The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1901-09-27
Assassin's Plea of Guilty !!
Changed by Order of Court.
TRIAL TO BE SHORT
Physicians Who Attended the
President Tell of the Nature
of the Wounds.

Garwood, street railway foreman
Henry W. Wendt, manufacturer; Silai
GARNER, farmer; James s. Stygall
plumber; William Lemon, farmer
Walter E. Everett, blacksmith; Ben
jamin F. Ralph, bank cashier
Samuel P. Waldo. merchant; An
rev J.Smith, produce dealer Joachim
H. Mertims, shoe dealer; Robert ],
Adams, contractor
Leon F. Ozolgosz was placed or
trial Monday morning, charged with
the murder Of President Mckinley.
He entered plea of guilty" which
was subsequently changed to mot
guilty" by direction Of the court.
All the events of the day indicated
that the trial will be short. Court
convened at 10 O'Clock and within
two hours eight jurors had been Sc
cured. Justice Truman O. White,
one of the oldest and most expert
enced Of the supreme court judges,
was on the bench. Immediately after
the opening of the court and after
the prisoner had pleaded Justice
Loran L. L. Lewis, senior counsel
for the defendant announced that, to-
gether with his colleague, Justice
Robert @. Titus and Mr.. Carlton E.
Ladd, they were ready to act in be-
half of the prisoner.
81 thought it BEST" he said, "for
my colleague and myself that /
should say nothing regarding our
presence here as attorney for the de-
PENDANT. At the time my name was
suggested was out of the city and
knew nothing Of what was transpir-
ing here with reference to the selec-
tion Of counsel for the defense. When
the circumstances Of my selection
were told to me, I was extremely re-
luctant to accept, but the duty had
been imposed and I considered it my
duty In all the circumstances to de-
fend this man.
81 ask that no evidence be present-
ed here-that the court will not per-
NIT the introduction of any evidence.
unless IL would be accepted at the
trial Of the most meagre criminal in
the land"
81 am familiar with these circum-
stances" said Justice White, In re-
ply, land wish to say I will give
you every assurance that the prisoner
will have fair and impartial trial,
and that during the progress of the
trial he will receive such treatment
as the law demands in any criminal
case"
The work of securing the Jurors
was then undertaken with a celebrity
that was amazing. Before the day
was over the entire panel had been
sworn, the jurors had listened to de-
scription of the Temple of Music.
where the crime was committed, had
seen photographs of the interior of
hat structure, and had been told by
three surgeons what caused the death
of the president, and the effect Of the
shot upon the various or
sans Of the body.
They had also learned why the IA
al bullet had not been located. The
OF the governments case
began shortly before 8 o'clock, when
Assistant District Attorney Haller
,egan, with much deliberation, to
address the jury. He spoke very
,riefy. "we shall show" said he,
that for some days prior to the
this defendant had premedi-
ated the shooting Of the president.
lie knew that on the 9th Of Septic n
yer the president would receive the
,opulace in the Temple of Music
hat on that day he went to the expo
ition, got into line with the people
nd approached the president that he
lad q weapon concealed in his hand |
nd as the president extended his
and in kindly greeting he fired the |
atal shot.
He fired two shots in fact. One
4 them took effect in the abdomen
nd caused q mortal wound which re-
ulted in the presidents death. That, |
n brief, 10 the story we shall show |
'ou. Witnesses will tell you this
tory and am sure that when you
ave heard the evidence you will
ave no difficulty in reaching q YER
lict Of murder in the first degree.
The first witness, Samuel ]. Fields.
A LOUISIANA GUSHER