Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-02-01
WAS over FITNESS OF A JUROR
Three More Were, Dismissed at Yes,
terday's Session Blu. the Dsstric.
Attorney Wanted Fourth Retired
But Could Not Gain His Point
Jury Still has Eleven Members.
(By Assoeiated press.l

(by ASSOCIATED PreH5.l
NEW YORK, Jan. 31.-Sensations
were frequent in the Thaw murder
trial today /. and before the two
sessions of court had ended three
sworn Jurors had been released from
further service In the case, making
five in all summarily excused from
the trial panel during the last three
days. ~
In the case of two Of the released
jurors no explanation was made In
court The third was allowed to
go upon a physician's certificate that
his life was impaired by the close
confinement of Jury service Three
satisfactory talesmen were found to
replace the excused jurors. so that
when the rapidly shifting situation
underwent survey at the close OF
the day there were again eleven
men in the jury box. the same
number that had been seated at
the close OF yesterdays session.
Rumors were current tonight that
tho end OF the. jury changes is not
yet in sight and that further chang.
es may be added to what has al
ready become an unprecedent record
in criminal procedure in New York
city
There were several conferences OF
attorneys this afternoon, at which
District Attorney Jerome is said to
have vigorously urged the release or
still another juror now in the panel.
Thaw's counsel, however, refused and
blocked every effort OF the prosecu.
ting officers in the direction.
Attorneys Were Bitter.
Disagreement. which was first de.
veloped in Justice Fitzerald's cham
bers half an hour before the after
noon session began, was resumed
in open court at the judges desk
twice hereafter, and cngendered il
bitter feeling among the attorneys.
Heretofore the relations of the dis
trict attorney and his assistants
with Thaw's counsel have been OF
the fricndlicst nature. This after
noon there was Eviction of the most
apparent character
The first of the days sensations
came Immediately after the tardy
opening of the morning session. The
delay was due to a conference Of
the attorneys with the presiding
Judge. This conference had hardly
got under way when tine rumor went
out that two jurors we're to De
excused. Finally when court opened
District Attorney Jerome announced
that 1t had been unanimously agreed
to relieve Jurors David 8. Walker,
and Louis Haas from further service.
Mr.. Walker, who is son of John
Brisben Walker, was No. and l:r.
Haas was No. Q on the jury roll.
Neither Know Why.
Both are young men and unmar.
ried. Neither could offer an expla-
nation of the courts action in order.
ing their discharge. 1t was taken
for granted that the release of
these two jurors had ended the
days surprises, but during the lunch
con recess rumors of a further re-
dllction in the personnel of the jury
were put In circulation and these
were given color when it was learn.
cd that another earnest conversation
of counsel with Justice Fitzgerald
was in progress. The name OF the
juror under consideration was again
discussed about the court building.
1t was also stated that he was II
Juror whom Thaw and his counsel
hal been particularly pleased to
have on the trial panel.
Thaw's attorneys had been none
too willing to allow Mcssrs Walker
and Haas to he replaced and it was
only after long argument by the
District Attorney that they con
seHted to the case of the third man.