The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-07-12
NEW SENSATION
IN The KOCH CASE
Koch s Lawyers Preparing to Dis
credit One of States Star
Witnesses.

Special to The Journal.
Mankato, Mimi, July 12.-Rumors
are flying around the courtroom this
morning as to the attitude the defense
states Star Witness from Hanska. At
torneys for the defense say they have
heard that Ulen is not well and has
been acting rather strangely of late.
They say that it has been reported
to them that Ulen has occasionally had
Authorizations, and that he was once
examined as to his sanity. They say,
part has failed to confirm reports as to
Ulen's examination.
/ It may be that the defense will I'M
dertake to show that Ulen has had
Authorizations and will claim that his
alleged conversation with DR.. Koch,
when he says the latter made approach
es about getting him to kill DR.. Geb-
hardt, was one Of these.
Ulen was gubpenaed today, together
with other Hanska witnesses. No at
tempt was made at the other two trials
to impeach Ulen s testimony, and it has
been understood that he is held in the
highest respect by his neighbors. He
has been looked upon as one of the
most dangerous witnesses to the de-
tense and the present talk may simply
be intended to discredit him.
The examination Of talesmen was re-
sumed this afternoon. B. L. Miller,
lie Roy, and Fred c. Peterson, St.
Clair Farmers, and W. NJ. Boughton,
| Amboy, a wel1digger, were examined,
and as they developed opinions they
were excused by consent. E. G.. Koch,
the aged father Of the defendant, ar
rived this morning from New Ulm and
sat beside his son in the courtroom,
! joining group Of relatives.
Juror No. 7.
Benjamin McGregor, cashier of the
Mapleton State bank, was accepted as
the seventh juror. He is about 81 years
old and has been admitted to the bar.
Mr.. McGregor had no opinion regard
ing the case, but had a slight one which
he could lay aside, and he said that
trying the case fairly and impartially.
John Johnston Of Mapleton said that
he had an opinion, altho not decided
one, regarding certain portions Of the
evidence, but he could try the case i'm
partially. The triers thought that he
could not, however, and he was ex-
, cused. .'.,
George Norman Of LIE Roy had some
conjunction about capital punishment
and he said that he would want to see
the murder committed himself or have
lawful strong evidence He was ex
cused.
Peremptory Challenges.
i A. M. Halshill, well-known travel
, ing man, had not read anything about
, the case because of eyesight and hao
only. heard it talked Of in his family
, He had no opinion and made an idea
: Juror. It seemed as tho he was about
), to be accepted, but the defense sud
I denly 6 halIlenged him peremp torily:
T was not challenged by the defense ant
) passed the ordeal Of the triers and tn,
t state used its second peremptory chal
! lenge.
q During the forenoon nineteen tales
men were examined, but Mr.. McGrego
proved to be the only one acceptable
: to both sides. There remain onl,
seven talesmen Of the last special We
nire, and these will be exhausted b,
the middle Of the afternoon. Judg
: Cray has not. yet ordered another spe
cial venire, but will undoubtedly d
:. 50 when the jurors still remaining hav
been used up. This may necessitat
taking recess over tomorrow.