The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-11-09
GUNDENSUPPE'S MURDER
TWO TRIALS SEPARATED AMI
IF THORN is ACQUITTED.
MRS. MACK WILL NOT STAND TRIAL
Marie Barberi, the italian Girl Who was Con-
victed of Numbering Her Lover Then Ac-
quilted, was Among the Spectators
With Her Husband.
With Her Husband.

New York, Nov. S.-The first day of
the trial of the barber Martin Thorn
for the murder of William Gundensuppe,
a bath rubber, was entirely taken up in
securing a jury, and much to the sur
prise of all those interested, the efforts
of the lawyers for the prose cution and
defence were well rewarded, as twelve
good men and true had been sworn TO
try the case when the hour for adjourn
ment was reach. The trial began short
ly after half past nine O'clock this
morning, in the Queens county court
house, Long Island City, before Judge
Wilmot NJ. Smith, who is presiding at
the unfinished October term of the
Crimina branch of the Supreme court
of Queens county district Attorney W.
]. Youngs, assisted by A. NJ Weller,
and assistant District Attorney George
w. Davidson, appeared for the proSecu-
ton and lawyers William +. Howe and
Joseph Moss, of the firm of Howe AMI
Hummell, had charge of the defense IF
Thorn, to which they had been assigned
by the authorities of New York AMI
Queens county. Although Thorn was
Jointly indicted with Mrs. Augusta
Mack. for the murder, it was decided
TO try them separately and District At
torney Youngs made up his mind to
try Thorn first, as the circumstantial
evidence of which the people depended
for a conviction is strongest against the
man than the woman.
In cal the prosecution fails to convict
Thorn it is not likely that Mrs. Mack
may ever brought to trial. At an early
hour this morning the court house on
Jackson avenue in the rear of which IS
the county Jail, was beseiged with people
anxious 10 gain admission to the court
room. This room at the utmost could
hardly accommodate 300 people COM
fortably, but long before O'clock ey-
cry seat and available point of vatnage
was occupied. The main body of the
court house within the enclosure was
reserved for the lawyers and the news
paper reporters and artists of which there
were over three score in attendance. The
side galleries were also filed with an
anxious crowd, one of the most prOmi-
nent On-lookers being Marie Barberi,
the Italian girl, who after being sentenc-
ed to death for the murder of her lover,
was acquitted on a second trial. This
young woman was married few days
ago, and to-day her husband sat beside
her, and both of them eyincsd very
keen interest in everything that took
place. Districts Attorney Youngs did not
expect to fill the jury box before We'd
nesday. but both he and the lawyers for
the defense worked hard and earnestly,
without clubbing or wasting a moment,
and both sides were satisfied tonight
that they procured an intelligent and
trustworthy jury. Throughout the
day Thorn was very cool, and at times
looked to be the most unconcerned per-
son in the court.
Tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock the
trial proper will be begun and District
Attorney Youngs will briefly present the
case. The lawyers think all the evidence
will not be in for at least two weeks.