The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-12
NOT GUILTY, He PLEADS
Calm and Smiling He Goes Through
the Ordeal,
AlARGE CROWD GATHERS IN THE COURT
The Drawing of TaIesmen. It is Believed There
viii be Much Delay in securing a
Competent Jury to Try
The Case.
Especial to the News and observer)

Especial to the News and Observer.)
Elizabeth City, N. c., March 11.-''Not
guilty" pleaded James Wilcox. through
Z. F.. Aydlett, one of his lawyers, this
afternoon when arraigned to answer for
the death of his one-time sweetheart.
Ella Maud Cropsey.
Judge Jones announced before lunch
that Wilcox would be arraigned the first
thing when court re-convened and that
brought the biggest crowd of look
ers on that had yet assembled. The
prisoner was brought into court promptly.
1T was the first time he had been out of
doors for many days. The defendant sat
down near his counsel His father
former Sheriff Tom Wilcox, took chair
just behind him.
stand up," commanded District At
torney Ward, addressing the prisoner
and hold up your right hand Now put
it down"
Wilcox remained standing while the
States attorney read the following in
dictment in a clear voice.
State of North Carolina Pasauotank
county. Superior Court, March term.
1902 The jurors for the State, upon
their oaths, present that James Wilcox.
OF the county of Pasquotank, State of
North Carolina on the Goth day of No
vember, 1901, with force of arms at and
in the county and State aforesaid. felo-
niously, wilfully and of his malice afore-
thought did kill and murder Ella M.
Cropsey, against the form of the statue
i'll such case made and provided and
against the peace and dignity of the
State"
The indictment bore the signatures of
Geo. W. Ward solicitor, and c. j. Ward.
foreman of the grand jury
During the reading of the indictment
Wilcox looked straight ahead but did not
watch the readers face He seems in
excellent health and is some fifteen
pounds heavier since his incarceration,
but the prison pallor is on his face. His
eyes are the weakest part of the ex-
preston.
Wilcox was nicely dressed. wearing
well fitting dark coat and light trous-
ers freshly laundried linen, turn down
collar black bow tie and newly polished
shoes. His hands were folded across his
lap during most of his stay in the court
room. He gave no token of nervous
ness but on the contrary smiled pleas
antly once or twice at something the
lawyers were saying.
How will the defendant be tried?"
asked the court
by God and his country" responded
an attorney.
The prosecuting counsel declared the
States readiness to enter the case
Thursday morning and the defense law
yers said they would be ready Thursday
or Friday of this week. 1t was finally
agreed that the case should be called at
O'Clock Thursday afternoon.
1t was decided, after discussion. that
250 veniremen would be necessary to
start with and Sheriff Grandy got wal
nut box containing the names of pros
pCctive talesmen. Ten year old William
Young was brought in to draw the names.
which were read out by Sheriff Grandy
and copied by counsel and others
The name reading developed the fact
that twenty-five of the persons men
toned had died or moved away and that
brought about a discussion of the statute
which provides that the list shall be re-
vised every two years. Register of Deeds
Spence was sworn and gave evidence
Defense's counsel noted exception to
the drawing of the names from the box
and il was contcnded that only one of
those drawn had been away more than
two years.
Among the talesmen drawn are H. T.
Greenleaf. chairman, and L. L. Wfnder,
of the citizens committee of five who
directed the search for Nells body, and
J A. Kramer another committeeman.
It is believed there will be much de-
lay i'm getting competent jury, though
that obstacle would not be akeviated by
a removal to another county since the
ease has attracted almost international
interest
When the drawing of names was done
with there were only five left in the
box. The prisoners lawyers made no at
tempt TO have change of venue. That
was determined upon at a conference of
the attorneys last night. They decided
that their client would have as good
showing here at home as anywhere.
Wilcoxs father said tonight that only
two Witnesses had been summoned by the
defense so far One of these is Charles,
brother of Caleb T. Parker, who said he
saw man have in his arms a woman
near the Cropsey home on the night of
the disappearance The defense will
seek to prove by Charles Parker that
Caleb was at home before Nell Cropsey
disappeared.
The prosecution has summoned Capt.