Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1885-01-01
FOR HIS LIFE!
Emmett Mitchell
On Trial for the Murder
of Chas. G.. Griffith.
Impaneling a Jury-The Case in
Progress.


On the I'd Of last September. commenced
in common pleas court at IL: :25 O'Clock
on Monday morning, before Judge st
Clair Kelly.
After Sheriff L. C. Sedwick had open.
cd court, the judge directed that Much
ell be brought into court, which was
done, and he took his seat by tue side OF
his ceunsel, Hon. L. Danford, with has
brothers, A. II. and w. Mitchell, sitting
near by.
The prisoner was neatly dressed in
dark clothing, and, although somewhat
pale and nervous, looked remarkably
well. 1t was the iTSt time since the
awful deed was committed that he had
looked upon the faces of his old neigh
bor5, and doubtless as he realized the sit
uation, there were pangs Of regret, un
known to the curious lockers on, who
thronged the court room.
Mr.. w. L. Campbell, of Steubenyille
was appointed official sreBograpber in
this case, and was sworn by Judge Kelly
The names of the SO jurors on the spe
cial panel were called by the Clerk, all
answering except two, and the first
twelve on the list present, were invited
to seats in the jury box. The Court ad
monisAed all the jurors to keep them>
selves free sDd impartial, and without
preconceived opinions, and took a recess
for dinner.
AFTERNOON.
At IL :55 p. m, the court re-assembled
and the work of selecting jury began.
Joseph Hobbs was the first to be call
ed. and qualified without challenge OF
either side, and was sworn.
L. G. Mercer was next called, and was
set aside on peremptory challenge by
defense.
John Amarine and John Alum, al
though neither had formed an opinion
were peremptorily challenged by the de.
Tense, and stood aside.
Archibald Rusk had formed an opin
ion from reading testimony in paper, but
thought if testimony was different would
not affect his verdict. He was excused
for cause by the defense.
Isaac Mellott had formed an opinion
and challenge for cause was sustained
John J. Powell was on the grand ju-
ry that found the Indictment, and was
set aside by the attorney for the State
for cause.
No objection was made to Arthur
Gregg by either party, and he was sworn
as d juror.
L. q. Parker, who sat on the jury
which hung Tom Carr, was the next
juror called, ,and he was affirmed as ju-
rofSWithOut objection.
Allen Bailey said his reason was OPP
posed To capital punishment. Although
raised Quaker, his conscientious scru
pies would not preclude him from find
ing verdict of guilty if the evidence
warranted it. Juror was challenged fol
cause by the attorney for the Stale, and
the challenge was overruled. The State
then challenged the juror peremptorily
and he was made to step aside.
II. w. Bigley had formed an opinion
from newspaper reports, but was accept.
able to both sides, and was sworn.
John Moore had suit pending in
which Mr.. Danford was attorney against
him, and besides had formed an opinion
which be still entertained. He wa:
promptly excused for cause by the de-
tense.
Lambert Phillips had formed an opin
ion and still had it. Objection to him
for cause by defense was oyerruled, and
he was sent off on a peremptory.
H. w. SmeeZer was excused perempto
rily by defense.
AlonZo Portertield qualified, and was
sworn as juror without objection.
W. B. Gilmore had formed and ex-
pressed an opinion, and the State foI
cause challenged him; but the challenge
WAS not sustained: On. a peremptory
by defense Mr.. G. retired.
A challenge to w. II. Helpbringer by
the State for cause, relieved him frou
duty.
John r. Gibson having no opinion in
regard to the case, was sworn as juror
without challenge.
L. NJ. Fogle had no opinion and had moi
read about the case in the county paper:
didn't take them. Was peremptorily
challenged by the defense and stoot
aside.
William K Long expected that he had
formed an opinion. He was excused
peremptorily by tue defense.
Laban Lodge lived in the neighbor.
hood where the crime was committed
and had an opinion; he was excused fol
cause by defense.
H. R. BrowL had not formed an opin
ion, and no objections being urged, he
was sworn as juror.
Richard Cunard and Lewis Wharton
had not formed opinions, but both were
challenged peremptorily by defense, and
ordered to stand aside.
Joseph Conley had formed an opinion,
challenge 10y defendant for cause over,
ruled and exceptions noted. Juror chal
!eDged peremptorily by defense.
Edward \. Boggs was sworn as a ju
ror without objection.
David Thoburn bad formed an Opin
ion from reading the testimony in tht
CHRONICLE, and was excused for cause
by defense.
William Mcfarland had formed nc
opinion aud had no prejudice. He Wa:
challenged peremptorily by defendant.
Jos. y. Kennon was a cousin of tht
Prosecuting Attorney, and was excused
by defendant for cause.
Daniel McSwords, having no opinion
WAS accepted and sworn as juror.
Andrew Burkhart had formed nc
opinion. PeremptOrily challenged by
defense and excused.
Y. H. RowIes had an opinion, and was
dismissed by the defense.
John w. Myers had no opinion. but
was challenged by defense peremptoriiy
and stood aside.
The list of regular jurors being ex-
hausted, the names on the special venire
agreed upon by counsel, were called. and
w. \. Brown was the irst on :ne list
There being no objection to this Juror
he was sworn.
John C. Johnston was next called and
having no opinion, and there being no
challenge, he was sworn.
james McComas and T. G. Brown
in their order. we're peremptorily chal
Ieneed by defense aud excused.
David Cowan had an opinion, and was
excused by defense.
Wm. McCune was challenged peremp>
toriiy by defense, and was excused.
Cn4.l a.