Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-05-30
THE sTAR-ROUTE TRIALS
Fairly Opened-AII of the CsnsPirators
Plead Not entity

WASHINGTON, May 29.-In tie Star-route
cases Wilson continued argument on motion
to quash in Turner's behalf. The ground
for the motion Is, that Turner is not charged
in the indictment with the commission of any
overt act in furtherance of the objects of the
conspiracy.
Mr.. Totten followed Wilson, and Kerr re-
piled for the prosecution.
Mr.. Chandler then took up the motion in
the Brady case.
After prolonged argument Judge Wylie
overruled the motion to quash the indict-
ments in the case of Turner and Brady, and
exceptions were taken to all the rulings.
Mr.. Cole presented an afiday it, sworn to
by Reerdell and the latter stated that he abso-
lutely knew of the alleged misconduct of
the jury. 1t was read.
Judge Wylie manifested the greatest in
dignation as the reading proceeded, and
interrupted Cole to say that to his own
knowledge it was wholly untrue. eff that
paper is filed 1 give you warning I will
direct Reerdell to be prosecuted for perjury"
said the Court.
Mr.. Cole endeavored to explain that it was,
perhaps, his fault inasmuch as he drew up
the affidavit and Reerdell had signed it in a
hurry. Perhaps he thought he was swear
ing to his belief, not his knowledge" said
Cole. But the paper had already been fled
and the Court refused to allow its with
drawal, leaving the defendants visibly dis
turbed.
Mr.. Bliss said there was some natter in
ReerdelPs motion which should be called to
the attention of the court, such, for instance,
as the charge that the grand jury met on
May 18th, when the court was not in session.
The Court said that this was true, but the
presehtment was made on another day, and
there was nothing in the Indictment to show
that it had been considered on that day.
Mr.. Merrick then asked that the defend
ants be called upon to plead, and the Court
ordered them to stand up in body and
plead. Pleas of not guilty were entered by
all the defendants.
number OF other motions were made by
the defense and overruled by the Court with
out allowing them to be read.
Mr.. Wilson renewed his request that the
prosecution inform them under which indict-
ment they were to be proceeded against.
Mr.. Merrick declined to do this and Wilson
appealed to the court for an order of ,aolle
prosequi of the first Indictment, because by
their statement it appeared they were alike.
The prosecution objected to this, saying there
might be further distractions placed in the
way OF the trial, and the Court would zee
that the defendants were not twice tried for
the same offense. The Court said the de-
PENDANTS were in no jeopardy from the first
indictment If they proceeded with this
After the trial had begun, the sureties I'M
der the first Indictment were released.
In answer to a reference by Wilson, while
fling another motion in Reerdels behalf to
the latter's alleged confession, the Court said
that the confession of one conspirator could
not be held as evidence against the other. II
he had made a statement during the progress
of the conspiracy that would, however, be
good evidence. 1t was likely that this trial
would be long, tedious and expensive, Judge
Wylie thought, and it would require a close
watch to prevent the admission of unneces-
sary evidence. There were other Jail cases
which should be tried before this, and he
would therefore take up this trial on Thurs
day next.
The court then adjourned.