The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-05-23

The Jury ImpaDneIed at bloomington
Other PrelimInarfes OF the Trial.
Especial Correspondence of the Sentinel

Other Prelimrnarfes of the Trial.
Especial Correspondence of the SENTINEL
BLOOMINGTON Ind, May 16.-The whole
OF the afternoon of yesterday was taken up
in impanneling the jury in the Jones-Tolli-
yer case, but at last II men were found who
had not heard any of the former trial; had
never read of the case; had not formed OF
expressed an opinion as to the guilt or inno-
-cence of the defendants, and had no con-
scientious scruples in regard to enforcing
the death penalty. After they were sworn
to try the cause, Judge Robinson, after in
structing them to the necessary caution
to be observed by them in not allowing
themselves to form an opinion until the
whole of the evidence was in and the case
given to them by the court informed them
that they would be, in a sense, prisoners for
the next two weeks; would have their ply
steal and mental powers severely taxed, and,
a. individuals, had met with misfortune
in being selected to try this case but that it
was duty they owed the state, to impair
tally try the cause; to listen attentively and
calmly to all of the testimony; to
remember all of it if possible, and
owing to the importance of the question
which would be given them to decide, to not
grow weary until the end. The jury is adj
mitted to be good one, and is composed OF
the following gentlemen: Christian David
son, Henry Mercer, Mark Smith, Henry
Smith, James L. Kirk James b. Bender,
Fields, Mitchell Mathers, David Miller and
Jessie Kinds.
Before the jury was sworn in to try the
cause Major Tucker. for the defense, desired
to know of the court if they would be fur
nished means to bring Abe Jones here, an
important witness for whom there had been
an attachment issued, but whom, it was just
learned was in Nebraska. The court said
that if the witness come his expenses here
ard back home would be allowed
by the court, but he did not
feel warranted in advancing money for
that purpose This witness has cut an i'm
portant figure in this case. Although of the
same name as the defendant he is in no way
related At the time of Moodys murder be
was keeping saloon in Mitchell, and at the
preliminary examination testified that on
that night Bent Jones and, perhaps, two 9TH
ers of the defendants were at his saloon be-
fore after and at the time the deed was COM
mitted A short time afterward his saloon
was attacked at night by a mob, and in at
tempting to interfere, he was shot and dan
gerously woundea. At the November term
of the court here, when this case was called
up for trial, affidavit was filed by the de-
PENDANTS for a continuance on account of the
absence of this witness, in which it was
stated he was unable to attend the trial
by reason of wounds received at that time,
but when the writ of hdbeds corpus on appli-
cation for bail was heard, some two or three
bound to produce the witnesses. he put in
an appearance and testified. An officer was
sent with an attachment last week to Evans
vile, where he is and where he was supposed
to be, but he could not be found. His sister,
who is principal of the high school in Evans
vile, and who bears an excellent reputation,
told the officer she knew where her brother
could be found; had furnished him money
to get him away but that she would not tell
his whereabouts, because she did not intend
him to have anything further to do with this
case or the parties concerned.
Bent Jones has TODD his confinement we'll
and looks healthy and flush, but his manner
seems rather more nervous and anxious than
on the former investigation, being constant
~ on the alert and watching the movements
of the attorneys and other parties with the
utmost vigilance.
Miers, Judge Wilson, Captain Friedly, Bus
kirk Il Duncan and Buskirk and Megennity.
of Paoli.
The defense is represented by Major
Tucker, Judge McNutt, Burton IL Burton r.
A Fulk and James II. Rogers
Before the trial was proceeded with this
morning, Judge Robinson had Alonzo John
son, against whom jury had returned a
verdict of guilty upon a charge of black
mail, and sentenced him to one years i'm
prisonment in the penitentiary and to pay
fine of one dollar This is the first case of
blackmail ever tried by this court.
The jury in the Jones case was then put
in the box, and the entire forenoon has been
occupied by the attorneys in stating the
case. R. w. Miers stated the case for the
state, in which he did himself great credit.
The case for the defense was stated by Judge
McNutt in which he surpassed himself
Taking into consideration the fact that it
was only preliminary statement of the de-
Tense, and the judges recent bereavement, |
am safe in saying he has seldom equaled this
effort The states witnesses will be put
upon the stand this afternoon, and the ex-
animation of witnesses will proceed as rap
idly as possible to the close.