The New York herald., 1870-03-24
TIE SLEEPY HOLLOW TRAGEDY.

Trial or Isanc Van Wnrt DuckhOut for tho
Murder Of Louisa DuckhOut nnd Alfred
RondnlI-How tho Prisoner Conducted Him
self In Court-Grcas DiAlculty in Obtaining
Jmsy.
The announcement that Isaac Van vart Buckhout
the Sleepy Hollow murderer, would be placed on
trial before the Circuit Court and Court OF Oyer and
Terminer at White Plans, Westchester county, yes
terday morning. had the effect Of attracting an
immense throng, LARGELY composed Of intelligent
citizens. which occupied every available por-
ton OF sitting and standing room on the
door and gallery Of the spacious court room.
On the bench were Justice Tappen, presid-
ing Judge; County Judge Robert Cochran and
Myron b. silkman and Stephen Billings. Justices OF
Sessions. District Attorney Dykman conducted the
case for the people. having for some unexplained
cause peremptorily declined the cooperation OF Mr.
Edwin James, who has been retained By the de-
ceased womans relatives 10 assist In the prosecu-
ton and to clear her memory from the foul charge
alleged by her destroyer who had sworn at the
altar TO love and protect her. Mr. James remained
In court during the day. but did not take any part
IN the proceedings. The defence was represented
by Messrs Francis Larxin, w. III. Robertson J. s.
Nlllard and Jackson Hy att
APpEARANCE OF THE PRISONER.
Shortly after ten O'Clock the accused was brought
into court by Deputy Sheriff Ford, which was the
signal for general hustle among the assembled
spectators each one being anxious 10 scal the fea-
lures OF BuckhOut, whose murder0us acts have
placed his name first on the darkest page the
cords OF Westminster county crime. The prisoner ap-
pc rec calm and uncOpcerned, his clear que eye,
Indicative OF shrewd integence-the very antlpOdc
OF mental notwithstanding but little room to
doubt that he 1ully realized his perlOus
position. With arms carelessly folded on
his breast the accused sat near his coun-
sci and closely watched each Juror VINO
was called, frequently indulglng IN q broad smile
when some OF those who were challenged expressed
their oplni0ns from memory that the alleged mur-
ders had been committed at different season OF the
year tnan the actual time when the tragedy oc-
CURED.
EMPANELLTNG A JURY.
difficulty not altogether unexpected was ex-
perienoed IN empanelling jury as from the enOr-
NIFTY OF the crime which has been discussed with nor
rOr thrOuR10uC the entire county few men could be
found who had not formed an opinion on the gui
innocence OF the prisoner IL was announced bv cOun-
sci for the defence at tho opening tnat they
denied everything relating tO the alleged crime
ana they consequently objected to every juror who
by reading or otherwise, mad been Impressed with
the belief that the accused had Killed tie parties
whose murder he is now on trla.. As o consequence
or this the regular panel was exhausted by twelve
O'Clock, at winch time only two jurors had been oo-
tanned. special panel Of ECO hundred jurors vas
then drawn from, which tedious proceeding occu-
pied the afternoon and evening, resulting In five adj
ditional jurors being empanelled, making the total
number seven Thus lar the prosecution mas ex-
haasted three peremptory challenges and the de-
fence eight An effort will be made to empanel the
remainder OF the jurors this morning.