Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-02-02
TWELVE MEN ARE NOW
In THE THAW JURY BOX


of emotional insanity will be the
main reliance OF the young defen-
dant This probably will lead to q
crisis on the questioning OF the
states witnesses as to any pecu-
iariiy they may have noticed in
Thaw's conduct the night of the
! tragedy, In which event the conclu.
sicn OF the states direct testimony
may take longer than Is now anti.
cipatcd.
Thaw In Good Spirits.
T'haw seemed to be in the best of
spirits as the last juror was sworn
Forty talesmen had been examined
In turn during the day and every
one in the court room, including
the defendant himself was waiting
Istlessly for the hour of adjourn.
lnent TO arrive when Bernard
Gertsman, who said he was man.
ufacturer's agent said he had no
opinion in the case that would pre-
vent him from rendering fair
and impartial verdict; that he was
not prejudiccd against any line On
deefnce. and would give the prison.
or the benefit of every reasonable
doubt
But" suggested District Attorney
jerome, would you go further than
that and require the State to re.
move every possibility of doubt"
II would certainly want every
doubt removed" replied Gertsman be-
fore I would vote to convict in capl.
tai case"
The district attorney challenged
the juror for cause. declaring he
was inclined to be more exactlng
than the law.
Thaw's attorneys were not con
tent Nto let the taiesman go. and
on cross examination they brought
his answers within the legal re-
quirements. Mr.. Geftsman replying
to Mr.. Hartridge that he meant by
doubt" any doubt that reasona-
BILE man might entertain. Justice
Fitzgerald held this to be a compe-
tent answer and overruled District
Attorney Jeromes challenge.
The people are content" an
nounced MIR. Jerome This was a
complete surprise for it was the
/ impression in the court room that
a peremptory challenge would be
interposed by the prosecution. Tho
juror was swom.
Defense Opposes Removal Of Jurors.
Thaw smiled In evident satisfac-
ton he and his wife exchanged
glances Rumors In circulation
throughout the day that one, and
possibly two more jurors were to be
excused from further service anu
added to the list of those who have
been examined and sworn. only to
be subsequently, released in some
cases without explanation.
There were several conferences
of the attorneys and it was stated
that Thaw's counsel positively re.
fused 10 consent to any further
removals.
The days events bore out this
statement. At the noon recess MIR.
Jerome made another unsuccessful
effort to gain his end. Until the
interest attended the completion Of
the panel late in the afternoon,
there mad been but one incident o.
mote in the court room. This was
a sensational move by Assistant
District Attorney Caravan. whb again
today continued to inquire OF the
talesmen IL they had been approach
ed Or spoken to about the case III
any way since being summoned. One
of the talesmen at the afternoon
session admitted that he had spoken
with several persons who sat near
him In the court. He was not per.
sonally acquainted with Thaw.
Hints Of jury Packing.
Roger o'Mara stand up" shouted
Mr.. Caravan.
Then for the first time since the
trial began. the presence in court Of
the PttsbIrg detective. who has
been employed by Thaw family TO
gather evidence for the defendant,
was revealed. He arrived in this city
Wednesday but came to court this
afternoon on his initial visit.
O'Mara promptly arose and faced
the talesman.
is that the man you spoke WITH"
Mn. Caravan asked dramatically?
1T Is not" the talesman replied.