The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1898-05-09
the JURY may
DISAGREE
Such is the General Belief of
Prominent Lawyers on the
Col. Cooper Case.
JURY'S POLITICAL COMPLEXION
A Chance Which Counsel for the
Defence Let Slip.
District Attorney Vandesrift Believed
to Hare Strengthened His Case
for the Govcrnment.--An Now
Hinges on the Result OF
Conper's Trial.
POLITICAL COMPLEXION

The trial Of Col. Ezekiel T. Cooper,
charged with assisting in the looting OF
the First National Bank OF Dover, will
be resumed this morning at 10. Is O'Clock
in the United States District Court.
1t is not known how much time will
he consumed in the case, but it is
thought that it will last at least two
weeks longer unless some unforeseen
circumstances arise, that might bring
the trial to a sudden conclusion.
Could this have occurred on Friday
morning of last week if Levi @. Bird,
ESD, and United States Senator Gray
had been far sighted enough before the
beginning OF the trial to have filed de-
murrers against the dates of certain
checks PRODUCED in evidence by United
States Districts Attorney Lewis c. VAN
degrif, is also 4 mooted question among
the attorneys.
They failed to do so, however, and
never noticed their error until it was
brought to their attention by the signif-
cant remark of Judge Bradford.
His Honor in calling their attention
to the matter then stated that had they
taken the course stated he would have
been inclined to quash the indictment.
This number of lawyers intimate
would have created scene and it is con-
sidered fortunate that no demurrers were
filed.
II is a well known fact that this is the
test case in the famous bank robbery,
and upon it hinges the fate OF not only
Colonel Cooper, but also that of Thomas
S. Clark and the lvmainder of the cele-
brated ''seyen."
Since the remark of Judge Bradford
however, it is believed amongst the
majority of lawyers that the defence has
strengthened its case, as the District At
torney scored some telling points during
Friday afternoons session.
He also made counsel for the defense
show their hand and line of defense to
be adopted by them-tEat Mr.. Cooper
paid money to William n. Boggs, then
pa ling and receiving teller OF the bank
and received no credit therefor on the
books of the institution.
This will materially assist the District
Attyrr, y at the present stage OF he case
and ma;' eventually Y result in the con-
vic,ion OF Colonel Cooper and other
lonters OF the bank.
There is diversity OF opinion among
the prominent lawyers who have so far
attended the trial. A number of them
believe that the jury will disagree and
OF hers that it will be either conviction or
acquiltal.
The majority, however, incline to the
belief Of disagreement, and should this
happen new trial will have to be given
the colonel.
do you know the POLITICAL complexion
OF the jury trying the case? ~ asked a
well known lawyer. yesterday afternoon.
"No, was the reply. "Well," '" continued
the attorney, lit is evenly divided, six
Democrats and six Republicans.
This in itself is considered significant
and gives more cause for the rulnor that
the jury will disagree.
Another report has also gained cur
rency, it is alleged, during the week and
that is the allegation that a number of
the petit jurymen had expressed thei.
determination not to convict the colonel
il there was any way possible to prevent.
This is said to have been made before
any of the "a men empaheled knew who
would be the II to decide the case.