Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-19
Witnesses Called in the Ford Muir
der Trial.
CHALLENGES BY THE DEFENSE
Testimony as to the Finding Of
the Girl.
THE FATAL WE AP o n

The same strong, persistent pressure was
brought to bear today upon Marshal Will
son and his deputies for admission to the
trial of Irving Ford the negro who SO
cruelty murdered Elsie Kreglo the 4th of
this month. and all manner of pleas were
made by the crowd to obtain admission to
the court room. The marshal remained
firm, however and, excepting the sixty ex-
tr4 taIesmen summoned to- complete the
Jury the crowd in the court room when
Judge Cole directed the trial to proceed at
10 o'clock was even smaller than yester-
day.
Ford presented an even better appear
ance than yesterday. his red flannel shirt
being displaced by a laundered but collar
less white shirt. He was, too, much more
composed, conversing now and then with
Bailiff Jim Springman. who sat beside
him. The self-confessed murderer evinced
not a little interest in the proceedings, but
he still retained the ugly, desperate look
which has been one of the strongest char
acteristics of the prisoner.
Examining Tnlesmen.
OF the sixty extra talesmen drawn but
fCrty-nine answered TO their names when
Clerk Smith called the list, Joseph kiuh
being the first man to be examined. He
was excused for the time, as it appeared
that he has not been naturalized Benz +.
Petway cOlored, the next one called, said
he had formed an opinion, and also thought
1t morally wrong to infiict capital punish
Inent. He was, therefore, excused by the
&C urt. Benz Forester was excused by the
court because he is resident of Baltimore.
although doing business here John T..
Gather said that he had formed an opin-
ion. but thought he could render verdict
on the evidence at the trial He was de-
clared competent. despite the objections Of
counsel fer the defense Judge Cole also
refused to af1cw them to ask Mr.. Gather
hypothetical question as to what is
meant by reasonable doubt.
This question was allowed in New
York, explained Mr.. Peter.
That MY be- replied Judge Cole, but
We are trying this case Under the law ap-
plying here, and not by that in force in
New York. Mr.. Gather says he can rem
der fair and impartial verdict. irrespec-
tive CT his former one, and is, therefore.
competent
The defer Sc noted an exception, and then
they challenged Oliver L. White, colored.
John w. COvir gton declared he bad formed
TO opinion, and took his seat when District
Attorney Birney stated that he was salts
fed with the twelve men in the box. The
defendants counsel were not however,
ard challenged John c. Gather.
Samuel Wendell explain ed that while he
had formed an opinion it would not inter-
fere with his verdict.
Would not the fact that the defendant
pleaded guilty influence your verdict"
asked Mr.. Donaldson.
YES: but 1 could decide the case on the
evidence" explained Mr.. Covington
I'VE think he is inct mpetent, your hon
or sUSgeS ted Mr.. Craldson.
II hardly think So ruled the court, 'but
he nay stEnd aside.
Albert Leavey was declared competent.
but was ct once challenged by the defense.
john W. Moore had formed no opinion
ard was seated. MIR. BirEey stated that
he was satisfied with the twelve men then
in the box, but VIM. L. Holbrook was chal-
leuEel by the defeTSe.
More Challenges.
Lawrence Lovejoy having formed no
opinion and being otherwise qualified. took
his seat in the box, but remained there
orly a moment for after Mr.. Birney had
again expressed his satisfaction with the
twelve men in the box, the deferse chai-
Ienged Mr.. Lovejey. James Nolan ad-
Tnitted that he had formed q strong opin-
ion, but believed that he could disregard
that opinion. He was, however, chal-
legned by the defense.
Market Master Caleb A. Rice was ex-
cuSed by the court because he is also a
special public officer.
James Austin had formed an opinion. but
explaining that it would not interfere with
his verdict was declared competent.
once again the district attorney ex-
pressed his satisfaction with the twelve
men then in the box. when the defense
challenged James l.. Turner, colored.
VIM. F. Burns explained that his opinion
was strong one, and was accepted. when
James Austin was excused by the defense
Edward Odom. colored. thought it doubtful
If the evidence could overcome his formed
opinion. and was excused by the court.
George r. Clarke said he had formed
pretty strong opinion, but thought 1t would
not interfere with his verdict. He was de-
clared competent by the court, but was
Immediately challenged by the defense.
Albert g. Brooke stated his formed opin-
lon would not influence his verdict, and
took his seat in the box. when the defense
challenged VIM. F. Burns Philip II. Darr
was excused by the court because he stated
that he could not disregard his formed
opinion. owen owen was also excused by
the court upon his statement that the al
legged confessions of the prisoner would in
fuence his verdict. The court also eX-
CuSed George W. Gessford, because ne is
government employe. The judge next
cUsed T. IS. Meredith, colored. because his
opinion would influence his verdict.
Julian W. Dean was uncertain as to what
effect the newspaper accounts of the de-
PENDANTS confessions would have upon his
verdict, and was, therefore, excused by the
court Thomas Palmer. colored said he
could not disregard his opinion, whereupon
the court excused him. George A. Green
said his opinion would not influence his
verdict.
Have you ever expressed an opinion 2"
inquired Mr.. Donaldson.
Well. L have said that IL the prisoner
is guilty he should suffer the penalty, re-
piled AIr. Green.
About every man has so expressed him
SELF. remarked District Attorney Birney.
Mr.. Green was declared competent but
was challenged by the defense, when the
court excused Edward y. Burns because he
{ explained that he could not disregard his
opinion. Thos. l.. Shelton thought his opin-
ion would not influence his verdict.
'What Is meant by the presumption OF
1nnocence?' inquired Mr.. Peter.
Why, that man is generally presumed
TO be innocent" replied MIR. Shelton.
But has that rule any exceptions?" in
quired Mr.. Peter.
Not in law. 1 believe" answered Mr.
Shelton.
Well. you are pretty good lawyer at
any rate" remarked the court
But let me test him little further"
Pleaded MT Peter. What is meant by
a reasonable doubt" he asked.
That is a question of law" interrupted
the district attorney.
Yes. remarked Judge Cole, "and the
question is an improper one"
Inc defense then challenged Mr.. Shelton
for cause, and when the court oyerruied il
they challenged him peremptorily. George
Il. MattinEly was excused by the court be-
h.l e-=xr