Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-11-12
THOMAS CLEARY,s SLAYER


 Presses Judge and Jury-The Fist
 Days Proceedings.
 It was not the bloated face of a whishy drinker, nor the hardened one of a crrn- inal, which greeted the view of 5he assembled crowds in the court room his morning on the re-opening of the crlni- nal term. February 25 Terrence Ic- Keirnan of Union City was free mn, although almost a total wreck fDm drink. Thomas Cleary was then livng in Naugatuck and with no idea that5he following day he would be lying col in death. Yet such was the case and DOT young Cleary is now numbered with he dead while his slayer is in the hand of his lawyers who are making strng efforts to save his life. The Terrace McKiernan who committed the crinp in the early spring and the neatly dresed and innocent looking man who sat between Sheriff Gates and Deputy Sheriff Konold to-day appeared tc be two different persons. Yet they we're one and the same.
 McKiernan watched the jurymel as each in turn was challenged by his council. He moved his fingers nervously and paid deep interea to the different proceedings. His pale .oun- tenance and nicely trimmed hair and moustache, his cheeks which were rather sunken as if he was suffering from consumption, created fav.rable impression on judge and jury alike
 Accompanied by the sheriff ano dep- uty sheriff McKiernan had cone up from New Haven on the 9:15 train, It was thought better to bring him up on; that train as his aged father was expect ing to get here on the later train, and McKiernan's counsel decided it would be detrimental to the nerves of the ac- cused should the father and son meet. The counsel for the defense, H. R. Bald win and Judge Sweeney of Naugatuck and William c. Case of Hartford, are making strong efforts for their client and any little hitch at all in the start ing of the proceedings must be avoided.
 Each juror was rut under a strong battery of questions and not slip of the tongue was missed by the counsel for the defense. The first juror to face the bulwark of questions was Rufus II. Gill lette, farmer residing in Prospect. attorney were substantially as fellows |: Have you any conscientious scruples asre- gards capital punishment? Did you read accounts of the crime? Did you know the accused or the victim? Have you heard of the crime? Have you formed any opinion so as to bias your mind: After answering this array of questions he had then to encounter the quelie of the de- fendant's counsel and if he succeeded in his questioners that he was a suitable man to act as juror on a mur- der trial he was accepted. Rufus M. Gillette was accepted as No 1.
 John R. Platt another farmer from Prospect was the next put on the rack. L a o6 cd IL. the crime and Attorney Baldwin de- cided to reject him.
 Daniel J. Darlington, an iceman of Beacon Falls,- proved satisfactory to both sides and he was put down for No 3.
 Charles Carter, farmer of Beacon Falls, comparatively young man answered the question favorably and was seated in the jury box as No 5.
 Ransom Lounsbury, farmer of Beacon Falls, had an impression that a murder had been committed and had heard to remove that impression. He was excused by Attorney Case.
 Samuel r. Davis, farmer of Seymour, counsel and was rejected.
 Smith Tyrrell, mason of Seymour knew little too much to suit Attorney Case and he was given leave to retire.
 George B. Bristol, farmer of Middle bury and justice of the peace there, was accepted on both sides. He had served on jury in a similar case under Judge Sanford some 12 years ago.
 w. H. Dibble, farmer of Middlebury, was too well acquainted with the case having read the account in the DEMO- GRAF, not for it's politics but for it's news He was retired.
 Henry s. Atwood, farmer of Middle bury, was excused by Attorney Terry as was also Charles s. Brown, farmer of Southbury.
 William B. Mitchell, farmer of South bury, was excused by Attorney Baldwin.
 George w, Smith, of Southbury, prov ed not suitable to the counsel for defense and was excused.
 Henry B. Carter farmer, of Wolcott, was rejected by Attorney Baldwin.
 Shelton T. Hitchcock, farmer of Wol- colt, was excused by Attorney Terry.
 Franklin L. Davis, grand juror in the town of Oxford, had read the account, but had formed no opinion as to the crime. He was accepted by both sides.
 George k. Baldwin, farmer of Oxford, proved acceptable and was seated in the i jurors box.
 Gordon R. Crofut of Oxford, whose AIoiSA "co pCAoO1Ac1lly StCI1dluVcu WlGl father and had dealings with him was excused by Attorney Terry.
 Lewis Hitchcock, farmer of Wood bridge, was excused from jury duty.
 Cyrus Warner, farmer of Woodbridge, proved acceptable to both sides and was counted as one of the jury.
 Nathan P. Merwin, farmer of Wood bride, was accepted as the next juror.
 David Whitney, milkman of Derby, never heard or read of the crime. He had no feelings against the saloon business, except low places. He was accepted by the opposing attorneys.
 Jesse N. Humiston, a farmer in Cheshire, was excused because being a very strong minded man in his opinions.
 Joseph Andrews, a brass-worker in Cheshire, has served on juries several times. He was excused by Attorney Baldwin.
 Theron G. Smith, farmer of Milford. was accepted by both sides.
 Alfred c. Oviatt, farmer and teamster in Milford, read the account of the mur- der, but formed no opinion. He was accepted by the opposing attorneys.
 John P. Forbes, Tyler City, proved himself able to answer all questions and was accepted by both sides.
 The jury was completed at 2:30, and is as follows:
 John R. Platt, farmer, Prospect.