The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-14

other. One gentleman, otherwise competent
TO act, was found not to be on the assessment
roll: another, to whom no challenge for cause
would seem to lie, was excused by consent, his
wife having expressed very strong opinion
on the case, which, however, he said would
not effect him in the least. Two more were
excused on peremptory challenge by the de-
Tense, and still another who had answered sat
isfactorily was found to have taken the place
in the box that should have been his fathers.
Judge Murphy showed the effects of severe
cold and was present on the bench against the
protest of his physician. The strain was too
much for him, however, and at the close of the
days work, the venire being exhausted, his
Honor announced an adjournment until Fri
day morning.
NOTE TO THE READER.-H you wish only 70
know what was actually accomplished in the
Durrant case yesterday the foregoing summary
will give you that information. II, however,
It Is your desire to learn the particulars of this
interesting trial you will find subjoined clear,
succinct impartial account OF all important
matters. Under no circumstances will the
offensive details be admitted. They are not
essential to an intelligent understanding Of
the progress of the case, and will be accorded
no place in these columns.
The second hundred citizens on the last
venire were called in Judge Murphy
court shortly after 10 o. clock, his Honor on
the bench despite his fear of the day before
that he would be unable to attend court.
When it,was found that the great majority
of those summoned were present, the
courts announcement that he was ready
TO hear excuses brought over half of them
to their feet. The usual excuses were as
plenty as ever, and some of them found
favor in the eyes of the court, while many
more did not. One in particular. the $50
military exemption certificate, met with a
frown from the judicial countenance.
'tIt's bad policy" he said, ''to allow men
to buy exemption from jury duty. 1t is a
piece of legislation that should be wiped
from the statute books at the next Legls-
lature; and if am alive then | shall call
the attention of the Legislature to it."
II was on the statute-books, however,
and his Honor excused the holder OF the
certificate with'a regretful sigh.
Forty-fiye names renamed IN tne po1
after the general excuses had been heard
and passed upon, and the bearers OF tour
of these were called TO the Jurybox and
swern.
d. f. McGraw, a builder residing at
281SL Pine street. stated that ne would
not Join in a verdict of guilty on circum-
stantial evidence where the penalty would
be death.
A. j. Runyon, 2O02 Green street, an
swered all the questions of the State salts
factory, and was passed to the defense.
He stated that he had such an opinion
that it would require strong evidence to re-
move it. He was challenged by the de-
Tense. Mr.. Barnes denied the challenge,
and upon question Mr.. Runyon stated that
he had strong opinion which it would re-
quire evidence to remove. He was ex-
cused.
A. E. Spearman, residing at 404 Ellis
street. passed the questions of the State.
but to the defense he admitted having
formed two opinions. These were strong,
and it would take evidence to remove
them.
C. Schelling, 2210 Vallejo street. had
formed such strong opinion that he did
not think he could act as fair and I'M
partial juror.
II. K Goddard, a newspaper man, resid-
ng at 1907 Larkin street, had no conscien-