The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-02-11

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the court. the criminal court room began
TO MI with spectators. aud by the hour
OF opening the large court room Was packed.
the audience being for the most part made
up OF white men.
Anticipating "a unusual crowd and APP
prociating the gravity OF the case. Sheriff
Erickson had a full force Of deputies on
duty.
Terrell WAS brough, from the jail TO
tho court shortly before tho hour sat for
his trial by Deputy sheriff Archie AHdor-
son and was stralgh,way placed In the dock
where he was the object OF all obsorya-
tion.
lilo is a bury black negro OF medium
size. apparently not over - yeerc OF age.
with small mus,ache and short klnky
hair. He has low. reced.ns forehead,
indicating an .lsence Of Intelligence and
bcsusl sonsuous expression. n, IN fact.
his face could be said 20 have any expires
sion at all.
District Attorney Glllaspic appeared for
the State. while the defense was represent
81 by Mefsrs J. - Woiveriou. J. IL patrn.
port and 4. T.. McCannm.
The tfial opeucd With motion On be
halt 81 the defendant TO quash tue re
turn io thc Nenifc. which MAS urged by
Mr. Davenport who claimed that b, Was
not valid gu three grounds Arst. because
The return stated that j. Lpweustelu
and j.. q Noscnfcldt two ~ the ycuira
men, wcru ~ in bai and had mot uc,n
served, which ala not show due diligence
or Tho part Of the officer SECOND. thai the
return merely stated, IN regard 20 other
Ntnlrc men. who W"rr not found b. the
shsrin's officer that ihc officer Ind made
due diligence and did not state what cf-
foriE be had mato TO oncrt service. third
because the return showed that the vcuire
had come into the sheriff hands on Feb
ruary 3, lSsi. instead Of February q, lS97
These objections were argued ~ ien.fh
BY Mir Davenport and SIR McraHum. bnt
Judge Gavin directed the sheriff 90 almond
the reiurn, the attorneys for thr defendant
excepting
From this preliminary sklrmlsh. Il wa,
thought that the case would he hNtl. con
Tested by counsel for the defendant hui
with this unsuccessful motion tn quash fho
Vonirc their efforts ceased and beyond this
no further defense was tnllr
There was no contest over Tho selection
OF jury. no cross examination of states
Witnessed, no evidence introduced for tho
defendant and no argument IN his behalf
before the jury
After the return ~ the vculre had beeu
amended as 10 the date of us return. both
PARTIES announced ready for trial and no
defendant was afrairncd
He was led from tho dock and plac.i
IN front 81 Judge Gavin whore Criminal
District Clerk Ellis read tho Indictment
To him
Terrell stood thcrc apparently uncon
cerned until the question WAS put TO him
How do you plead to this charge, guilty
or not guilty."
To this he answered guilty"
There Was considerable stir In court A,
tho words fell from the Negroes lips and
District Attorney Clllaspie. turning 20 Mo
attorneys for the defense. asked the formal
question
Have you admonished your client. gen.
tiemon2" nv"
We have" replied Mr. Wolyerton.
inc prosecuting attorney then ltirnea
10 the Judge ana requested him to admoniss
the prisoner,
Judge Gavin then called the prisoner N,
to his desk and addressed the folowtns
questions to him;
ma understand yen TO say that you
pleaded guilty."
Yes came tho answer I'm low tone
With what are you charged"
The rare OF Mrs. Jackson" was Ter.
rells reply.
Tine punishment to he assessed Tor this
crime may be death or imprisonment for
NE Was your plea voluntary"
Yes sim In subducd tones.
lie was then questioned RS to whether la
understood what the court had said TO
him and whether he was IN his right mind.
and to both queries he answered vcs
when the Judge had finished his qucs