Evening journal., 1898-11-25
BLACKISTON'S CRIME.
The Negro is On Trial for
His Life.
MANY JURORS WE'RE CHALLENGED

GROEs DESCRIBE THE MURDER.
On Wednesday afternoon, in the
Court OF General Sessions, Robert
Stewart and John Norton were placed
ON trial, charged with highway roD-
berry. 1t was alleged that they enter
cd the laundry of Chang Lee, of No 41O
East Fifth street, and compelled him
to turn over to them all the money in
the place. The Chinaman testified how,
al the point OF a knife, he was com
pelied to give up his money. He could
not identity either of the men. Tine
robbery took place on October 2S.
Waiter H. Hayes, who represented
the prisoners, asked that Norton ne
discharged, as there was no evidence
to connect him with the case. His re-
quest was allowed, Mr.. Cooper max
ing no objection. He then asked that
Stewart be discharged, ais the indlct-
ment charged him with highway rob
/ berry, and the evidence showed that the
robbery took place in a building. Mr.
Cooper contended that the indictment
was a proper one, and was drawn un-
der the statute which defines highway
robbery as an offense which takes p.acc
on or near the highway. The court
did not grant the application. Mr.
Hayes then put in his defense.
Judge spruance charged the jury
ana instructed it to find verdict Of
not guilty in the case of Norton. He
said that Stewart could not be convicted
Of highway robbery. as the evidence
showed the offense took place inside a
building. After being out for several
minutes the jury returned verdict oi
guilty of robbery in the case Of Stew.
art, and a verdict OF not guilty in Nor.
toms case.
While the jury was discussing th'
Z case Juror Francis left the jury room
in the care of Bainff Fleming. Whel
he returned the lock on the door woui'
= not work. All the keys in the build
r ing were tried. but none of them woull
open the lock. He entered the jur
room by way OF the Office Of the at
torney-general. When the jury had al
: rived at a verdict it had to leave tn
. room in the same way
y The Superior Court spent the greats
: part Of the afternoon in going over tn
trial list again. Twenty-six cascs we1
continued, and one referred to counsa
The case Of Murphy vs. the Fire As
sociation OF Philadelphia, was discor
= tinued, a judgment Of S1O9 being gran
ed the plaintiff. The case Of Kate Z
Palmer VS.. G. w. Goodley, and the cas-
Of w. j. Faulkner and Henry Duga
:. VS.. the Wilmington City Railway Con
- pany, were discontinued.
:, Court Of Oyer and Terminer met tn
= morning and began the trial Of Hem
Blackiston, eolored, for the murder
Charles Green, colored, who was sta
bed in the back at Middletown on Nj
if l6, 1898, and died at Delaware HosDit
". on October 4, having been sent the
10 frcm the almshouse.
a In the absence OF Attorney-Gener
bv White, Deputy Attorney-GeneI
he Cooper conducted the prosecution. Ma
2 tin B. Burris and Philip L. Garrett re
he resented the prisoner.
The following jurors were drawn
try the accused, the proceeding ocC
pying more than an hour on account
at the challenges: Frank McLaughl
ty- John Davidson, John Peoples, Sami
ps, Allcorn, Price Di,worth, James Down
ght Daniel W. Ratledge,, George Spei
are man, James T. Holt, Alfred d. Raci
ns- samusl w. Talley, John H. People
an -.
Challenged by the defense-Geoi
M. Carter, James T. Webster, John
Err Reynolds, John Reese, Washington
King, Zachariah McDonOugh, Clay
'est Won Culin, Levi S. Naylor, Frank
), 3 Morrison, John w. Roberts, Edward
llso Davidson, Giles Lambson, Mords
ou- Lurty. G. G. Brown, Samuel Kidd,
Viii thaniel Hill. William H. Roberts, R
ert Betty-1S.
Chalen enged by the state-San
Moore, John p. Francis. Thomas
was Chambers, Matthew ORourke, Rich
OF H. Williams, Frank Petitdemange.
IRIS -6.
ana Conscientious scrup.es-David
10 Ward, Frederick Currinder-2.
ana Formed and expressed an opiniC
James ID. Eliason-1.
Clerk Ct the Peace Foard read
Indictment, to which the prisoner
w IA previously pleaded not guilty.
1u' u The general panel jurors were
-lNe charged until Monday morning,
loo- the additional jurors not drawn
AAen any further attendance.
Mr.. Cooper made an impressive o
G ing address. in which he defined !
cbea der. and the relation Of B.ackisto
20 q THAT crime. Ue graphically revi'