Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1881-11-23
TRYING THE ASSASSIN.
Getting a Jury an the Case Of Guiteau.
GETTING THE JURY.
WASHINGTON. Nov. IA. 1881.

four OF the panel stated distinctly and
! finally that they had opinions which
no evidence could change, and they
were speedily excused, The fifth
seemed all right until asked if ne had
any scrpples as to capital punishment
/ He smiled as he answered in the affirm.
ative, and seemed glad to get out OF it
The sixth thought he could give q
verdict in accordance with evidence,
though he had repeatedly said ht
should hang the prisoner. This man
was in the hardware business Mr.
Scoville said the Juror was not want.
ed. The next man was a mechanic
He had an opinion not very decided,
but thought he could give fair yer,
dict. Mr. Scoyille asked 10 his politics
and religion. Judge Porter, Of the
prosecution, objected. Mr.. Seoville
said he desired to know something Of
the Jurors conscience before knowing
whether he might exercise the right to
a peremptory challenge That was oil
he was driving at He was willing to
let that question rest until he could
present authorities This man was
VIM. p. O'Donnell, and in his case the
defense made their first peremptory
challenge. The eighth was excused
because he had held firmly to the
opinion formed Immediately after the
shooting, and the ninth man was John
p. Harlin, well known restaurateur
of Washington He answered all
questions satisfactorily; some as to
whether he Eeld to any infdel belief
He was accepted by the defense and
was duly sworn as the first juror. John
A. Van Duron seemed qualified unless
in that he had sort of prejudice
against insanity defenses On this
ground the defense ordered their third
peremptory challenge Hiram Trimble,
the next man on the panel, said he
never allowed himself to be influenced
by newspapers. He investigated things
for himself and was satisfied that Gui-
tesu did the shooting, but not as to
whether he was guilty of murder. Col.
Corkhill said he was too much of an
investigator for this jury and be was
excused. This exhausted the panel.
An order was issued for a new panel
of seventy-fve citizens.
Five jurors were obtained, viz ::
j. p Harlin, restaurant keeper; Fred
w. Brandenberg, cigar maker Chas.
g. Stewart, flour and feed dealer. Hen
ry j. Bright, retired from business :;
Thomas III. Langley. grocer.
GUITEAU CUTS ANOTHER CAPER
AT this point Guiteau arose and
stated that be should like to make a
speech tomorrow evening. The court
told him he would be given chance
TO be heard in his own defense.
Guiteau-But this must go in now
Your Honor, as it must influence pub
lie opinion.
The Court-That's not what we are
here for.
Colonel Corkhill said he hoped the
Court would insist on the prisoner
keeping still.
Guiteau-Never, Colonel l know
my business, and | hope you do yours.
He was finally quieted by the officers,
but be managed to get his written
speech into the hands of a reporter,
who started for the door Mr.. Scoville
had the reporter stopped, and tue pa
per was returned Mr. Scoville said
the paper was not given out with the
consent of counsel.
1t having been agreed that the sit
tipgs of the Court should be from 10
A. NJ. to p NJ. daily, allowing half an
hour for recess, the Court adjourned.
IMPRESSION OF GUITEAU's CONDUCT.
Guiteau's performances in court to-
day seemed to have convinced few
persons that be Is really crazy, but the
general impression is that he overdid
his part; that the same shrewdness
with which he planned the assassna-
tioh and his escape from the mob
prompted him to his line of conduct
this morning, with view of backing
up his plea of insanity by his actions.
He was undoubtedly much excited,
especially when two policemen seized
him lie threw them off violently, and
told .hem to mind their own business,
that he proposed to conduct his own
case. The course of Mr. Robinson, the
associate counsel, in asking for post.
ponement and for additional counsel,
without consulting Mr., Scoville, his
chief, is commented upon as unusual
in practice. Mr. Scoville says such a
proceeding is unheard of, and that he
will retire from the case if Mr. Robin
son is permitted such high handed
course. Mr.. Scoville was very indig-
nent in court, and was only paciied
by the assurance of the judge that
nothing should be done without con-
sulting him. The beginning Of the
trial was full of incident and excite
ment.
SECOND DAY.
WASHINGTON, November 15.-The
pressure to obtain admission to the
court room this morning was notably
greater than yesterday. After the
usbers had exercised the right of selec-
ton, and admitted two or three score
of well dressed, respectable looking
people, (including Pennsylvania
member of Congress accompanied by
ladies', the. doors were thrown open
and there was sudden and impetuous
influx of representatives of the rougher
element of society. The five jurors
sworn yesterday were early in attend.
ance. The Court was formally opened
few minutes past ten o'clock, and I'M
mediately afterwards the counsel 10
! the case and the brother and sister Of
/ the prisoner entered. After the lapse
/ of few minutes Guiteau was hurried
into the court room in the custody Of
half dozen policemen and deputy
marshals The handouts were remov'
ed, and he shook hands with his sister
and brother, and took q seat reserved
for him between his counsel. Mr.