Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-15
Method of smpaneliinx Jurors.

To ne Editor Of the DtsDdtn:
The refusal of the Coroner in Frede-
ricksburg TO admit reporters into the
MAYORS Office while the witnesses were be-
ing examined at the inquest over the body
of Mr.. McCracken issaid TO have created
quite stir" amongst that innquisitlve out
highly appreciated class of newspaper
men. /, however, think his action emil
nently proper and should be followed by
every coroner in similar circumstances. In
trials for felony it is very common to ex-
clude all the witnesses from the courtroom
except the one on the witness-stand, but
if the testimony of witnesses has been
taken down by reporters. and pub:
lished to the world, what good
Moreover, we cannot help forming some
opinion in accordance with reports in
circulation, but such reports are so often
false or exaggerated that no positive opln-
ions should be formed from them. For my
part make il rule to believe only about
half hear, and not by any means all see
in print. But when the evidence OF
sworn witness is taken down by reporter
and published the case is different. In
this day.. when almost every intelligent
man in the community reads paper, he
must from such evidence form o decided
opinion of the guilt or innocence of the
suspected person, and thus become dis
qualified for serving on the jury according
TO the present method of impanelllng
juries. :.
The foregoing remarks are only prelimi-
nary to the main object have in view IN
making this communication, which Is to
call the attention of the public, and espe--
cially of the legislators, to the manner OF
selecting Jurors for the trial OF persons acs
cused of felony. By the present mode or
asking them if they have formed and ex-
pressed an opinion as to the guilt or inno-
nence of the prisoner" the most enlight-
ened and intelligent of the community are
excluded from the jury-box and the lgno-
rant and debased are admitted. That
may have been proper when news
paper was a rdrd duis in any community,
but not now. Such course, together
with the tricks of the lawyers in putting
off the trial as long as possible, technical
exceptions. appeals TO higher tribunal,
&c, have destroyed the confidence of the
people in the courts, and led to the resort
to lynch-law even in this old State of Vir-
ginia. In my young days such a thing was
heard of only in the outskirts OF the set
Elements in our country. and was regarded
with horror by all classes, but 10 now be-
coming common all over the country.
In all cases where the penalty is loss OF
liberty the only question asked the juror
bar fair andimpartial trial accordingto the
law and the evidence ?" and when the penal-
ty is death the additional question, "Areyou
opposed TO capital punishment in oil
cases?" Not being lawyer, ] do not
know whether the present practice is pre-
scribed by legislative enactment or is only
a rule of the court, but, at any rate, /
think the Legislature ought to prescribe
the method, so that when life and liberty
are in jeopardy the most discreet, intelli-
gent, honorable, and conscientious men in
the community may DO impanelled to
serve on the jury. 3.
LAscAslER ooUsrY, March 6, 1891.