Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-03-08
THE COOPER TRIAL.
CONTINUED from Page One.)

perCeptive tremOr, moi guilty., anu
then she resumed her seat, very. very
quietly and smiled ever so slightly at
her husband. who sat between Mr..
Heath and Mr.. Goddard.
Just prior to the reading of the in
dctment. Mrs. Cooper had taken her
seat in the dock which stands just in
front of the high sheriff's desk, Mr..
Heath asked the permission of the
court to have her sit beside him, dur
ing the trial. The States attorneys OBJ
ieCted to this, saying that it was very
unusual for a prisoner to be allowed to
remain within the bar enclosure during
trial. Judge Peabody entertained the
same view, but he gave permission for
seat to he placed in the broad aisle
and Mrs. Cooper. just outside the bar
enclosure. was still near enough to be
in constant consultation with her
counsel.
1t was nearly II o'clock when the
clerl. Of courts began to read the
names of those summoned as jurors to
serve on this trial. The first man to be
called forward was Charles F. Kill
breth. chairman of the board of select
men of Winthrop. Mr.. Kilbreth was
examined to some extent by the colln-
sci Of both sides and he was challenged
by the States attorneys on the grounds
that it was rather apparent that he
had formed an opinion. Throughout the
remainder of the examination of ju-
rors great stress was laid upon the i'm
portancc of the newspaper stories of
the trial. AS each juror summoned
.,,.1 !,
the same question: Have you read the
newspapers that contained stories of
tie affair." and much depended upon
the answers of these men as to whoth-
or or not they passed unchallenGed.
'fhe second juror called was Frank
Lesser of Water"ille. Mr.. Lessor in re
Spouse to questioning admitted that
he had formed an opinion that would
lot be changed by other than very
| strong evidence. He was dismissed
| from serving by the order OF the
| court. who stated that II man strongly
| opinionated was not qualified for SER
vice upon the jury.
The next mal 10 be called was ac-
| cepted. He was K. G.. Carson of Mon
| mouth. Mr.. Carson was subjected to a
searching examination, but his APP
pearance and answers evidently led the
attorneys on both sides to believe that
he would make an honest and impair
tial juror for he was taken, and was
the first to ascend to a seat in the
panel. Mr.. Carson is a farmer by Occu-
1 patton. aged about IS years and is
married
The next two jurors called were both
accepted. The first was r. F. Hussey
Of Sidney merchant. Mr.. Hussey
said that he had read very little Of the
case in the daily press and that he felt
that he had no opinion regarding the
guilt or innocence of Mrs. Cooper. He
is about 40 years old and married.
Juror No. 3. who was quickly accept
ed, was j. w. Norton of Benton. Mr..
Norton is a farmer by occupation and
stated that he had formed no opinion.
He is about 90 years old.
Because he believed certain theories
regarding this case. Ernest Pearl of
Mt. Vernon, who was next called. was
excused by the order Of the court.
The next man called was accepted
and took his place in the panel as juror
No. !. He was Frank l.. Pray of Bel
grade. Mr. Pray said that he had en-
tertained some opinion on the case and
that this opinion had been created by
Lis reading Of the versions of the af-
fair rs published in the several news
papers at the time of the alleged muir
der. He thought. however, that his
opinion would not interfere with the
performance of his duty as a Juryman
and a citizen. Judge Pea body decided
that he was qualified and he was not
challenged. Mr.. PRAY is a farmer and
about 40 years old. He is married.
f.. J. Hodgdcn of Farmingdalc. who
said that he was farmer, was called
next and after rather long eXamina-
ton was challenged by the counsel for
the defence.
Juror No : proved to be the next
man called. He was Frank I. Bishop Of
Winthrop. Mr.. Bishop said that he is a
contractor and builder. He admitted
having formed an opinion of the case
that could be removed by evidence and
he said that he did not consider himself
biased. nor would his present opinion
prevail in the face of evidence He WAS
accepted Mr.. Bishop is about Go years
old.
W. s. Bradley of Vassalboro, who
stated tndt ne was All insurance agent,
was called next. He was subjected to
the same line of questioning by both
sides and after considerable time was
accepted. He took his place in the pam
81 as juror No. s.
At this point the court adjourned for
few minutes recess and at this point
the county attorney stated that the
witnesses summoned by the State to
appear in this case were excused from
attendance at court until Friday morn
ing.
With the return of the court five
more jurors were examined two Of
| whom were accepted. The first called
was Charles c. Lawrence of Gardiner.
Mr.. Lawrence is connected with the
, lumber business and is about 80 years
old. He said that he knew practically
nothing of the case and that al! he
knew of it was from the accounts of
affair published in a newspaper. He
was accepted.
Robert A. Cony employed in the
postofiicc in Augusta. was next called.