Evening star., 1895-10-31
TAMPERlNG WITH A JURY
Facts in the Ray Case Show Corrupt In.
huences.
Effort to Postpone the Case by Max
ing Charges Against
n Juror.

In opposition to the motion for a new
trial in the case of James Ray, the Di-
vision saloon keeper who was convicted
last Morday of receiving stolen property,
District Attorney Birney will file the affi-
davits of Jurors George B. Mickunl, James
H. Wall, George H. Nermillion and Charles
Z. Offutt, in which they absolutely deny,
it is said, the statement of John D. Sulli-
van that Juror Nickum declared before be-
irg called as a juror in the case that Ray
would be convicted.
Ray, it will be remembered, con-
vIcted of purchasing, for s.. two of the
nineteen gold watches stolen from Jeweler
Dominck Rickenbacher by William, alias
Blood" Jones, a notorious colored thief.
July II. After Ray was convicted he gave
bail in the sun of $1,000 to await the dis
position of his motion for new trial. In
support of his motion, Mr.. Thos. c. Taylor,
his counsel filed an affidavit of John d.
Sullivan. in which Sullivan stated that on
the morning of the first day of the trial,
last Friday, Mr.. Mckum stated to him
that he hoped he would not be called as
juror in the case, and that if he should be
Ray would be convicted sure as HI"
Sullivan also stated that Mickum was
drawn and accepted as a Juror in the case
before he (Sullivan) had an opportunity of
informing Rays counsel of what Mickum
had said to him.
1t is understood that Mr. Mickum, In his
affidavit admits conversing with Sullivan,
but denies having said that Ray would be
convicted should he be called as juror in
the case. In support of Mr.. Mickum's de-
nal, Mr.. Birney WILL it is said, introduce
the a1iidavits of the other jurors, who will
state, it is claimed, that they heard the
conversation between Mickum and Sullivan
and that Mr.. Mickum did not make the
statement attributed to him by Sullivan.
| Other jurors will also state, it is said, that
| Sullivan was present in court when the
| jury was drawn, and had therefore ample
| opportunity in which to inform Rays
counsel of Mr.. Mickums alleged stateme~t t.
| On the morning of the second day of the
| trial District Attorney Birney, stated in
| The Star. informed the court, in the pres
| ence of the jury, that he had received in
| formation which convinced him that an at
| tempt had been made to corruptly influence
| the jury in favor of the defendant This
alleged improper conduct of the district at
| torney is also made a ground for a new
| trial, but Mr.. Birney says that he was not
| cnly justified in making the statement
when arc where he did. but that Ray
| row seeks by charging Juror Mickum with
| improper corduct to cover UP the alleged
| attempts to influence the jury. Sullivan, 1t
| is said is a brother-in-law of Rays broth
er. and because of that relationship Mr..
| Birney WILL it is said, contend that Sullivan
| interfered in the case.
| This alleged attempt to corruptly influ-
| cnce the jury Mr.. Birney proposes to make
| the subject of an early and exhaustive eX-
| animation. and it is understood that he
! feels confident of showing that such an at
| tempt was made upon Juror SyphaX by a
| rertair colored hangeron about the Police
| Court. Some five or six policemen includ-
ing Lieut.. Amss OF the first precin~t, testi-
| fled as to Rays reputation, and much to
| the aStonisEnen of District Attorney Bir-
ney, Detes tives Lacey and Helan We're the
| only officers to say that the mans reputa-
| ton was bad. A tremendous effort was
made by Ray and his friends, it is said, to
| induce the district attorney to drop the
case, and it is said that Ray spent not i
| little morey to escape conviction.
1t is even limited that officers of the police
| fierce were approached and one member Of
the force stated to Star reporter that i,
had been intimated to him that he might
| &C Cnfidenty expect to be a thousand dollars
better off if he would cease his activity ir
the case. The same officer also remarked
that more than one party had advised lin
that he would injure himself by continuing
his activity. He nevertheless went aheaG
and Ray was convicted This officer is
still member of the force too.