The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-04-02
HISTORY OF Crime
IS AGAIN RET0LD
Intense Interest is Being Manifested
Emit venire May Be Examined Be-
fore Jury is secured.-Wife Of De.
fendant is Loyal.
JACKSON, Miss, April 2.-Tlb task

JACKSON, Miss, April 2.-Tlb task
of securing a jury from special We
nire of 200 citizens for the trial OF
William Sorsby, slayer of Postofffco
Inspector Fitzgerald, was commenced
in the Kinds county circuit court this
morning.
Judge w. H. Potter convened the
tribunal promptly at 8 o'clock, and
shortly thereafter the tedious task of
questioning the special veniremen was
commenced.
The progress made up to this hour
amply justifies the predictions made
several days ago that it may lake
fully week to secure jury satisfac-
tory to the state and defense.
The courtroom was filled to over
flowing at the opening hour. Many
spectators arrived nearly an hour be-
fore the session convened, and there
was a scramble for the best seats,
despite the general knowledge that
the actual hearing of evidence viii
not be under way until some time next
week.
Sorsby entered the courtroom un-
der escort of two deputies, and ac-
companied by his attractive young
wife, mother, mother-in-law and other
relatives. His manner was COOL calm
and lf-possessed and if he felt any
nervousness at the beginning of the
most eventful incident in his lfe's
history it was not manifested by his
outward demeanor.
Sorsbys wife remained constantly
at his side during the forenoon ses-
4 sion. as did also the elder Mrs. Sors
n nv. his mother and Mrs. Cabniss, hi
! mother-in-law. Both of the older wom
ad were clead in the deepest black.
A good portion of the seating ca
nacitv of the over floor of the court
room was occupied by witnesses am
citizens of Clinton, the little town il
which the killing occurred. The early
morning traiI over the A. &c V. roa'
brought to jackson what seemed tt
ba almost a majority of the citizens
of Clinton. many of whom have beei
,,,r,noned to give testimony, elthe
as to the main facts Of the Tragedy
~ in suDport of the insanity plea t
hs offered by the defense.
ub;Ia the witnesses will not b
-,o,led for several days, both stat
-7 dafauso requested all parties wh
had boen summoned to report at tn
, onsning of court this morning. A te'
fai1od +o answer their names, but IN
a.+orneys doubtless know Where
f,,5 thom when needed, and thos
.,.to we're on hand are expected to r'
.,o,t from day to day until needed
No changes in the plan OF pattl
,oo,, manifested. The state wi
,ortant itself with setting forth y
a,,s deIecti. the main facts Of
traaedy. and then rest its case n
rriob the prosecution will endef
substantiate the insanity PIE
s. rhon the prosecution will introdu'
a,n,her of witnesses in rebuttal
,,nat tbe theory that Sorsby wi
mentally unbalanced at the time
eired ,be fatal shot.
courtroom spectators are firm
no balief that it is going to ia
y e,u,. rs long, and probably longer
..t = iury, as it will to hear the e
,s.oo and the oral arguments, a
tbis opinion is strengthened by
s,owness of the nsrocedure this mo-
igg. evident ear,v in t
= eession that many of the venirem
who would ordinarily be regarded
fair and impartial jurors were W
much averse to otserving in the ca
ord excused themselves on the grou
that they had formed very strc
opinions that coFld not be remo'
by the weight ~ evidence. 9th
we're excused fer various and SUM
reasons. and up to this hour Ju'