The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-12-24
ATTORNEYS PICK THE men WHO WILL
DECIDE Fate OF MRS. GRACE LEDBETER
CHARGED With NUMBERING her HUSBAND

the charge of numbering her HUSBAND
is progressing slowly. The special ven
ire of fifty talesmen was nearly ex
hausted yesterday afternoon, only sever
names being left in the box when tn,
evening recess was taken. Judge Pfal
ordered another special venire for fifty
names, returnable forthwith, which
means as soon as possible. 1t wa
thought that owing to the storm anC
condition of the roads this would no
be possible before tomorrow morning.
The selection of four jurymen yes
terday was considered fair progress
but at the same rate it would tax,
about $50 talesmen to complete tht
panel. The state, up to last evening
had exhausted six of it's ten peremp
tory challenges and the defense only
one of its twenty.
That the state intends to put Franz
Smith upon the witness stand during
the trial of Mrs. Ledbeter there seem:
little doubt. 1t would not be com
petent to prove his statements in an,
other way. With him and Mrs. Led
better both taking the stand, the tria
promises to have dramatic features i,
plenty.
Mrs. Ledbeter sits quietly listening
to the examination of the jurors, anC
sometimes appears moved by the fac
of so many men having fixed opin
ions. When the prospective jurors arr
asked whether they have any conscien
tious scruples against hanging, sh'
sometimes twitches about in her chair
and shows that she realizes all of tn,
possibilities that lie in the case, al
though few believe that if convicted
of capital offense she would suffe
that punishment. However, she is hope
full of being cleared OF the charg,
against her.
Examination of Talesmen
The examination of talesmen pro
ceeded steadily all yesterday afternoon
Dominick Oster was called and wa
found to be related to County Attor
ney Plymat's wife, being SECOND
cousin, and the court sustained chal
lenge by the defense for implied bias
c. II. Saulpaugh was challenged b.
the defense for actual bias, and tn,
state admitted it.
Frank p. Fairchild of this city wa!
challenged by the defense for actua
bias. He reads The Free Press ant
other papers. He said that he had al
opinion, but would lay it aside ant
try the case on the evidence, but later
said that the opinion would remain
until evidence removed it. The trier
found the challenge true.
Defense Uses First Challenge.
w. w. Paddock was challenged b,
the defense for actual bias. He was
Free Press reader He had formed
an opinion in the case.
is that opinion one that you coul(
lay aside?" Mr.. Paddock was asked.
Evidence produced might change my
opinion, and might change ovel
again"
The juror said that he would tr,
the case on the evidence, if sworn as
juror. The triers found the challeng,
not true, and the defense challenged
peremptorily.
Charles Olson of this city was ex'
cused for actual bias, after being chal
lenged by the defense.
James Enfield was excused by thu
triers because of strong opinion thai
he held, the defense having challenged
r. w. Foster was asked by the de-
Tense whether he knew of any reason
why he could not try the case fairly.
"Only, that 1 have an opinion" re
piled the juror.
1t developed that this opinion was
fixed one, and the state, after cues
tioning, was obliged to admit chal
lenge by the defense for actual LAS
Lawrence L. Mayer was challenged
by the defense for actual bias, anC
ne has lived in Mankato thirty-si,
years, and takes The Daily Free Press
NJ. F. Sullivan, manager of the Sing
Ell Sewing Machine company, local
agency, was not challenged by the de
Tense. The state brought out the fact
that his conscientious scruples against
capital punishment would prevent his
voting for conviction in any case where
the penalty was death. The court sus
tanned challenge by the state for
implied bias.
j. G. Gerlich of Mankato township
had strong opinion, and one that
would not be removed by circumstan-
tial evidence. He thought that he
could try the case fairly. The triers
found a challenge by the defense fol
actual bias true. Mr. Gerlich takes The
Daily Free Press.
Influenced By What He Saw.
Joseph Hottinger, the barber, takes
The Daily Free Press. When challenged
by the defense for actual bias, he
said that he had formed strong opin
ion:
rs it one that you could lay aside
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