The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-11-04
Special Venire of 80 Talesmen Exhaust
ed Without Securing Jury-The
Prosecution Hampered.
BANK CASHIER ASSAULTED
Once Prominent and Wealthy Citi-
zen Attempts Robbery.
Three Cranks Arrested at Pittsburg-
DOings of Other Demented PeO-
pie and Criminals.

CHICAGO, Nov. 3.-The second trial OF
Daniel Coughlin. the ex-detective, charged
with completely in the Cronin murder, began
to-day in Judge Tuthilrs court, befo,e a
large crowd of spectators. The prisoner
entered plea of not guilty. The selection
of jury was at once begun. Among the
spectators were the wife and aged father
of the prisoner and many OF his old-time
friends. Most of the men called upon to
act as jUcors said that they had formed
opinions regarding the case, and soon the
panel was exhausted. Judge Tuthill issued
a special venire for 80 jurymen, and the
case was continued until tomorrow.
Coughlin was neatly dressed and pre-
sented a rather natty appearance. His
face was pale, but his eyes were bright,
and there was more hopeful look in Them
than there was during the trial four years
ago. With the many witnesses who have
passed away since the former Cronin trial
the difficulty of again securing a convic-
ton in Coughlin'S case was recognized.
Their testimony remains in the record,
and this will be put in by the State by
placing the official stenographers on the
stand and having them identify the docu-
ments containing the testimony as the Off
cial record of the case but this, at the
best, will be unsa tisfactory. 1t will be
tedious process, and not calculated to i'm
press a jury. Then the few witnesses who
are available will be sworn and examined.
Not a single new witness will be examined,
however, States Attorney Kern being with
out additional proof to that presented by
the State at the previous trial. The States
attorney has been handicapped by these
peculiar conditions and time has also
dulled the interest once taken in the case.
The ruling of the Supreme Court in grant
ing the new trial will also seriously embar-
rass the State in it's presentation of the
case. Another serious drawback is the lack
OF money on the part of the prosecution.
Some time ago States Attorney Kern
asked the County Commissioners for
special appropriation for the conduct of
the case. This was to be expended for adj
ditional counsel and for securing new wit
nesses. The. request was refused. The
Cronin committee then offered TO provide
attorneys on condition that they were
given entire charge of the case. Mr.. Kern
to him. and declined the offer. consequently
he enters upon the trial depending eX-
clusively upon the resources of his own
office. Coughlin is represented by attor-
neyS Donahue and Wing
The present trial promises only sen
sation. 1t is said that Coughlin will take
defense. At the first trial defendants
Burke OSullivan and Coughiin were
anxious to testify, it is said, but were not
permitted to do so by their attorney: John
+. Beggs had been convicted of embezZle-
ment in Cleveland some years before and
his cross-examination would develop this
fact, as 1t was known TO States Attorney
Longnecker, so that Beggs's evidence would
hurt, rather than help him before the jury.
Should the other three testify and Beggs
remain off the stand, the jury could not
help but ascribe ii TO consciousness of
guilt and fear Of cross-examination There
fore, to save Beggs, none of the accused
testified. This condition of things does not
now exist. Coughlin alone is on trial and
he will himself tell the jury his version of
the facts and circumstances that weaVed
around him the mesh that came so nearly
being twisted into the hangman's rope.