Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-07
PRENDERGAST TRIAL.
THE SLAYER or CARTER HARR'S0s
BEFORE A JURY.
Cblcngo's Great Case Under Way-r~
cautions Against Den,oustratie".
The Prisoner Nervous.

CHICAGO. December Some Thousand
FIVE hundred and forty-three-pccpe "
the State OF Illinois against Prendergast'
called Judge Theodore at 1000 o'clock TINS
morning IN his dingy courtroom.
"The people are ready In the case. your
Honor" responded Jacob J. Kern. the
youthful States Attorney of Cook county.
"Is the defendant ready for trialT-
asked the Court of X. a. Wade. senior
counsel for Prendergast. He Is" SAID
the lawyer, and with the order OF the
Court. Call jury" the trial Of Carter
renry Harrison's slayer began, moro
than five weeks after the tragedy which
Mortified a nation.
The courtroom and its approaches werc
guarded by strong force OF city poles
officers, deputy sheriffs. and bailiffs. who
allowed only persons having business 10
pass. This precaution prevented any de-
monstration and only half filed the court.
room.
The door leading to the bridge OF
slghs." which connects the courtroom
with the Jail. opened. Stalwart deputy
sheriffs walked IN. and between them was
seen the spare lorm and repuisive fes-
lures of the fellow who killed the Mayor
OF Chicago
TIE PRISONERS APPEARANCE.
The only change In his appearance was
In a light growth OF hair on his receding
upper lip and increased nervousness. He
was placed in a seat few feet from the
jury-box. facing his lawyers and the
press tables. His common and black tie
almost concealed his standing-collar. and
a = -. .NaI I.xe-
genteel order.
In addition TO X. A. Wade. Robert Es-
sex, John p McGoorty. and John Heron
are the counsel for the murderer. Assist
ant-State' s-Attorney Todd also appeared
for the prosecution.
State s. Attorney Kern. before beginning
the examination of talesmen, announced
that he desired the record to show that
by his request Alfred $. Trude appeared
as counsel 10 assist the State In the case.
Mr. Trude holds foremost rank among
Chicago's successful criminal lawyers. He
was an Intimate friend OF the murdered
Mayor. IL president OF the City Board or
EDUCATION. and \ few DAYS ago declined
the Democratic nomination for Mayor to
succeed Prendergast's victim.
PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE.
The line of inquiry on behalf OF tha
CNdlt HiONfn AH' MA'HstPh naS W
get a jury which could believe Prender-
gast TO have been a crank at the time ha
fired the fatal bullets into Mayor Har-
rison's body. and yet be responsible for
his deed, knowing the difference be-
tween right and wrong. The states At
torney's questions also indicated that thu
intliction Of the death penalty would
be asked at the hands OF the jury II
Prendergast should be adjudged guilty
| of murder beyond a reasonable doubt.
The talesmen's answers In relation "a
the defendants plea OF insanity showed
that nearly all had n suspicion of such
| n defense. while many. who were eS-
cused. had made up their minds unal-
| terably that Prendergast was guilty of
dastardly crime and should be hanged.
! The line OF examination on the part Of
| Attorney Wade. for the defense, was
mostly confined To inquiries II the tales
men had any prejudice against evidence
rendering TO show that Prendergast was
/ insane. and also as to whether the men
summoned considered the killing OF Car
= ter Harrison an offense greater than the
{ murder Of any citizen.