Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-04-17
WOMANENNTS
BEFORE JURY
IN COURT
MRS. MOLLIE DUNCAN GRE
ATEs A DRAMATIC SCENE
WHILE ON TRIAL FOR MUIR
DER OF HER HUSBAND.


Sensational and startling In the extreme
was the scene in the criminal division
of the superior court last night when
Mrs. Molie E. Duncan. on trial for her
life for the shooting Of her husband. fell
in a faint on the floor n fnll view of the
jury and screamed hysterically.
The act, whether voluntary or involun-
tary, upon the part Of the prisoner may
be instrumental in causing q mistrial in
this, one of the most Interesting cases
ever tried in the courts pf Fulton county
When Mrs. Duncan had been borne to
private room on sofa. the crowd had
dispersed, and the jury licked in the jury
room, Judge Gambler. before whom the
case was tried, mounted the bench and
asked the woman's counsel why a mistrial
should not be declared here and then.
A vigorous protest was made and Soil
citor General Hin. declining 60 request
mistrial the court announced that the
matter would doubtless be further consid-
cred this morning. The jury was recalled
to the box and was INSTRUCTED not to dis
cuss the case while in heir room at the
hotel tsH n
Mrs. Mollie Eady Duncan was We'd
nesday placed on trial for her life in the
criminal branch OF the Fulton superior
court, with Judge y s. Gambler presiding.
She is charged with the murder of her
husband, James M. Duncan The entire
morning session was spent in securing
jury, and when the court adjourned for
dinner. at 1890, all 5urymen had been
selected, r
The case was called at 10:25. and nearly
an hour was lost in endeavoring to find
three important witnesses for the state,
who had been subpoenaed. and who had
failed to show up when the case was
called.
During this time Mrs. D1ncan sat talk
ing with her eldest son. a manly looking
little fellow of about ten.
The aged father OF James NJ. Duncan.
the man killed by Mrs. Duncan, was in
the court. and while waiting for the wit
nesses to be found he came over 70 the
chair where Mrs Duncan was seated. and
after shaking hands whh her. spoke a
few cheerful words.
Mrs. Duncan did not appear at all nerv-
Gus during the morning session. and bore
up extremely well. She sat by the side Of
her attorney and took decided interest
IN the selection. OF the men who, are to de-
eide her fate. 40.
She was dressed entirely IN black and
looked extremely pretty Mrs. Duncan ~
a tall brunette She was very pale. and
much sympathy was expressed for her
when she entered the courtroom. During
all the morning she sat at the table with
her attorneys, lingering her fan. and now
and then speaking to them about the
talesmen She watched each juryman
from the time he rose until he was reject
ed or sent to the jury room. She never
for moment took her eyes of them. and
more than once shook her head when a
juryman was called and the defense inn
mediately objected. on many of the jury
men, the attorneys for the defense took
more than the one minute allowed to de-
eide, and Judge Gambler continually called
on them to hurry.
The First Witness.
DR.. w. c. Fisher. for the state, was the
first witness called He testified in re-
gard to the wounds he found on Dun
can, and said that the bullet was fired
by a person who was level with each
other.
II. r. Granar was then called to the
stand. Granar keeps boarding house on
North Forsyth street, where the shooting
took place. He was in room directly
across the hall under the floor on which
the shooting took place. He said that he
heard no scufTle before the shot was fired.
He heard the shot, but 1t did not surprise
him, and for one minute he did not move.
Then he started upstairs. and met Miss
Shelnutt, followed by Mrs. Duncan. COM
ing down the stairs. Mrs. Duncan had a
pistol in her hand. which he took from
her. She told him she had shot her hus-
band but that she had killed him in self
denfense.
Duncan, he testified. was alone in the
room when he entered, and was lying on
his right side.