Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-01-24
Every Seat In Court Room To
day, Occupied By Relatives
of Defendant
POLICE HAD SITUATION IN HAND
Newspaper Men and Jury TaIe.men
Were Also Barred Out Of the Court
Room. and There Wa. No Confusion
To-day, .. Was the Case Yesterday
Thaw Cheerful.

New York jan 24.-When the Thaw
trial opened today, every seat in the
court room was again occupied by rel,
a.ives, newspaper men. jury talesmen,
and the public being barred None of
the confusion that marked the opening
session Of the court yesterday was in
evidence, the police having the situa-
ton well in hand. Justice Fitzgerald
was on the bench at 10:30 and the roll
call OF the special panel was begun.
When Thaw entered @the court room
he walked briskly by rs relatives. to
his place at the lawyes,' table. The
smiles and bows which had marked
his appearance yesterday were miss
ing. His wife leaned forward and
nodded to him.
Thaw greeted each. Of his counsel in
turn and then sat facing the first tales
man called His eyelids senled to move
heavily. as tho they had not rested well
last night. The first talesman was
George f. Langenbacker number 90,
who was quickly excused because OF
non-residence.
Isaac Kendall, banker, was drawn
as talesman number 81.
II have formed an opinion in this
case" said Kendall, but thought he
could reach fair verdict despite pre-
vious conclusions. The district attor-
aey followed in detafl the lines of ex-
animation he pursued yesterday. The
questions seemed to be directed to the
purpose of securing a jury which would
not be swayed by sentiment or emo
ton; which would be guided by the
law Of the state as interpreted by the
presiding justice to the exclusion of any
so-called higher or unwritten law. Ken
dali answered all these questions satis-
factorily, but when he said he had
known Mrs. William Thaw for many
years, he was promptly excused. The
absence of Thaw's mother from the
attorney for the defense. He said the
strain Of yesterday proved too much
for her, and that she was on the verge
OF collapse when she returned to the
hotel after the days proceedings had
closed He said also that it was not
the intention of Mrs. Thaw to attend
every session. Of court during her sons
trial. The Countess of Yarmouth was
not present. She is said to be suffer-
ing from slight cold.
Work Is Slow.
William c. Storey was excused be-
cause Of a sick wife and child. During
the examination of William c. Wilson,
bookkeeper, 1t appeared that ThaW's
counsel would again let the weight of
the task of securing a jury rest upon
the shoulders Of the district attorney.
If the talesman said he had an opinion
Jerome had to delve into the depth of
opinion, and in nearly every case he
convinced the talesnaan' that he could
waive his opinion in favor Of the legal
evidence. Wilson said he had a very
decided opinion and was not sure he
could remove that opinion from his
mind. after hearing all the testimony.
He would like to have every possible
doubt as to defendants guilt removed.
Wilson was challenged for cause and
was excused.
Thaw seemed to take little interest
in the examination of the talesmen.
His eyes sought theirs only now and
then. and most of the time he ,gazed
directly at the table before him. When
his own counsel took up the examina-
ton, Thaw appeared more animated,
and whispered several times to the at
torneys nearest him. David Barry said
he had his opinion so firmly fixed that
it would take great weight of evil
dence to dislodge 1t. BY consent he
was excused. AshbN i. Biedler was
declared disqualified by the court after
he had shown a lengthy letter to JUS
tice Fitzgerald.
Up to this time six talesmen had
been examined today without finding a
satisfactory Juror.
No Other Jurors Secured.
Twelve talesmen were examined at
the morning session today, without an
additional juror being secured, and
when the luncheon recess was ordered
the two jurymen sworn in yesterday
were the only occupants of the box.
Some of the talesmen were excused be-
cause Of prejudice which they declar-
ed could not be shaken by evidence;
others were peremptorily challenged by
the defense after consultation between
Thaw and his lawyers. Some Of the
talesmen said it would be necessary to
secure the removal of every possible
doubt before they would convict in
case involving capital punishment. Al
together thirty-one talesman have been
examined since the trial began.
The morning session Of the trial end
Cd at p. m. without the selection of
- additional juror.