The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-20

\ ~ man dhs tat was
Had Read the Newspapers.
Edward E Nuth testified that ne hat
never served on a jury before, but ha'
formed an opinion from reading the pa
| pers. IL was not prejudiced however. an,
he could render Just verdict on the evi
dence. He then said that ii would requir'
very strong evidence to overthrow hi
opinion. but that he was open 10 convic
] tion. He was challenged for cause. an,
stated TO the court that although he hat
a strong opinion. he would not let IL stanS
! in the way OF his service on the jury. Mr.
| Muth was temporarily accepted, Mr.. irving
excused. and Madden Butler called by tn,
| Government and excused.
Benjamin Gissell was called He hat
never talked with any of the witnesses il
the case, but had formed an opinion which
it would require very strong evidence t,
cuntrovert. He was challenged for caus,
and Mr.. Gould examined him but onI,
drew from him the statement that he has
an opinion which 1t would be hard (,
change He was asked if he was a man o
quick impulses and il he made up hi,
mind quickly. TO which he replied tina
sometimes he did. Gissell was finally ex.
cused by reason OF non belief in life i'm.
prisonment as adequate punishment fol
murder.
Frederick ". Behrens had talked with
orhcials in the Office in which defendant
was formerly employed and had formed
such prejudiced opinion that he could MOI
conscientiously take up the duty of jury
man He was challenged for cause.
William Fenducr was next called and
1 excused, being sixty-seven years of age.
George Cardoza, colored. was opposed Il
capital punishment and disqualified
Samuel Haldeman was also opposed to
capital punishment and excused
John W. Ray, a gardener. said that he did
not form opinions from newspaper reports
and that he felt that he could render a
just verdict in accordance with the evil
and questioning he was accepted and
seated
Mr.. Somerville was then excused by
counsel for the defence.
An Inconsistent TnIesman.
Ralph Wormley. colored, was not OPP
posed to capital punishment. neither did
he favor 1t in all cases Under some cir
cumstances he was of opinion that life i'm
prisonment was a punishment sufficient.
He was challenged for cause and uues-
toned by the court. He stated that he
was open to conviction through evidence
and the challenge was overruled. He was
again challenged for cause. being charged
with inconsistency, and was asked by the
court TO explain himself He then said:
Il think that when anything favors a
man he should be given a verdict accord
ingiy. and upon redirect examination said
again that he thought that murder de-
served hanging. and that he could not give
a verdict for life Imprisonment. Tho
prosecution declined TO oppose the chal-
lenge and Wormiey was excused.
Augustus B. Bishop was examined and
excused.
Joseph A. Lynn. street railway con-
ductor. proved 10 be desirable and was
seated
Mr.. Ray was excused
?. J. Lynch wished to be excused be-
cause be could not spare the time TO serve
on the jury. He kept a saloon and did
his own work, never had been sick. and
never left bis business. but his wife at
tended TO come OF the work for him during
the morning. He said that jury duty
would seriously impede his business. and
that the law against female bartenders
would not permit his wife to do the work.
He was thereupon excused.
William 7. Smith was excused. as he
mad rendered Jury service in June last.
Charles Nohe had expressed a decided
cfiAAOh eAIhttof W lLt GttQ
that he did not feel that any evidence
could change his opinion. He was ex-
cused
Thomas Norwood was the next talesman
examined. He had formed an opinion, but
was not preiudiced against the defendant.
He was accepted.
Mr.. Wallace was excused by the Gov
Arthur B. Nichols was called, but being
an attorney on pension claims, was ex-
cused
Charles II. Peters had formed An opin-
ION. and was challenged. IL was sustained.
He Had known the Defendant.
Nye Worthington, a contractor. was
called. Has been for seven years casually
acquainted with the defendant. He had
formed an opinion as to the sanity of the
defendant from newspaper accounts. but
II be were placed in the jury box, he said,
be would be guided solely by the evidence.
and not at all biased by his opinions
After considerable questioning on both
sides. he was peremptoriiy challenged.
X. W. Henderson had formed no opinion
in the case, nor Of the sanity Of the de-
tendant, nor had he any special prejudice
againSt life imprisonment in lieu of the
ieath penalty, and was accepted.
Thomas l. Fenwick was examined and
stated he is over sinty-fve years Of age.
He was excused for cause.
James W. Muse was next called and
stated he had formed an opinion as to the
guilt or innocence. This opinion is so
strong that be did not believe he could
give the defendant an impartial trial.
II. NJ. Herrell said he had formed an
opinion of the case from what be read in
he newspapers. but could render a verdict
'olely on the evidence as presented By the
witnesses.
W. II. Monroe was next called. He said
hat at the time of the murder of Lizzie |
he formed very positiye
opinion, which was arrived at from con- |
'ersation with others. He stated he feared
hat his prejudices would not permit him |
o be impartial.
Joseph c. Stewart the next talesman !
allied, was disqualified because he served |
IS juror during the October term OF |
curt
Henry J. Goodman said he had formed an
pinicn in the case and could not consci-
ntiously serve as a juror.
Veteran Excused.
James F. Brewer said he could arrive. at
verdict on the evidence. He had. how
yer. formed an opinion in the case but
aid that would not prevent him from civ
ng the defendant an impartial trial.
Mr.. Brewer. though only twenty-five
ears OF age. is a veteran OF the Spanish
american war, and, though qualified as a
uror, WAS excused by the court because
4 his health
William Nick. Osborn had formed a very
ecided opinion. and was challenged and
reused for cause.
Samuel Lee served last April ani was ex-
used.
At 4:30 the court adjourned until this
forming at 10 o'clock
Reception TO Miss Singh