Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-09-28
GUILTY, CzOLGOSz'S PLEA
DisaIIowed by Court, However, or
Technical Grounds.
JURY WAS QUICKLY SECURED
Surgeons Tell Of the Death Of the President
and the Effect Of the Assassin's Shot
Upon the Various Organs Trial
May End Today.

Buffalo, Sept. "a Leon F. Czolgosz
was placed on trial yesterday morning
charged with the murder Of President
William Mckinley. He entered a 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 con-
vened at 10 O'Clock and within two
hours eight jurors had been secured.
Technicalities we're not raised by ex-
aiming counsel, but 1t was significant
that every man who said he had not
formed an opinion on the case was ex-
cused by the district attorney. Those
who acknowledged they had formed an
opinion or stated that they were pre-
JUDGED, but admitted that their opin-
ion could be changed by evidence. were
accepted by each side.
Justice Truman C. White, one OF the
Oldest and most experienced of the SUI
preme court judges was on the bench.
Immediately after the opening OF the
court and after the prisoner had plead
ed. Justice Loran l.. Lewis, senior
counsel for the defendant announced
that together with his colleagues, form
err Justice Robert C. Titus and Mr..
Carlton K. Laid, they were ready to
act In behalf of the prisoner.
II thought it BEST" he said, "for my
colleagues and myself that / should
say something regarding our presence
here as attorneys for the defendant. AT
the time my name was suggested l was
out OF the city and knew nothing of
what was transpiring here with ref
erence to the selection of counsel for
the defendant. When the circumstances
of my selection we're told to me was
extremely reluctant to accept. But the
duty had been imposed and consider
ed it my duty, in view of all the cir
cumstances to defend this man.
II ask that no evidence be presented
here-that the court will not permit
the acceptance of any evidence unless
1t would be accepted at the trial of the
most meagre criminal in the land"
II am familiar with these circum-
stances" said Justice White In reply.
"and I wish to say / 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"
Securing the Jurors.
The work of securing the jurors was
then undertaken with celebrity that
was amazing. Before the day was over
the entire panel had been sworn, the
jurors had listened to description of
the Temple of Music where the crime
occurred, had seen photographs of tle
interior of that structure, and had been
told by three surgeons what caused the
dea.h~of the president and the effect
of the assassins shot upon the various
organs of the body. They had also
heard why the fatal bullet had not
been located.
Following is the jury selected:
FREDERICK V. LAURER, plumber.
RICHARD J. GARWOOD foreman
HENRY w. WENDT, manufacturer.
SILAS GARNER, farmer
JAMES S. STYGALL, JR., plumber.
WILLIAM LOTOR. farmer.
WALTER e. EVERETT. blacksmith.
BENJAMIN C RALPH, bank cashier.
SAMUEL p. WALDO. farmer.
ANDREW ]. SMITH, merchant
JOACHIM II. MERTENS, merchan.
ROBERT J. ADAMS, contractor
The presentation of the govern
ment's case began shortly before 3
O'Clock when Assistant District AT
torney Halter began, with much de-
liberation, to address the jury. He
spoke very briefly.
I'VE shall show" said he. that, for
some days prior to the shooting this
defendant had premeditated the shoot
ing of the president. He knew that on
the Sept. 6 the president would re-
ceive the populace in ,4e Temple Of
Music; that on that day he went to the
exposition, got into line with the peo-
pie and approached the president; that
he had weapon concealed in his
hand, and as the president extended
his hand in kindly greeting he fired the
fatal shot.
The Fatal Shot.
"He fired two shots, in fact. one of
them took effect in the abdomen and
caused that mortal wound which re-
suited in the Presidents death. That.
in brief, is the story which we shall
show you. Witnesses will tell you this
story, and l am sure that when you