The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-08-30
Doubtful If Three Hundred
Names on Special venire
For Rife Case Will Be Large
Enough Number.
PRISONER APPEARED
WITH HAGGARD LOOK
There Was Not a Member Of
His Family in Court When
He Arrived-Fight Against
Judge Probable.

Eaton, O., Aug. 3O.-The trial of
Harry Rife, the former Boston. Ind,
young man. charged with the murder
lof Mrs.. Lydia Griswold, started this
lmorning in the Preble county circuit
bcourt. Harry Rife is prepared to make
"a great fight for his life and it is not
Iexpected that the testimony in the
kcase will begin until the middle OF
next month. Today was spent In Sc
ilecting a Jury and up till noon but 6
lmen had been chosen.
Harry Rife accompanied by the
kstate's officers appeared in the court
broom this morning. He appeared to
Ibe but a shadow Of his former self.
lIis face is wan, and his eyes sunken,
bshowing to the small crowd in the
kcourt room that he had suffered un-
told remorse since he committed the
rash act.
None of his relatives were present
Ito give him announcement and COM
kfort. His only two friends seemed to
lbe his attorneys. w. b. Marsh OF Eat
kon and Wilfred Jessup Of Richmond.
A Special venire.
A special venire of 800 names has
been prepared 10 secure q jury. Thir-
ty-six names were drawn out last
tweek. IIalf .ol this number were sx-,
lamined this morning. But six OF the
rmen were acceptable to both the state
and defense. It is believed that In
securing the remaining six jurors the
greatest difficulty will be encounter
ed. It is doubtful, according to court
attaches whether six more jurors can
be selected from the remainder OF the
800 names. In event this proves true.
another venire of 800 names will be
selected and the drawing continue un'
It'll a complete jury is selected.
Rife is accorded the privilege OF six
Yteen preemptory challenges. 1t is even
Iprobable that the six jurors selected
today may be dismissed by the exer-
else OF this right on the part OF the
defendant.
Each Juror is asked whether he has
amy objection to capital punishment
Some Of the men have been excused
because of their objection to such pun
|ishment.
Court attaches would not be surpris-
Ied II the defense would move to have
la special Judge hear the case. Judge
ELAN Fisher. who was on the bench
to-day, is q close neighbor or Judge
u. A. Gilmore. father of the late Mrs.
lGriswold, the murders victim. Judge
Fisher was also one Of the first to
mrs. 0riswold's side, when she was
shot and the contention will probably
fbe made by the defense that he Is
Therefore prejudiced against the defen'
bdant.
To Fight Attempt.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Say
ilor and John Kisinger, who was en-
ployed BY Mrs. Griswold's relatives to
assist in the prosecution announced
they will fight any such attempt.
There was but a small crowd In the
court room today. much to the sur
prise Of the court attaches. AS the
trial progresses and the jury is select
ed, It is very probable that the at
tendance will be large. Feeling against
Rife is still strong.
Further than the announcement or
the part OF the defendants attorneys
that he is not guilty. no intimation has
lbeen made by them what will be the
grounds Of their defense. Mt. JessuE
said that this would develop as thE
trial progressed. The states attor
neys are preparing to offset any sur
prisss which the defense may bring uE
in the way of cause for RITES rasi
'act