The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-12-09
PROSECUTED FOR ExsRAcraY.
Simon sweitzer Alleged to Have Invaded
the sanctity Of a Jury-court Pro-
ceedings.

There was n genuine sensation in court
Wednesday morning when counsel for
Mrs. jane Winters, dert in "A civil suit
for damages, addressed the members OF
the bench aud informed theu that be
was in possession of evidence hich went
to show that the plaintiif-Simon Sweitz.
er-had convcrsed with certain jurymen,
then in the box, in regard to the case on
trial. Instantly hush fell or the court
room. Barristers, jurymen, witnesses
and suitors with one accord leaned ex-
pectantly forward 10 hear what Judge
Longenecker might say. His Honor
looked sternly at the jury box and asked
jurymen who had been approached by
the prosecutor in the case to arise. All
kept their seats. Then his Honor turned
10 the pane! selected To try the next case
on the calendar-in which Mrs. Winters
appears as plaintiff and Sweitzer as de-
fendant-and propounded a similar in
quiry. Two jurors arose and said that
they had overheard a conversation be-
tween Sweitzer and two jurors, indicat-
ing the men, of the first panel, the even
ing before at the Somerset House.
Judge Longenecker was plainly in
censed at the developments and di-
rected that the witnesses he examined
under oath.
The bartender at the Somerset House
testified that, Sweitzer and a juryman
had drank together the evening befo-e at
his bar. The conversation between them
was carried on in Pennsylvania Dutch
and all he was able to understand was a
remark of Sweitzer's, who told his COM
panion that he WAS drinking 'Sweitzer
whisky" Another witness testified
that he had overheard conver-
sation between Sweitzer and the juryman
he had been drinking with, in which the
case pending was spoken of. The same
witness testified that the conversation re-
fcrred to was carried on in the presence
of second member of the jury. A third
witness testified that he had seen Sweitz-
er and one of the jurymen leave the office
OF the Somerset House together. One of
the impeached jurors admitted having
taken glass of whisky with Sweitzer
and to Sweitzer's having spoken of the
case in his presence. He also acknOwl-
edged that he knew he had done wrong.
The other juror denied that he had visit
ed the bar in company with Sweitzer or
that he had conversed with him in re-
gard to the ease. No further testimony
was heard and Judge Longenecker dis
missed the two jurors from further at
tendance upon the court and ordered the
cases mentioned continued at the cost of
the plaintiff. Thursday morning one of
the impeached jurors, through counsel,
asked permission of the Court to make
a further explanation, which being
granted, resulted in the jurors being per-
mitted to continue in attendance upon
the court in the capacity of a Juror.
At Friday mornings session Judge
Longenecker handed "A copy of the testi-
mony adduced 10 District Attorney Col
born and directed him 10 take such ac-
tion as the circumstances warranted.
Saturday morning Mr.. Colborn entered
n prosecution against Sweitzer for en-
brace-y and Monday morning the de-
fendant entered bail for his appearance
at court. The ease in all probability will
be tried at next weeks session of crimi-
nal court. In case of conviction the
penalty prescribed by the Act
of Assembly is fine of 500 and one year
In the suit of DIR. l.. b. Miller, ct al. W.
George Tayman and Elizabeth Herman,
eiectment for certain tract of land in
Allegheny township, the jury rendered
verdict for the plaintiff.
In the suit of c. l.. Baltzer VS.. ]. d.
Weigle, which was brought to recover
SlI3.l5, the value of lot of lumber, al
legged TO be property of the plaintiff,
which the defendant took and appro-
priated to his own use, the jury rendered
a verdict in favor o: the defendant.
Margaret OFT was plaintiff i'm a suit
against Henry J. Wilmoth. Plaintiff
$4,000 damages sustained by
reason of the death of her husband, caus-
ed by the carelessness and neglect of de-
fendant. OFT was employed in a planning
mill, owned by defendant, at Sand
Patch. He came in contact with a saw
ne was operating and was killed. Under
direction of the Court the jury rendered
a verdict for the defendant, the testimony
addueed going 10 show that death result
Ell from contributory negligence on the
part OF deceased.
All of the other cases on the calendar
were either settled or continued. Court
Friday morning.
Farm For Sale.
The executor of the late David Heiple
Will sell at private sale farm of A acres,
one mile west of Somerset. Land in good
state of cultivation, good house and barn.
fruit orchard. nnderlaid with coal and