Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-23
FORREST At THE BAR
| eonardtown, Md, Excited
Over Sensational Trial.
JURY QUICKLY SELECTED
Must Answer for Brutal Killing Of
Parents.
PRISONER IS VERY NERVOUS
While Counsel Has Not Outlined
Plan, insanity Will Probably
Be the Defense.
JURY QUICKLY SELECTED
PRISONER IS VERY NERVOUS
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star
LEONARDTOWN. Md. September B.
Trembling from head to foot in the
crowded courtroom. Joseph Forrest,
charged with brutality killing his ia
Their. William Plowden Forrest. and his
mother. Lillian M. Forrest, was placed
on trial today before the twelve men
who will decide whether he shall go
forth a free man or shall pay the pen
atty which the state asks.
Never before in the history of the
county courthouse has such a crowd
packed and damned the small space.
The greater portion Of 1.-The spectators
are women, and more than once Chief
Judge Briscoe had to threaten to clear
the room. Less than two hours after
court had convened the ury had been
secured. States Attorney Robert c.
Combs had made his opening argument
and several witnesses were examined.
It was few minutes after 10 o'clock
when Judges Briscoe, Camalier and Van
Claggett entered the courtroom and took
their places. The usual preliminaries be-
ing dispensed with. Judge Briscoe an
nounced:
Bring Joseph Forrest to the bar
Then there came a hushed silence. Men
crowded forward and women fought with
each other for point OF vantage.
Excitement in Courtroom.
Here he comes" 1oated over the room
as the prisoner, walking between Sheriff
Dent and Deputy Sheriff Guy. who has
been his keeper, finally made his way
through the crowd.
Forrest is represented by Attorney
William LOCKER. d. c. Hammett and
Vernon Dorsey, while States Attorney
Robert c. Combs Is prosecuting the case
unaided. Forrest elected to have jury
decide his fate and after the indictment
father was read the work OF impaneling
was begun.
The work of securing the jury started
at 1918 O'Clock am, and was completed
forty-two talesmen were examined. Three
challenged by the state were colored men,
while twenty-seven were challenged by
the defense; The jury ,,, is - made up pas as
feexs Rdsr JOHN w 9onnson george
H. Long. William F. Bennett. J. Benja-
min Hebb, Thomas w. Aud. Edward D.
Norris, John F. Bowles, John j. Dean,
Ignatius c. Mckay and Charles A. Penn
broke.
So much excitement was created by the
crowding that Judge Briscoe threatened
to clear the courtroom of every person,
and had the aisles cleared when States
Attorney Combs arose to deliver his ad-
dress to the jury. The indictment charg-
ing Forrest with the murder of his father
was then read.
Asks First Degree Verdict.
I'VE will show you," said the prosecut-
ing officer. dramatically, as he stood be-
fore the jury. that the prisoner at the
bar killed his father. We will show that
1t was deliberate. and we will also pro-
duce witnesses before you that will show
he gave the name of William Thompson
when first arrested to hide himself, so he
could escape We will also show that
he told others of his crime, that he has
confessed to the killing OF his father. We
ask for verdict of murder in the first
degree"
ney LOCKER of counsel for the defense
arose and announced that they reserved
the right to make their opening address
until later.
DR.. ]. o. King, a relative of the MUIR
dered man, was the first witness called
the FORESTS and the various wounds on
them. He was cross-examined by Mr..
LOCKER in reference to the wounds.
Justice Joseph B. While, who acted as
told of the finding of the bodies. and was
excused without being cross-examined.
John Davis was on the stand when recess
was taken at / o'clock for one hour
The state will probably call about
twenty witnesses. 1t is not known
how many witnesses will testify for the
defense. AS yet the prisoners counsel
have not announced their defense. 1t
Is understood, however, that it will be
insanity.
Prisoner Very Nervous.
Forrest is very nervous, and contin-
ued to tremble throughout the entire
proceedings. Not once did he raise his
eyes. and did not once take any notice
Of the twelve men who are to decide
his fate. Forrest had been given a seat
in the usual dock for prisoners. but the