The morning call., 1892-01-26
CURTIS ON TRIAL.
Taiesmen Examined But Not One
Juror Secured.
". W. Foote Broadly limited That the Police
Have Organized to Convict His Client
of the Murder Of Grant.

Tie rial OF NJ. b. Curtis the alleged slayer of
Policeman Alexander Grant which unfortunate
event occurred September 10th, was commenced
before Judge Trout yesterday morning
Mr.. Curtis came into court looking as spruce
and Jolly as a leader Of the german, ana few
would have suspected from his appearance that
he was on tIial for as serious an Otfense as muir
der Accompanying him was the formidable
array Of counsel who will defend him: George
A. knight. w. W. FoOte and j. \. L. Wilson.
The task OF selecting jury occupied the day,
and the result was anything but encouraging
q. Poulson was the first name called aud he,
after brief questioning by the District Attorney,
was passed.
"DO YOU know many OF the police force Of this
cliy? p" asked Mr.. FOote.
''No. 40 not; know very few" said the witt
ness.
Did you ever work at the TvOli Opera House
on Eddy street,"
81 aid l used to be on The door there"
"Did you know from your own knowledge that
Curtis the defendant here, was at that theater
on tie night OF September 10, 1891 ?"
Il so NOT, as ala not see him there"
DO you know Sergeant Bell, IN charge OF the
Folsom street station, between Fourth and
Flilh?'
Il do not"
PREJUDICED BY THE PAPERS.
j. r Jennings admitted that the papers had
preJudced him slightly, and he was accordingly
challenged By Foote. The Judge, however. was
not disposed 10 allow it.
T. J. l. Devlin had formed such a strong opin-
ion That II would take very convincing evidence
10 remove Il. Foote's challenge was allowed.
c. u. EsterbTO0k admitted that lie had talked
Win police men about the case.
Assistant District Attorney Htnkle objected 10
having the jurors questioned about their aC-
quaIntance With the police.
Your Honor" replied Mr.. FoOte warmly,
II want 10 know what the police force have been
doing 10 convict TIE prisoner. l want 10 know
whether they have bern around talking TO The
very jurors ia this case. Curtis has the conSti-
tuIi0ual right TO ascertain what has been said 10
this Juror about this trial. l want 10 know the
exact conversation The juror had with the po-
lice. Things have come TO pretty pass when
We cannot question the Jury about their kuoWl-
edge OF d case"
The Juror undertook to explain that his talks
with policemen were long before lie had any idea
that lie would b. summoned juror.
Il don't care" said FOOte. "H hat did those
policemen tell you?
They said thIt Curtis had a hard row to hoe
aud their general comments were against the de-
fendAut"
Foote-I challenge him.
Judge IrOult-I allow the challenge.
THE BOX F1PTIED.
By the time the box was empty and all the
taleSmen summoned hdd been examined there
remained six against whom DO apparent Obiec.
ton had been raised and the Judge con
graduating himself G Tie line progress made IN
securing jury.
Are you satisfied, gentlemen" he asked,
anXlously.
WI NGAG lGApNhoC was q llCl cluutbt4 CHdf
enge OF three Of the jurors ana Mr.. Hinkle's
response was a Ike challenge OF the remaining
three leaving The jury box empty.
yes, your HOnOI,' said Mi. Hlukle, facetlOus-
ly, The people are satisfied
And the defense is satisfied added Mr.
FOote win a grim smile.
well, the Court IS not satisfied" said the
Judge rather shortly.
tie ordered a special yenire Of fifty, reurnable
tomorrow morning and announced that the
thai would proceed IN The courtroom OF De-
paumeut 5.