Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-01-29
AMUSING TALESMEN.
THEY SOMETIMES SAY THINGS WHICH
ARE VERY FUNNY.

Men and Places.
Ia the New York courts Ignorance and
stupidity occasionally appear TO be the
characteristics chiefly sought after among
Jurors. The examination Of talesmen,
especially IN murder cases, IL usually eN-
cecdingly tedious, but at times flashes OF
wit or instances OF brilliant dullness illu-
mine the proceedings. Even men who in
the ordinary affairs OF life show great in
telligcnee sometimes become confused
when being examined by two shrewd law
! yers and Judge In n crowded courtroom.
| II their answers were afterward read to
them by the stenographer, they would ao-
cuse him Of the grossest Incompetence.
Certain stupid answers nre given again
and again. At regular intervals crops up
the man who says that no would take the
evidence from the law, or the law from
the evidence, or the evidence from the
court, or the evidence from the prisoners
counsel. Here is variation vi that form
/ Of genial misinformation;
How would you determine the case II
selcctedi" asked lawyer IN general ses-
slons
81 would take tho law from the evil
dence, aud II there was any reasonable
doubt would render a verdict" This
seemed clear and straightforward enough,
but the man was excused.
Would you take the law from the
court, or would you settle 1t for your
selt'' Recorder Smyth asked n talesman.
"Oh, would hear what the court had
to cay, and then would make up my
mind" came the answer coolly and al
most patronizngly.
The spectators thought that the rash
VWofflh ia 60, la. ka
for contempt of court, but the recorder,
tho lines Of his face growing tense. calmly
asked after pause;
What did you say your business was"
Matchmaking,
well, you would better go and attend
TO IL for the rest of the term" That was
ALL
Some jurors have a delightful lack OF
confidence ia the trustwurthinesa Of news
paper reports In a murder trial every
man examined n asked II he has read
abont the case Sometimes he answers in
this straini "Nes, but never believe any.
thing 1 read In the newspapers place
no credence In newspaper reports This
Is generally said breezily, but the reply is
not regarded by thu court ns sigu Of
overintelligeuce nor ia that not uncom-
mon one, What | read makes no impress
sion on me"
There is n mistaken idea that man
who has read anything about crime can
not serve ON the jury which tries the nc
cused man. The law distinctly says that
even II he has made up his mind on the
question Of guilt no may still make sat
isictory juror under certain conditions.
The mHu need not even say hs knows
that he would not be influenced by the
opinion, but merely that he believes he
would pot be There are dozens Of cases
IN which tho courts have held a juror to
be competent even II he had read about
the crime and had formed an opinion
which It would take evidence TO remove,
provided that he agreed TO decide only on
the evidence and regardless Of that former
impression
Az the same time, this principle OF law
htoh large extent nulliiied, because coun-
sci generally peremptorily challenges such
man. Tho judge, however, recognizes
that the best juror Of all is often the man
who frankly acknowledges that he has
read all about the case and has formed an
OPINION but nevertheless can give an im-
partial verdict on the evidence.
IN trial IN general sessions which Mt
tracted much attention tho name Of bar
per was drawn from the wheel Of for-une
by thc clerk one Of the questions asked
him was whether he had formed an upin.
ion about the prisoners guilt aud ex-
pressed IL to his customers.
had an opinion" WAS the answer
but l did not express 1t in my shop,
never express opinions in my shop" The
latter part OF the answer was given with
emphasis.
Your honor this is the barber for
whom we have all been looking " said the
lawyer for the defense, but the assistant
district attorney did not want such "A man
ON the jury
IN inc same trial one or two other tales
men showed a lack OF backbone that do
priNed them Of snats In the jury box. One
man vacillate,l in his views Ike wealth.
eryene, First he said he would take the
evidence from the court, then he said he
would take 1t under the courts ruling. \
ne began by saying that he had preju-
dlce-a very strong rejudice-against a
man charged with killing woman--a
evidence that was overwhelmingly con
vln9lng. A minute later he calmly said
!" .ne luase'
~ nave no prejudice In fhfa poua