Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-12-23
Trial by Jury in CalifOrnia-A Jury
mans Arguments

~ Will po Tecolecteu tnat Tue jury ID Tue
OConnor murder case were sent out to de-
lberate on their verdict about one o'clock on
last Saturday afternoon. They were brought
into court several times, but stated that they
were unable to agree, aud were always sent out
again. His Honor, Judge McKlnstry, was
evidently o. the opinion that there was moth
ing 10 the case which would prevent an
honest jury from agreeing on verdict For
O day or two past it was generally under
stood that the jury stood eleven for convic-
tion to one for acquittal The name of this
one appeared to be known, and his standing,
BY those who knew him, was freely discussed.
At Ills o'clock yesterday afternoon the jury
we're brought into court. All looked weary
and exhausted
Judge McKinstry stated that if any of the
jury had anything to cay he would listen TO
them.
William Hosford, one of the jurors. aross
and addressed the court substantially as
follows:
was told last night that If did not
decide so and so by another jurymaD, it
would be worse for NE. This morning, while
lying in bed, this man (pointing to MIR. How
ard) stood over me, and threatened If l did not
decide with him be would shoot me or cut me
to pieces. Under those circumstances, if
should render verdict in accordance with
the desire of this gentleman it would bo very
wrong tor me to do 20 and l don't desire to
sleep there again, because don't thpk the
mau is ssue, from the way he has acted
Fl. y. Howard-I deny the charges there
is no truth in them.
Judge McKinstry-I don't care about hear
ing the merits OF the matter. if there is any
juror who has any weapons on his person, let
MIN surrender aem at oCce to the sheriff.
Mr.. Howard then took from Lis vest a
bowie knife, and from his back pocket Dor
ringer, which he handed over to the sheriff.
judge McKlustry-It shocks lhs sense Of
decsDcy that q juror should 60 into the jury
room with weapons.
NJ. Howard-I DEFY the charges. I have
carried srms sioce tho law was repealed
William Observation-Disclosures, he stood
over my bed this merDing with pcnknifs
and did the same thing. Rather than 20
there and slsep another night in bis company.
will agree with them upon verdict Ina 10
it upder protest and l will do it against my
conscience.
Fl. G. Howard-It is not 20.
William Ho.ford-Your Honor osn ark the
Juror aonssiie OF m,.
judge McKinstry asked what their pros
poets we're.
Juror-I desire to represent to your honor
that an agreement is Impossible. we have
stood eleven 10 one stree last Sunday.
Hcsiord-Wby don t you say how we stood
divided on he vsrdict.
judge McKisatry-T defendant will have
to b> tried, and [ do not desiro to comment on
tho ease. did not suppose there was any
thips in the case to prevent you from hndlnk
verdict. The law aupposcs that when you 30
out to deliberate, you will agree. 1t Is strange
thst jsror should g. 10 tho jury room armed,
and on the other hand, the story told seems
exs.ediusly improbable It could not be that
ten isrors would st by and see one OF their
number sgsaiIed What is the country o0ln-
inr TO if sueh things arc carried on? Gentle
men, you are discharged. l will state that
.ooD siter the jury went out WAS tod IN q
quasi way that there was man on the Jury
that would hang italia Californian.
Apropos of q story told by its New York
correspondent, the Philadelphia Press makes
= capital suggestion Is 10 the way IN which
actors might 30 identified at banks when pre-
.epting cheeks to be cashed. The story was
that Joe. Jefferson not being able to Get the
money on . check drawn to his order because
nobody knew him, turned to the teller and
..id in tones of Rip Van Winkle, "if my little
dor Eshneider was here he would know me. .
The uvssstion is that if the fooSlDg actors
sboud iud themselves in similar predlca-
nsnt, MIR. Owens need only lay dowo ms
cheek ard say, jess 80 Judge; Lucille
Wsstsrn might ory, - God . God ! me
che i'd, me ohe-i'drep Pauline Markham
might rut her foot on the counter; and Ei1ln
Forrest need only rush into the bank, seize
the teller hy the throat and yell Liar and
slave" No doubt the money would be ln-
ssntly forthcoming.