Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-02-01

view OH, jan. Ol.-sceilSdtlOilS were
frequent in the Thaw murder trial to-
day 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 summar-
ily excused from the trial panel during
the last three days. In the case OF
two of the released jurors no eXplana-
ton was made in court. The third
was allowed to go upon physicians
certificate that his life would be i'm
perilled by the close confinement of
jury service. Three satisfactory tales
men were found to replace the excused
jurors SO that when the rapidly shift
ing situation underwent q survey at
the close of the day there were again
II men in the jury box, the same num-
Der that had been seated at the close
OF yesterdays session.
Rumors We're current tonight that
the end of the jury changes is not yet
in sight and that further chapters may
be added to what has already become
an unprecedented record in criminal
procedure in New York City. There
were several conferences of attorneys
this afternoon at which District Attor-
ney jerome is said to have vigorously
urged the release Of still another jur-
or now on the panel. ThaW'S counsel,
however, are said to have blocked ev-
cry effort of the prosecuting officer in
this direction. The disagreement
which first developed in Justice FitZ-
gerald's chambers half an hour before
the court began was resumed in open
court at the judges desk twice there
after and threatens a bitter feeling
among the attorneys. This afternoon
there was friction OF the most appar-
ent character.
The first of the days sensations came
Immediately after Il tardy opening Of
the morning session. The delay was
due to n conference of the attorneys
with the presiding judge. This confer
ence had already got underway when
the rumor went cut that two jurors
were to be excused Finally when
court opened District Attorney jerome
announced that it had been unanimous
" agreed to relieve Jurors David s.
Walker and Louis Haas from further
service. Mr.. Walker, who is a son Of
John BriSben Walker, was the occupant
of seat No. and Mr.. Haas was No.
. on the jury roll. Both are young
men and unmarried. Neither would Of
fer IN explanation for the courts &C
ton in ordering their discharge and
Mr.. Walker especially appeared to be
taken by surprise.
1t was taken for granted that the re-
lease Of these two jurors had ended
the days surprises, but during the
luncheon recess rumors Of n further re-
duction in the personnel of the jury
were put in circulation, and these were
given color when it was learned that
another earnest consultation of cOun-
sci with Justice Fitzgerald was in pro-
gress. The name of the juror under con-
siGeraticn was again discussed about
the court building. and it was also stat
cd that he was a juror whom Thaw and
his counsel had been particularly
pleased to have on the trial panel and
that the lawyers for the defence would
fight to the last any effort to dislodge
him. Thaws attorney had been unwill-
ing to allow Messrs. Walker and Hass
to be replaced,and it was only after a
long argument by the district attorney
that thew consented in the case of the
third man.
The afternoon conference evidently
was one of some warmth, for when Dis
trict Attorney jerome appeared In the
ccurt room he was visibly flushed and
walked with the determined stride o,
\ thoroughly angry man. He dispatched
his assistant, Mr.. Garvan, on an err
rand and sat down pulling viciously al
his stubby noustache, while the clerk
hogan to call the roll of talesmen.
When no announcement was made as
~ further discharges from the jury
naneI. it was taken for granted that
Mr.. Hartridge and the others OF Thaw's
counsel had won the battle with the
district attorney. The examination OF
the first talesman called after the con-
ference were carried under circum
stances that indicated the feeling
which existed on both sides and one
talesman. nearly so years of age. whom
neither side seemed to want, came yer!
near taking the cath because Mr.. Je'
rome refused to carry on the eXamna
| t;on when counsel for the defence de-
| ciined to give immediate consent to tine
proposed jurors withdrawal Thaw':
! attorney also declined to examine th'