The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-22
EASTMAN'S
TRIAL IS
BEGUN.
Harvard Teachar is Accused
Of killing His Brother
In Law.

Cambridge. Mass. April 2e.-The trial
Of Charles II. Eastman on charge of hav-
ing murdered his brother-in law. Richard
IL. Grogan. at Cambridge. last July. was
begun I'm the East Cambridge caurt house
at 10 o'clock this forenoon. The ease has
attracted wide attention, as IL involves
many unusual features, particularly that
presented by the fact that after a hear
ing i'm the local court Eastman was dis
charged and his subsequent arrest fol-
lowed an indictment found by the grand
jury of MiddleseX county. 10 which the
case was taken after the local judge hae
failed TO hold Eastman.
The defendant Is an instructor a, Iiar-
ward University. lie has claimed that
the killing of Grogan was accidental, but
the victim, with his dying breath ac-
cused Eastman of having mur1 cred him.
The scene in and about the court room
this morning as the trial opened was an
animated one. Every available space was
occupied, the larger number OF lhose
present being men who had been sum
moned as jurors. There were 100 I'm the
special han and all but a very few of
these answered to their names. There
were very few women present.
Eastman took his place i'm the dock at
10 o'clock and was Immediately the sub
"
who had been summoned To participate in
the trial. and the few other spectators
who could crowd into the room. East
man appeared very cool and calm. lie
was dressed in a modest suit OF black,
wore "A black tie, a derby hat and neat
fitting overcoat. As he sat in the cnclo-
sure he surveyed the room very carefully
and appeared perfectly al ease.
Judge John A. Aiken of Greenfield and
Judge Francis A. Gaskill of Worcester,
who are presiding. entered the court
"a o'clock in
hand was a motion made by Attorney
General Hosea NJ. Knowlton relative 10
the empanelling and sweacins in of The
MIR. Knowlton's appearance I'm the in
terest OF the commonwealth In this case
was rather unexpected until yesterday.
Attorney Fred NJ Weir, who has had
charge OF the case. Immediately after
MT hnowitons motion the list or men
summoned under the special venire was
called
At the conclusion of this. Lawyer Sam
uel j. Elder. senior counsel for Eastman
expressed the desire for "A private con-
sultation with the court. Attorney GEN
erai Nnowlton agreed To this and with
the other counsel I'm the case, they retired
At the conclusion of the conference.
which lasted half an hour, Judge Gaskill
announced that the request OF the counsel
for the defendant had been refused ex-
cept so far as that request had TO do with
questions OF the court. Just what point
was discussed at the conference did not
appear. except that Il referred TO the
questions 60 be put TO the Jurors Law
yer Elder took exceptions TO the ruling.
Justice Gaskill explained 70 the jurors
that those who had formed opinions on
the case could not serve. nor could those
who had such opinions on the question OF
death punishment as would preclude them
from rendering an impartial Judgment.
The first juror chosen was Herbert n.
Searles. OF Marlboro. shoemaker. Chas.
T.. ID. Fletcher. a young farmer OF SLOW,
and j. j.. Whitaker. a contractor OF llud-
son, were second and third.