The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-01-25
Much Interest.

AY%S@ EW freshly sHaVen anu
'S~ neatly dressed, was
ATTORNEY GENERAL promptly in attend
POWERS. ance, and took his
seat beside his senior counsel, Hon.
Geo. M. Seiders. Prawdais young
man, fair haired German, with
somewhat heavy features, but
with countenance indicative of intelli-
gence and even of ability of a certain
order. The expression of his countenance
is not vicious; but might be considered
crafty. Prawda appeared perfectly cool
throughout.
The array of lawyers was quite large.
In the seats reserved for the counsel for
the State were Attorney General Fred
erick. A. Powers, County Attorney
Charles A. True, and Assistant County
Attorney Richard Webb
Near Prawda sat his counsel, Hon.
George M. Seiders, Frederick Y. Chase,
ESQ.,, and George Allan, Esq. In the
array of witnesses present were several
women, neighbors of the Prawdas Mrs.
Prawda was also present. She is appar-
entity considerably older than Prawda
himself, being 40 or As apparently,
while Prawda is but 80. AS soon as
Sheriff Cram had ushered in Judge Bon
ney and Deputy Sheriff Doughty had
made due proclamation to the panel
from which the juries were to be select
ed. the drawing of the jury began.
. AS Assistant Clerk of Courts Libbey
drew the names from the box, Judge
Bonney and the counsel for the defence
questioned the men drawn very care
fully, to be sure that no man with pre-
JUDGE or a bias should be selected. The
defence have the right to challenge any
witness who appears to be biased, and
also has the further right to twenty-five
peremptory challenges to be used if for
any reason thes.witness seems undesira-
able to the defense. The challenges
were very mum erous, making the work of
choosing the twelve men slow.
The State also is allowed five peremp-
tory challenges, which were used quite
freely.
The first to be called was Henry B.
Dunning, of Brunswick.
Judge Bonney, according to the custom
of the court, questioned the witness as
to the accounts he had read in the papers
and as to the opinions he had formed
of the case. He said he had an opinion
in the case, but not such fixed one as
to interfere with deciding the case &C
cording tosthe law and evidence, Hon.
George M. Seiders, continuing the ques-
tioning developed the fact that the wit
ness did have an opinion, and therefore
Mr.. Soldiers challenged him for cause and
he was excluded.
Charles F. Plummer, of Portland sale
he had not read the papers had nc
opinion or other bias about the case
and therefore was accepted.
James F. Libby, of Sebago, said that hi
had not read the newspapers, had MOI
discussed the matter, did not ever
know the party's name. He was Z:
years of age.
This witness seemed to be accepta BILE
but at this point County Attorney True
arose and said: "The State challenges
peremptorily." Therefore he stepped
aside.
Oswell Charles, of Gorham, being
called, had read of the alleged murde
in one paper. He had no bias In thu
matter, but had his attention called tt
it few weeks ago.
Mr.. Soldiers challenged him perempto
rily, and he stepped aside.
Edwin B. Grant, of Freeport, being
called, admitted that he had read of tn,
cese in the newspapers, and admitted
that he had naturally formed an opin
ion.
81 challenge for cause" said Mr.. Seid
ers.
81 don't know about that" said Judg
Bonney
assMr. Grant was then examined further
He admitted that he had discussed tn,
matter and had an opinion from what b.
had read.
us that opinion as to the guilt or in
nocence?" said Mr.. Soldiers.
"To the guilt"
"Therefore challenge for cause,n sale
II don't know about that" said Judg
Bonney again. 1--WE cannot expect t
find for jurors ignorant men who do no
read any papers. The question is wheth
er the witness has fixed opinion as t
the correctness of what he has read
that will prevent him judging according
to the law or the evidence"
II challenge for the further cause tina
this man lives near the scene of the TRACE
dy," said Mr.. Seiders.
Judge Bonnie concludeds to exclud
Mr.. Grant from the jury.
MIR. Levi Jordan, oil Raymond, passe
the muster satisfactorily and was accep,
ed az the second man on the jury.
Cyrus B. Varney, of Deering, passe
peremptorily challenged by Mr.. Seidel
and stepped aside.
Mr.. Pascal Jordan, of Naples, was az
oeDted