The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-28
SMITH TRIAL SE'
WILL BEGIN IN COLUMBUS, MISS,
 WEDNESDAY.
Lawxers Agree Thst Time Is Needed Fer Slayer sf Laurent to Ques-
 tien Witnesses of the Trngedy.

Newspaper men are ardentiy wishing for some power which would enable them to look into the minds of counsel employed in the Smith-Laurent case, and ascertain what Is going on there In.
 smith, who shot and Killed Laurent. had his second arraignment before Judge Buckley this afternoon, the pur- pose of which was to hear any motion which counsel on either side might have to make regarding the trial.
 J There was q rumor on the streets that the defense would enter motion for a change of venue, setting up as reason therefor. that public sentiment was so strong against the defendant that it would be impossible for him to secure fair and impartial trial here.
 The time for the second arraign- meht was set for 2 o'clock. and. anti cipating motion for change of venue, large number of people assembled at the court house. The lawyers disap- pointed them, for instead Of entering motion for change of venue or a con- tinuance. they agreed to try the case here and at the present term of court. next Wednesday morning being hxed as the day for the trial to begin.
 Judge Buckley took his seat on the bench. and announced to attorneys Tn railroad case that was In pro.
  recessed for dinner that further proceedings In the case would be sus- pended until Smith had been arraigned and motions in this case disposed of-
 i Mir, Wifherspoon, for the defendant, stated that the case was one of such magnitude that the defense had been unable to make the preparations nec- essary to go into court trial, ana that several days would be required k.~ la4a Al, gested, therefore, that next Monday be fixed as the day for drawing the special venire from which the jury IS to be selected and that the trial of the case be fixed for Wednesday. Tn urging his motion, Mir. Wither- spoon directed the. attention of the court to the fact that the killing had occurred at a railway station crowded with travellers. and that the witnesses had scattered to various parts of the country. He said that 1t would be nec- essary to travel hundreds of miles in order to consult with some of the wit resses, and the defense was placed in the peculiar position of not knowing the nature of the testimony of the wit nesses until they had been seen ana catechised. :. Mr. witherspoon;s argument was fol- lowed by a consolidation which was par ticipated in by all the attorneys on both sides of the case and at it's conclusion Mr. Currie stated to the court that the State had decided to ofrer no opposi- ton to. motion for the defense. He said that Mfr. Witherspoon had as- Sured him that 1t was not the inten- ton of counsel for the defense to use dilatory methods In order to delay the case until too late to enter into trial during the present term and thereby secure a continuance, but they were willing and anxious to try the case as soon as the necessary preparations could be made. and would exert every effort to complete the preparations by next W Wednesday,.
 Mir Currie said that he realized the maxnitude of the work entailed in the preparations of the testimony for such an important case and. consider ing the fact that he had been assured that unless unforeseen contingencies arise, the defense would be ready to go to trial next Wednesday. he and his associates had agreed to consent to the postponement.
 The present term of court Is linn ited to two weeks. and as the term began last Monday it will expire by limitation four days from the date set for the trial to begin. It is hardly likely that the case can be concluded within this short space of time, but the law provides that should case be Tn process of trial when the time for the close of the term arrives, court shall remain in session until the trial of the case has been concluded
 It Is certain. therefore, that If the case goes to trial Wednesday 1t will be concluded before court adjourns.
 The case has attracted such atten- ton that the selection of jury will be ad flcult task, and may consume several days. ,,
 The length of time consumed in the testimony depends largely upon Miss Smith. If the young woman goes on the stand and admits the accusation made against her and Laurent is true, her testimony way end the case. The course being pursued by the defense, however, does not seem to indicate that Miss Smith will verify her fathers story.
 Rrom statements- made by parties close to the defendant. 1t apepars that extranous forces will be brought to bear by the defense in its effort to prove the alleged seduction, and that several witnesses will testify as to clandestine meetings between the dead man and the young woman.
 The case grows in interest each day and new complications are continually arising.
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