The Nome nugget., 1903-05-30
Men Born on Certain
 Days Ineligible.
SYMPATHY NEEDED
Astrological Signs Guide Selection of Those Called to Try
 Murder Case.

Seattle, March eff A. J. Speckert's astrological theories prove to be cor rect, James Champoux, on trial for murder in the first degree, will have the most fair-minded jury possible to hear his case. Almost from the be- ginning of the proceedings against .Champoux the attorney for the pris- oner has made researches into the mysteries of occultism with q view to bring the results of his labor to bear upon the task of setting free the ac- ,cused man.
 The talesmen summoned into the jury room yesterday looked surprised when they were asked the precise date of their births. The spectators looked surprised when they saw men who seemingly answered every question in a way satisfactory to both sides excused for cause. The defense so far has exI ercise0 six peremptOry challenges, and the state four. This leaves eleven juf- ors already secured, any of whom may vet be excused, and who were locked up yesterday over night awaiting to- days doings.
 The insanity plea played large part in deciding the status of those called to be jurors. Many men did not think they could be made to believe the pris- oner was insane at the time of the mui- der of Lottie Brace, although they ad- mitted he might have become so after wards.
 Attorney Speckert was hard at work at his desk yesterday before court opened He had around Aim a mass of papers on which were written terms familiyH to astrologists. The phrase, sshead line of triplicity,Y was among, the simplest. of.them. gk
 Two books, with ,pagss marked and underlined, 'The Influence of the Zo- diac Upon Human Life" and "The Sci ence of Palmistry and Its Real Rela- tioas to Astrology and Chronology, , lay open before him.
 :I absolutely refuse to let any man serve as iuror," said Mr. Speckert, ''who was born under the signs of Can- cer, Scorpion or Pisces. l will not take any one born between June Fl and July ?, because a man born at such time will pay no attention to argument and cannot be talked out of anything.
 "Neither is man born between Oc- .tober 23-and November 22 eligible to serve on this jury. He will be unsym- pathetic and unfeeling. will possess indomitable will and self-control, and it would be hard to render him sensi- tive to any appeal.
 With those born between February 19 and March 2l argument and advice will also be useless. In fact, you see, they will come under the last sign Cf water triplicity," and the amiable law yer beamed as he rattled off in learned terms what he had learned of the science of astrology. He presently grew serious.
 "There is one thing that bothers me-" he said. ''After my peremptory challenges are exhausted some cold, ,unsympathetic man may become a member of the jury.
 "Now the prisoner was born in Janu- ary. So was l. Do you know that not a talesman hes been called so far who was born in ,that month? The books will tell you that man born in Janu- ary is iacapable'of committing deadly .crime except in self-defense or in fit of insanity.
 "To take a small matter. read this passage. Here it says Lha. man with small weak thumbs has not the spirit to do anything brutal. Champoux has small weak thumbs.
 ''This is the first trial in which l have ever depended upon conclusions based upon astrology in the selection of jurors, and.I don't know but that It is us good a way,of getting them as any other. generally size man up. ard and go by my own judgment. The trial will show how the new system works.
 The attitude of Champoux yesterday was the same he has always main- tained. With hls back bending for ward as though it would break, he sits silent. Court adjourned early yester- day afternoon, owing to lack of jur- .ors. It is expected that twenty-twO ,talesmsn frsm two other departments will be called into Jugde Bells court room today.
 Evidently Lawyer Speckert's plan did not work well, for his client, ,C:hampoux, was found guilty.