on Saturday
evening, was returned by the Sheriff, aud the
examination was commenced Tor the selection
OF the one wanting Juror, eleven Delng already
Theodore Warner called-Said he had con-
scientlous scruples against capital punishment,
and was challenged for cause by the Common
wealth.
scrupes, and was challenged by the Common
r. M. Moore had formed an opinion of the
lenged by the Commonwealth.
Daniel Mcintyre had conscientious scruples
and was challenged by the Commonwealth,
William M. J. Fury said he had no conscen
tiOus scruples and had formed no opinion,
the deputy OF Sherifr's deputy, and had ser we'd
some of the notices for jurors on this panel, but
had not served one upon himself
Mr.. Mann here challenged the juror for cause,
assigning the fact that this man was In the
Sherift's employ, and therefore part of the
Sheriff, and therefore should not have been
nnOnpd The challenge for cause
ruled, and the juror was challenged peremp-
Frank Clark, carpenter No. 633 wall street.
Third ward, said he had no conscientious
scIupes; had formed an opinion. However, he
had no opinion at the present time, and thought
he could try the case fairly and independently
of any opinion he had ever entertained. lie
was not challenged, and TOOK his seat In the
This completed the jury and the Clerk pro.
ceeded 10 swear eacn juror w ell and truly to
try, and q true dellverance make, between the
Commonwealth OF Pennsy lvania and George
s. Twitchell, Jr., the prisoner at the bar, whom
they should have in charge, and a true verdict
render according to the evidence"
The jurors and prisoner were told TO stand
up, aud the Clerk read to them the indictment,
of the jury, the prisoner at the bar has pleaded
not guilty, and for trial has put himself upon
guilty you will say so; If he Is not guilty, you
will say SO and no more. Good men and true,
stand together and hesrken to the evidence"
During this proceeding the prisoner stood
with his arms folded across his breast and
looked steadfastly at the jury firmly and with
Richard Ludlow, Esq, opened the case of the
Commonwealth, say ing:-"lt becomes my duty,
gentlemen of the jury, 10 open TO you the case
of the commonwealth VS. George S. Twitchell,
Jr., charged with the murder OF Mary u. Hin,
aud 10 draw your attention TO the iacts aud the
law that is to govern you in your deliberations
The duties you have assumed are OF solemn,
grave character.
and for his trial upon God and his country, aud you
have taken solemn oaths aud Aiiirmations well aud
fFuI IU n
grown of late In community to an enormous size.
ing at midday, at night; citizens have begun
TO- fear we vIS must 90 % our 9siy to to
speedy punishment. Here vile, unprincipled.
deVilish murder has been committed. On q
quiet Sabbath evening, in the heart OF this city,
Mrs. Mary T.. Hill was sent into eternity, and
her body was left behind covered with its own
blood, The facts attending this case Will re-
move all doubt as to It's degree.
Mrs. Mary r. Hill was the wife OF Saml Hill,
deceased, and resided at the northeast corner OF
Tenth and Pine streets, with Camilla h. Twit~
chcll her daughter, George y. Twitchell. her
daughters husband, and aservant girl named
Sarah Hamill. On the Sunday evening of the
murder this servant girl returned TO the
house from q visit and rang the door.bell.
and after words OF recognition she passed on to
the kitchen and yard, and there found the
bloody body of Mrs. Hill. We.will show you
that the prisoner, who resided in the mouse,
was the murderer. and will ask you SO to decide
the to strike terror to the hearts OF those
whose hearts are vile enough for such deed
Dr. Il. b Shapleigh, the COroner's physician,
sworn-I made post rnortent examination OF
the body of q lady at the northeast corner of
Tenth and Pine streets, about 10 o clock In the
morning oI November %; Mr.. Fletcher, q couple
OF officers and 8 detective, and DIR. Zantzlnger
were present; there were marks of violence
upon the head, principally upon the right side;
there was O. lacerated wound two aud q half
inches long in the right temple, just on the
front edge of II; over the upper edge OF the
right eyebrow tnere was confused straight
on the upper part OF the forehead there
was straight confused wound one
inch long, there were five small wounds
upon the forehead, half an inch each; above the
right ear there was another straight confused
wound; over the upper part of the parletal
wound; over the posterlor and upper part of
the parietM bone there was triangular wound,
the wings of which were three-quarters
of an inch long; on the upper part
of the left parietai bone there was
another confused wound two inches long;
cast of the head. (Che article was handed TO
the witness) This Is plaster cast or an ordi-
nary skull; / will proceed to mark In black
crayon the positions and descriptions or the
wounds 1 have spoken of-(whtch he did ac-
coTding TO the testimony first glven.) The right
the parietal bone, the anterior portion of the
temple bone. and the orbit OF the eye, were
comminuted broken into small pieces; In the
right temple there was q hole 10 the brain; IL
was large enough to admit my finger TO its
full length; IL penetrated downwards, inwards,
tending entirely across the head, through the
rlghL and left parietal bones, and the right tenn
pie, extending over the base OF the brain, divi-
ding The whole skull In two parts; there was an-
other irregular fracture across the back of the
head, on the left side; tns angle OF WounI