Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1904-03-24
CIRCUIT COURT
March Term Crittsnden Circuit
Court Convened Monday

The Critten den Circuit Court conyen
cd Monday with Judge J. Fleming Cor
don on the bench. Despite the incle
ment weather large crowd was in towi
and the court room was comfortably
filed. After the usual reading by tn,
clerk and the swearing in Of the sheriff
and his deputies, the names OF those
persons who had been summoned tc
serve as grand jurors were called and al
responded except two. The following
out OF the published list given last week
with two by-standers, were chosen 70
serve during the present term: WILDLY
Guess, j. II. Belts, K. K. Harpending,
III. f. Dalton, j. l.. Clifton, j. l.. Walker,
w. |. Tabor, Geo. ID. Hughes, Charles
Clement, j. A. Lewis, Al Dean and
Henry Farmer,
Judge Gordon then gave his instruc-
tions to- the grand jury, which were
The instructions were lengthy but plain
and ably delivered, covering the various
crimes and misdemeanors and other yio-
lations OF law, from murder TO a breach
OF the peace. Law, he said, was for the
protection OF our life, liberty and per
suit OF happiness. Any interference
with these was violation OF law.
The grand jury is a very important
part OF the court and are the most indie
pendent OF all citizens. They can not
bring indictments against themselves or
each other, but no other citizen is ex-
empt il the jury thinks the evidence
against him sufficient TO indict.
The Judge called attention to the
different violations OF law, explained the
nature Of each and the penalty. Homi-
eide, the taking Of human life, may be
iustifiable or unjustifiable. When taken
wilfully and with malice aiorethought,
however recent or remote the malice may
have dated, it is murder. II taken will
fully and Intentionally, but without NAL
ice, IL is voluntary man slaughter. IL
done in sudden heat and passion, in
sudden impulse, ii is involuntary man
slaughter. Unsuitable homicide is where
life is taken in self defense or in defense
Of family or friend. Various other Of
fences against the law-rape, seduction,
concealed weapons, blind tigers
violation OF election laws, selling ihtoxi.
eating drinks TO minors or inebriates-
were each dwelt upon by the Judge.
AS to house-breaking, he said, one did
not have TO hammer down door and
enter a house in order to constitute
house breaking. III the door was closed
and tied by only a toe string, or simply !
propped by a chair, opening the door
and entering without the knowledge or
consent Of the owner, is, under the law,
house breaking.
He told the jury it was their duty TO |
inspect the court house to see il was |
fit building and in proper condition for
the holding OF the courts and the pro-
lection of the public records. We should
have a court house Of which the people
should feel proud and the public records
would be safe. OF course some people |
would kick and petty politicians would
talk much and loud but let them do so. !
II the grand jury thought the present
building not in keeping with the growth
Of the town and the needs Of the people
it was their duty TO condemn 1t. I'll
they would condemn the present house,
he would do the rest, so far as the old
building Is concerned.