The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-09-29
STILL GATHERING A JURY.
Another Day of Rigid Examinations in
the Palmer Trial.
The Defense Objects to the Special
Venire-Something About the
knights Templar.

Another day was consumed in the
work OF impaneling jury to try FL. j..
Palmer, charged with the murder of
Charles Phleger.
The attorneys for both the defense and
prosecution did not relax particle in
their vigilance in asking questions of the
talesmen. and would accept no one whose
mind was wholly devoid of any prejudice
or feeling either one way or the other.
When court opened the special yenire
of loo citizens summoned by the Sheriff
on the courts order was called. Ten of
twelve of them were excused from
serving by the court on various grounds.
Then the attorneys for the defense. Frank
NJ. Stone and 4. L. Hart. made
FORMAL OBJECTION
To the panel, on the ground that los per-
SONS had been summoned instead Of 100,
as ordered.
Under Sheriff Bugbey was placed or
the witHess-stand and explained that the
entire force ofthe Sheritf'S office, includ-
ing the Sheriff himself, started out to
summon jurors. When all the lists were
turned in it was found that there were
i've too many. Accordingly the names
of Peter BOIL. w. NJ. Petrie, Philip L rem,
). Morris and Tom Scott were stricken
off and those gentlemen notified that
they were not wanted.
Deputy Sheriff Alter testified that he
had notified the five gentlemen named
that they need not appear.
Attorneys Hart and Stone then adj
dressed the court, claiming that the panel
had been invalidated by the acts of the
SheritPs office. The latter, they said, had
exercised the functions Of the court. The
power to change the panel.
THE PANEL ALL RIGHT.
District Attorney Ryan and Charles T.
Jones, who appear for the prosecution,
spoke briefly against the objection, and
the court decided that the panel was all
right, as there was no evidence that any
bias bad been shown in eXcusing the i've
men named.
The defense excepted to the ruling and
then the examination of the talesmen
was taken up. The line of questioning
was substantially the same as contained
in the synopsis given in yesterday
RECoRD-UNIoN. The proceeding for the
most part was not interesting, but now
and then a talesman would be encount-
cred who would furnish something out of
the usual line.
ABOUT THE TEMPLARS.
Considerable has been said to the effect
that the fact that Palmer was Mason
and knight Templar insured his ac-
quittal even If it were shown that he was
guilty. The examination of talesman G.
&. Olney, however, rather dispelled this
idea yesterday. Mr.. Olney is a Knight
Templar and SO stated in answer to the
usual question propounded by the attor-
neys for the prosecution.
Would not the fact that Mr. Palmer is
also a Templar have a tendency to cause
xrnr IN laqr I'D Ia i'm,
asked Attorney Jones.
Not particle, sir" was the prompt
reply.
Are you sure about that?''
quite sure, Sir"
Would the fact that the Templars of
this city are anxious to see Mr.. Palmer
acquitted have any influence over you ?''
mo, sir"
''Do you think you could find verdict
OF guilty OF murder in the first degree
against a Templar ?"
II don't see why not AS long as I
have been member of that order | have
never heard Of anything that made it in
gumbent upon Templar to acquit a
TemplaT who is proved to be guilty.''
A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
EX-Captain of Police J. Nj. Woods was
another interesting talesman. He de-
clared that the fact that he had been con-
nected with the police department for
years had not imbued him with the idea
that every person who is arrested is
guilty OF the charge preferred against
him.
Then you are different from the gem
eral run Of policemen, eh?" asked Attor-
Eey Stone. ironically.
1es / am. l never did feel that way y
replied the Captain. He said he had
known Palmer a number of years, but
felt neither friendship nor enmity toward
him. lie was sure he was not preiudiced,
But in answer to question by Mr.. Stone,
he said he did not take much stock in the
DEFENSE OF INSANITY,
As rule. He had an opinion regarding
Palmer's mental condition-formedd dur
ing his long acquaintance with the de-
fendant-which he was satisfied evidence
would be required to remove.
The Captain, in answer to another line
of questions, admitted that he had talked
about the merits Of the case since he had
been summoned ON the special venire.
He talked with an attorney named Alex
ander, who visits Sacramento now and
then. Both of them had expressed opin-
ions. de (Woods still had that opinion.
yet he thought that, If chosen as a Juror.
he could do his duty and decide the case
according TO the law and the evidence.
Only two more jurors were secured
during the day-Henry Gerber and A. l..
Warren. This makes eight in all the
other six being James Carbine, D. w.
Taylor, d. Mckay. w. II. Ellis, o. a.
Henley and c. a. Smith. The case will
be resumed this morning.