Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-04-02
ON TRIAL FOR HIS LIFE.
TIE CASE OF TON WRIGHT.
Tragic Fate OF the PeddIer Rogerski.

The case OF Thomas Wright, colored, indicted
for the murder of the Polish peddler, Samuel
Rogerski, ON the Esd Of December last, was this
morning called for trial ihthe Criminal Court,
Judge Macarthur presiding. The circumstan-
ces Of this atrocious murder are vet fresh in the
minds Of our citizens; On the evening of the
found near some carts, in an alley south of d.
between Sth and 10th streets southwest, with
THE FACE AND HEAD HORRIBLY MANGLED.
inquest held, which was conducted in secret by
the coroner. At the inquest it came out that
the deceased was peddler, and had consider
bis body were the srsps nSsb Sad
been used by the murderer hand holds to
carry the deceased. The friends OF the victim
stated that he was once prominent man in his
own country, Poland, having held the response
BILE position of inspector on prisons. He LETT
there Tor political reasons, and came to this
country. 1t was also stated that few days
before his untimely death he received informa-
ton that he would be reinstated i'm his position
If he returned home. He had accumulated
some money ere, and was making preparations
to bring his familSOver this spring.
THE ARREST.
our detective officers took the case in hand
and in very little time after the discovery OF
about the place were carefully scrutiniZed.
There were several theories as to how and by
whom the crime was committed One OF these
was that persons who foaf about the wharf were
the murdeTers. Ii was not long before the
detectives, who were assisted by Lieut. Cess
f,Td, officers Lewis, Hughes, and others, made
up their minds that the murder was committed
IN a small house, near the corner of 10th and
streets, and after the house had been sspipet',
for some time, Detectives McDevitt and Coomes
entered it on Christmas night and took Wright
into custody on suspicion Of being the murderer;
and Margaret Wood, George Wood, and Samuel
Pembrey, as witnesses, and they were all COM
ted to jail.
OUTSIDE SCENES THIS MORNING.
This morning n large number 0f IN
cred about the court house and applied for adj
mission to the Criminal Court room, while
along the streets between the jail and the court
house crowds were gathered to see the prisoner
The bailifis were stationed at the court house
doors, with orders to admit none but members
of the bar, jurors, witnesses, and others who had
gathered about the Jail. The prisoner was
taken from the jail about 20 minutes after ten
O'Clock, and walked with an air Of bravado to
the court room. Lieut.. Kelly walked on one
side OF him, and Sergeant johnson on the other
and they were accompanied by Officers Powell
Felt, Stone, and Reardon. As the prisoner left
the building he turned towards 1t and shouted
TO the women prisoners at the windows
GOOD BYE GALS"
On emerging from the gate, noticing the crowd
he sang out, in loud voice and with a shocking
oath, - jest look at the niggers." Further
down he overheard a lady remark, "He walks
with an air of game ness, and turning to her he
made use of some grossly insulting language.
On being brought into the courtroom he was
shown to the witness room and had an interview
with his counsel, General s. s. Henkle and Mr.
+. c. Ingersoll; after which he was placed in
the prisoners dock.
Drawing n Jury.
The court was opened promptly at IL O'clock
and jurors having been called, his counsel, who
left the courl-ToOm a few minutes before, were
sent for, and they came in Immediately. The
prisoner was seated near his counsel, and the
clerk proceeded To draw the names OF the Jurors
from the hat, and each was sworn on his roir
dire.
mo frs4 dror, ,ros rra,r- p-oo,. r
TO questions he said that he had not formed or
expressed any opinion, or had any scruples, and
the defence receiving negative answer to
questions as to his having read Tue STAR OF
yesterday, and FOrney's Sunday Chronicle OF
Sunday last, he was accepted and sworn.
James +. Kelley had formed an opinion; set
aside.
Samuel c. Magruder had formed a slight
opinion from what he read when the defendant
was arrested; the opinion he had formed was
not sufficient to convict on, unless there was
some more evidence tending that way.
Judge MacATthHr asked III he had expressed
an opinion, and received a negative answer.
Juror did rot recollect that the name of
Wright was in the report he read; did not think
a newspaper report was evidence: thought he
could render perfectly impartial verdict.
Mr.. Heakle said that he was impressed that
Mr.. Nj. was fair and honorable gentleman,
but with the public mind in a state of ferment
on the subject of homicides, he would ask that
the prisoners rights be protected. The Juror
would 90 in the box with q partial opinion
W
bow to the decision OF the court.
Judge Macarthur said that it could not be
expected that a jury should be chosen rom per-
sons who did not read the papers. lie regarded
the juror fair one.
He was accepted and sworn.
Charles g. Graham had formed an opinion
fror the papers, but thought that he couid find
an inn artial verdict. He was set aside.
George p BObrer had read the papers but
lad formed no opinion therefrom; accepted
and sworn.
opinion, and it would require testimony to
remove the impression made; not accepted.
Edgar H. Bates had formed an opinion, but
not such one as would bias his Judgment. In
als opinion newspapers were generally right;
Richard NJ. Allen had formed an opinion.
Witness had the opinion that If the defendant
was the one who committed the crime. he
should not be hung, but be pulled to pieces by
mules. Challenged by defense.
Lemuel +. Clark had not a conviction; &C.
cepted and SWORN.
Charles G. Ball had formed an opinion, but
not such an one as would bias him. To de-
PENDANT he said he had read all the accounts
and had had some impressions as to the case,
but could give fair verdict; accepted and
sworn. l
John H. McBIair had formed a very decided
opinion; rejected.
Edgar Banks had formed no opinion, NOR had |
he any scruples as to capital punishment. To
defence he said that he had read the accounts
IN the papers and they made some impression
,n his mind, but he could give just verdict on |
he evidence; accepted and sworn.
Henry g. Chandler had no opinion about this
Ease, or scruples about capital punishment. He |
had not read the newspaper accounts; had
heard the prisoner talked about, as also the
murder. but paid no attention to them; chal-
enged by defence.
George i. Jillard had formed decided opin
ion; rejected.
VIM. 4. Solomon had formed no opinion, and |
had no scruples against capital punishment.
Could not read. He had been a contractor
under the board of public works.
,Mr. Henkle.-He must be good man. Swear
him.
&c was accepted and sworn.
Henry Il. Otterback had formed an opinion,
decided one; rejected.
Simeon Meade had not formed an opinion,
nor had any scruples against capital PUNISH
ment. Had read the accounts of this homicide,
as he does of them all; challenged by defence.
Thomas Foote had no opinion, nor scruples
against capital punishment; had read the news
papers, but could give fair verdict; chal |
lenged by defence.
Thos. r. Morgan had formed a decided opin-
ion; rejected.
John West thought that he had formed an
opinion, but could give just verdict. To de-
fence.-Had heard people say that Tom Wright
nd he focflx