The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-06-05
lizzie BORDEN ON TRIAL.
One Of the Most Famous
American Criminal
Trials Began Today.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass, Jyne 5, 1888
Thh long anticipated Borden murder
trial has begun. At an early hour this
morning every available shade SPOT on
County street near the court house was
pre-empted and pa tientiy the sitters and
ISLANDERS waited until the Deli on the
court house was tolled, sgnifying the
opening of court. Deputy Sheriff
guarded the entrance to the front and
New Bedford policemen were at the rear.
The talesmen began to file into
their places at ten o'clock. At
half past ten Miss Lizzie A. Botden,
the prisoner, came slowly into the room,
preceded by Deputy Sheriff Kirby, and
was shown to her seat in the dock. She
was attired in q very becoming costume
Of black brocaned stuff, and wore a pretty
shade hat relieved by a touch here aud
there of blue. AS she passed the bar en-
closure MIR. Melvin o. Adams. of counsel
for the defence, stepped to the rail and
bowed to her. but Lizzie, while acknowl-
edging with slight inclination OF her
head the salntarlou, never a.sed her eyes
| o his and passed on slowly beyond to the
dock.
JUSTICE GETTING READY.
Every seat IN the room was occupied
by lalesmen aud newspaper men, no out
siders being admitted up to that time,
and within tide box enclosure were few
of the prominent meu of the county who
who had been accorded seats by cour-
tesy. The seats of District Attorney
Knowlton aud MIR. Moody, his assistant,
are by the rail near the lower eud OF the
jury box and directly facing the witness
stand. The seats OF the counsel for the
defence are at the left of this. slightly
quarLering and nearer the centre of the
enclosure.
AT five minutes past eleven the Court
House bell sounded, but there was no
movement on the part of the Court ex-
cepu to call MIR. Moody into the room OF
the Justices. where, with the district
attorney, short consultation was held.
Meanwhile Messrs. Adams and Jennings
sat at their table nervously toying with
their mustaches, anxious for begin
ming.
Court came in at precisely twepty-sev-
en- minutes past eleven. Chief Justice
Mason taking the centre seat, with the
Rev. N. C. Julien of New Bedford, who
had been selected to make the regulation
opening prayer, on his extreme left. AS
soon as they were seated Deputy Sheriff
Thomas w. Butman was instructed by
Clerk Borden 10 make the usual procla
nation to the talesmen, after. which the
clerk called them in alphabetical
orders Seven minutes were thus
taken up. after which brief
yrayer was offered, Miss Borden
standing Then the District Attorney
conveyed officially to the court what has
been well known for week or SO, that
the Attorney General will not be here to
attend 10 his duty. and that Mr.. William
H. Moody, District Attorney of Essex
county, would acr. He gave to the court
the additional Information in very
formal manner. tnat Lizzie Andrew
Borden had been Indicted for the murder
of her father and stepfather. and he had
Ihe- honor to move for the impaneling OF
a jury for the trial of the cause. Chief
Justice Mason then addressed the
talesmen a body, stating that he
should be obliged to put certain
question to them as they came before the
conrt relative TO forming opinions, their
bias or prejudice, etc. He read section
of an opinion from the Chief Justice of
matter of opinions, and he cautioned
, them that all of their answers
must be gwen under oath.
MENTAL CAPABILITIES.
II any one OF them was so mentally
constituted tuat he could not believe any
person could commit crime punishable
with death, then that person would not
do as a juror The clerk was then di-
rected to proceed with the impanelling OF
the jury.
Miss Bsrden was asked to stand up and
told OF her right to challenge. The first
Juror was Ansel G.. Baker, of New Bed
ford, who said he did not think any evil
dence which could DO produced would ip-
duce him TO change his mind, and he was
told to step aside. George Winslow, OF
Mansfield, followed. He hao no bias or
prejudice, but was not acceptable TO the
defence, Miss Borden calling her cbal-
lenge under direction OF Mr. jennings in u
clear voice.
George Potter of Westport had formed
au opinion, but did not think it was sufii-
cieut to prevent being changed He had
no bias or prejudice, aud was iu condi-
tion to fiud verdict of guilt il the evi-
dence warranted. There was no chal-
lenge and he was duly sworn and placed
in the box at six minutes OF Twelve
Mortimer Searles, New Bedford. said
he had formed and expressed opinions.
aud his Judgment was 50 well set 15
would be hard work to change it.
VIM. II. Willis. New Bedford, had no
bias or prejudice aud could find verdict
Of guilt if the evidence warranted it.
The proceedings were here interrupted
by Mr. jennings handing sheet OF
paper closely written u3on to the Chief
Justice, He In turn passed it TO his AS
sociates, and then a deliberation fol-
lowed.