Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-04-08
GRAVES TRIAL.

State vs. James It. Graves. Trial IL
Circuit Court for st. Mary's County
for the burning of the house of VIM
Burch on the night of 3rd January
1872 His Honor, Judge Ford, pre-
siding. J. Parran Crane for State
Combs & Downs and Blackstone & Nor.
gan for defence.
April 1st, 1875. Prisoner was ar
raigned and plead not guilty. Motion
made by defence to swear the jurors on
their roir dire. The Court then pro-
ceeded to empannel the jury, with the
following result: Albert Burch was
first called, and in answer to the ques-
ton of the Court, said that he had
formed or expressed no opinion in re-
gard to the guilt or innocence of the
prisoner. Challenged by defence. Jno
| V. Camalier had formed or expressed
no opinion and was sworn as first ju-
ror. Barzilla Jones sworn as second
Juror. z. Mattingley challenged BY
defence. Chas. E. Cough sworn as
third Juror. Geo. w. Morgan sworn
as fourth juror. Giles F. Dyer sworn
as fifth Juror. James F. Abel chal-
lenged by defence. I. L. Harrison
challenged by State. J. Chew Burch
sworn as sixth juror. j. Felix Morgan
sworn as 9TH juror. J. D. Thompson
challenged for cause. A. M. Graves
challenged by defence. ]. S. Joy chal-
lenged by defence. J. s. Fenwick sworn
as eighth juror. Jno. T Stoddert sworn
as nAth juror. Geo. w. Smoot sworn
as tenth juror. II. d. Abellchallenged
for cause. b. +. Abel challenged by
defence. J. NJ. Wilkinson challenged
by defence. J. P. Greenwell sworn as
eleventh juror. John l.. Abel chal-
lensed By defence. A. c. Tennisson
challenged by defence. Geo. N. Mich
OILS challenged by defence. Ut. Cough
challenged for cause. James II. ALI
stan challenged By defence. J. A. JAR
Doe challenged by defence. VIM. M.
While challenged by defence. c. w.
Armsworthy challenged bv State. Nor
timore Norris challenged by State. c.
]. Durant challenged by defence j.
Il. Owens challenged for cause H. S
Jarboe challenged by defence. J. f.
Heard challenged by defence. DIR. H.
A. Ford challenged for cause. T. +. c.
Herbert challenged hv State. ]. Alfred
Jarboc sworn as twelfth juror.
Jwrors.-John Y. Camalier, Barzilla
Jones, Charles T. Cough, Geo. w. Nor
gan, Giles L. Dyer, ]. Chew Burch. J.
Felix Morgan, j. Simms Fenwick. Jno
L. Stoddert, Geo. ". Smoot, j. Phili,
Greenwich and J. Alfred Jarboe.
The jury were then charged BY the
Clerk and the States Attorney made
the opening statement for the State.
Nay II please tie Court oRd Gentlemen
Of the fury Il approach the trial of the
case row before YOU with feelings OF
diiiidcuce and deep regret-diiiidenc as
to nv ability TO discharge to the full!
extent, and no further, that duty which
/ owe to the State of Mary land and to
this community-regret not only that
nv efforts to-day are to be directed
against one in the first blush Of man.
hood, the pride it NAV be of widowed
mothers heart, surrounded by friends
and relatives among the most respecta-
bic of the county, himself, until this
unfortunate occurrence, full of hope, of
life and bright anticipations for the flu
ture, but because this trial will open up
and expose to the full glare of the world
affairs and events in the history of pri-
vate families, which belong only to the
domestic circle. And in this connection,
with the view of showing the motive for
commission of the crime with which the
prisoner at the bar is charged, it will
be my unpleasant duty to place before
you the image of beautiful and lovely
girl, the innocent cause. perhaps, of all
this trouble-for whose love the accus.
ed and young Burch, for whose use the
house mentioned in the indictment was
built, were rivals, but who now sleeps
the sleep of death. cut off it may be BY
the very act which brings this young
man to answer at the bar of his coun-
try. am here to represent the State
to see that as far as in me lies the laws
of the State are vindicated, while, ut the
same time, the rights of every person
charged with their violation are protected
l shall endeavor, therefore, TO perform
that duty as well with fairness to the pris
oner ~ with fidelity to the community anC
State, which youa and alike represent. II
the opening of this cause l shall con-
! fire myself to as plain and simple state
meat of the evidence which we expec
to lay before YOU as will facilitate your
inquiries and indicate to YOU the ground
upon which the Grand Jury, acting ur
der the same sanctions which have nov
been imposed upon you. have made thei
presertment against this prisoner
vii! now for YOUR convenience, gentle
men, state. in the order in which the,
occurred. the facts which make up III,
links in the cEain of circumstances tha
point conclusively to the prisoner as tn,
party guilty of the crime with which h,
Is charged.
After an able recapitulation by tn,
States Attorney Of the facts in the cas-,
and the circumstances connected there
with. the following witnesses were callet
upon the part Of the State:
Charles kaufman, sworn. Was at tn,
house Of VIM. Burch on the night of 3r,
Jan. 1872. saw the house on fire, wen
10 the fre, house vas not then consum
cd, house seemed TO have been fired b.
pouring coal oil on it. saw the streak
If FIRE rs if following the oil, house wa
completely destroyed. Cross-examined
! Doesn't know whether it was coal oi
or not, smell Ike coal oil.
Ferdinand Burch. sworn. Is ason o
Wm. Ba-ch, was not at home ON tn