The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1908-01-20
SOON
CHOSEN TO
TRY WILSON

of seriousness about the man, if it was
one, that he displayed.
Outside of the Court House a small
crowd gathered in the areaway, and
this was kept moving by a policeman
detailed for that purpose. Inside of the
Court House, however, a motley crowd,
embracing quite a percentage of ne
groes. had made its headquarters near
the same doors. Constables from he
Sheriff's office, however, were OH guard,
and nc one was admitted except jurors,
witnesses M others having legitimate
business in the courtroom.
The swearing of the jury was brief
enough and 1t is expected that he
whole trial will be kept within three
days. Prosecutor Henry Young asked
the formal questions of the jurors as to
whether they had any scruples as to
the conviction of a man of murder in
the first degree under the evidence pro-
duced by the State. Few of them ex-
pressed such hesitancy. and If they did
they were promptly challenged.
AS the murderer has confessed, the
defense will be a merely nominal one,
under the law requiring that a muir
derer must be tried and cannot plead
guilty.
The defense challenged eight e all
of them because they came from the
city of Orange, while two were chal-
lenged "for cause" that is, they said
that they could not conscientiously and
anybody guilty of murder In the first
degree.
This is a list of the Jurors;
A1harf Mini II, P0rof1Non. 1nhn RanE.
Cornelius Davies, Thomas Wadsworth,
Raymond lie Massena. Alden Fischer,
James Kirkman, David L. Oils, Henry
NJ. Lutes, Dougald Currie. William A.
McManus, Orrin e. Park.
Prosecutor Young followed the swear
ing in of the jury with the story of the
horrible crime, that has been told by the
newspapers during its various phases.
lie told about the discharge of the
negro from the Park Hotel, where he
had been employed, n where the muir
der took place, his concealment on the
fatal day, tying in wait for his victim
in his hotel room, the use of the heavy
iron stoveiifter upon him. and the ne
gro's pawning of the Roner diamond
ring that led to his arrest.
The prosecutor also said that the ne
gro was there in the act of committing
a felony, and not only had stolen the
diamond ring, but some of the nder-
takers clothing. which were afterward
recovered in New York city.
when this defendant was found in
his room," MI. Young told the jurors,
intent upon robbery, he deprived him
self of any defense, and Mr.. Rofner
might have killed him and be acquitted
of any crime. He must, therefore, ne
convicted of murder in the first de-
gree. if you so find under the evidence"
Edward G.. Kempf, a surveyor, then
described a diagram that hung back OF
the judges bench, which depicted the
scene of the fearful midnight struggle,
showing the room of the hotel, the ar
ticles of furniture in it, the bed, closet
and other furnishings.
After DIR. William A.. Wakeley, who was
the first physician present after the muir
der. had testified that the room did no
look as IL there had been a struggle in II
County Physician Daniel Elliott was
called and described the wounds he had
found on the body.
There was a wound on the forehead
he said. and on the left side of the
head. The nose was broke and there was
a confusion on the left and Besides
/ Indt there was dIulnbT Nblliu oH NV
head. The fracture on one side Of the
skull communicated with the other on the
other side. The skull was shattered"
"What kind of a instrument was
used2" asked Mr. Young.
II thought it was a monkey-wrench,"
answered the county physician.
could 1t have been an instrument like
this? ?" asked Mr.. Young next, producing
the heavy furnace iron shaker In evidence.
". -. - -.,z al,N -o.sNf.~, a1rr~x.
How long could a man live with an
injury like this?"
Not over an houI on the outside was
the answer, and Or. Elliott was excused
without eross-examination.
Mrs, Matte B. Hopper, who had been at
the last party attended by Mr.. Romer,
testified to the diamond ring he wore. but
she was not called upon to Identify it.
She was followed by Miss Jessie L.
Kieh, the daughter of the owner OF the
hotel, who told briefly how she had re-
tired shortly after midnight tina night
and ten minutes after she had gone to bed
heard Romer going into his room and
close the door.
Il went off to Sleep said Miss Kieb,
but was awakened soon afterwatd b. a
jar or some kind OF a noise. A few min
utes after that I heard a groan. I listened
awhile and then I got up and went
ARNaAh III A'HA ~ ste u was SoAic
one. l thought someone had a nightmare.
I saw nothing and went back to seleep."
She was not cross-exsmined. and Alvie
J. Weatherhead. Romer's partner. was
called. and testified to the fact that Romer
had s diamond ring. and was asked to
identify IT,
lis this the rinE?" asked Mr.. Young.
producing the one that was pawned.
1T looks like it," was the answer.
&Csn YOU identify itg'
Not positively" the witness admitted.
stephen y. Miller, owner OF a cigar
store near the hotel IN question. next testi-
ned as 10 when he last saw Romer alive.
and was followed by Francis J. Kieb.
owner OF the Park Hotel.
Asked whether he knew Wilson. he said
that he worked in his hotel and that he
was discharged November y last
Mr., Young asked Why but M. Doug
las objected and Nhe objection was sus-
tanned by the court
Mr.. kieh also identified the inn shaker
in evidence, snd said that he last saw
1t when the mailman in the hotel found
Il AZ O'Clock az nighI.
The finding Of the shaker was told about
by rhccaove Haddon, who works in his
hotel.
Where did vOu ind ne iron bsrs''
asked Mr.. Young.
In tNr Park Hotel he answered.,
within fout or six inches of the Wall.