Evening journal., 1896-11-09

JURY WAS FINALI4 SECOAs--D.
TWO MORE CAPITAL CASES.
The Court of Oyer and Terminer of
New Castle county sat in special ses-
sion at the Court House to-day at 10
o'clock. with all the judges present.
At this session Of court three capital
cases are to be tried First on the list
is that Of Thomas Willis, charged with
brutally killing his child near Newark,
and then throwing the body overheard
in a sack. The other two cases are
those of William Torbert Henry, forthe
murder Of William Virgins, colored,
at Ebenezer camp ground, in the lower
part of New Castle county, and George
G. Woods, for the murder OF J.. Howard
Hannum, of West Grove, Pa. at the
White Horse Hotel last July.
All the oyer and Terminer jurors
were In their places at 10 O'Clock this
Business was not begun until
II o'clock, as it was expected that the
associate judges would not arrive on
the early morning train. Judges Cul-
len and Marvel and Attorney General
White, however arrived in town at
9.5S and reported at the Court House
at 1890 and ready for busy week.
ANOTHER. OYER AND TERMINER
CASE.
There is still another Oyer and Ter
miner case to be tried this month this
one at the regular November term. 1T
is that of Dennis Dinneen, charged
with arson. Dinneen, who is now in
Jail, lives in Wilmington, but owned
some heavily-insured property in Mill
Creek hundred, which he is charged
with firing.
A few minutes before 10 o'clock this
morning, when the Oyer and Terminer
officials arrived at the upper court
room, it was found to be in possession
of about fifteen deputy sherifis guard
ing the ballOt-boxes.
Acting under instructions, Bailiff
Fleming ushered the entire outfit up
stairs to the general jury quarters. and
they toted their boxes upstairs with
effort.
The cases TO be tried at this court all
being capital offenses, the Oyer and
Terminer jury engaged in each case
must be quartered and fed during the
day in the grand jury room, which is
only few steps from the court room
and jury box on the second floor. SO
the deputies had to seek new quarters.
These deputy sheriffs have been on
duty, armed with two revolvers each,
since the Board OF Canvass met last
week. Passers-by have wondered why
the Court House is lighted up all night
of late, it not being generally known
that the ballot-boxes were under heavy
guard, as is. prescribed by law.
WILLIS WAS RE-ARRAIGNED.
Thomas Willis, the big colored man.
first to be tried, was brought into
court between two tipstaves and, on
the suggestion of Attorney-General
White, was re-arraigned. The indict-
ment charges Willis with striking,chok-
ing and drowning his daughter Callie
Willis. in a stream lin which there is
a great quantity of water" in Mill
Creek hundred.
Willis was represented by Harry
Whiteman and Josiah Marvel He
manifested great concern at his situa-
tion, but occasionally smiled when his
lawyers attempted to cheer him up by
chatting with him. Mr.. Whiteman and
Acknowledgement White questioned the
jurors The work Of drawing the jury
consumed almost an hour, both sides
challenging freely.
DRAWING THE JURY
The jurors challenged by defendant
counsel were:
William X. II Tadman, George w.
Daniels, John P. Collins, Arthur l..
Draper, Clayton NJ. Powell, James A..
Wilson, Edward T.. Davis, Edward w
Daniels, George r. Powell, David W.
Stats, Thomas T. Townsend, John c.
Armstrong, John Davidson, Nathan
Best, Benjamin f. David Jr
Those challenged by the state were:
William II. VOshell, Isaac n. Finn,
Moses Lowther, John w Mitchell,
Henry Leach, Charles II. FOulk
Mr.. Finn was challenged by the
state, it is believed, because he is a rel
ative of Sheriff-elect Finn, who would
have the prisoner to hang in case OF
conviction.
Elwood T. Hawthorne had formed
and expressed an opinion, but as he
is a very thoughtful juror. was closely
questioned by the court as to whether
he could render an impartial verdict
from the evidence now to be produced
He swore that he could and was ac-
cepted by both state and defence
Handy c. Hopkins had served on the
coroner's jury and the defence prayed
that he be disqualified because he had
passed upon the prisoners guilt or in
nocence in an official capacity. After
a search and conference the court con
cluded to question him. He replied
that unless other testimony was pro.
duced he did not feel able to sit as q
juror. He was further questioned anc
stated that notwithstanding his onicia
opinion, he could render an impartia
verdict from evidence. He was chal.
lenged by the defence, for cause.
The jury as it stands consists Of Wal.
ter w. Morgan. Charles Miller. Dan M
Cochran, Elwood T. Hawthorne
Thomas Y. Messimer, Benjamin .ond
william c. Deakyne, Vinson Moore
Louis H. Day, George f. Wilson, Isaa,
Elliott.
Deputy Attorney-General Cooper
asked TO submit in evidence an atlas oI
New Castle county, showing the road.
in that locality.