The Washington times., 1909-09-23
Court Room Crowded When
Boy Faces Court at
Leonardtown.
CASE MAY BE PUT
TO JURY SATURDAY
Defendants Attorneys Say He Ad-
mits Hiding Mothers Body
After She Died.

LEONARDTOWN,M Nd. Sept 9Th,
biggest crowd that ever attended a mur
der trial here filled the court room 10
day. when Joseph NJ. Forrest was placed
on trial for the alleged murder Of his
father and mother, William ". For
rest and Lillian M. Forrest, at their
home. near Oakville, Nd, last May.
The crowd began arriving at Leonard
town at daybreak, and by the time the
trial started every available bit OF stand
ing room was occupied, and hundreds
OF persons were turned away from the
courthouse. Many stood on the plat
form back OF the judges chair. while
others hung onto the narrow balcony
around the courthouse and looked
through the windows.
Entire Countryside Aroused.
This is the first murder trial in St.
Mary county in many years, and be-
cause Of the atrociousness Of the crime
OF which young Forrest is accused. the
entire countryside has been aroused.
Forrest, nervous and shaking, and
plainly showing the effects Of his long
confinement in the jail here, was
brought into court by Sheriff Harris
A Cent and Deputy Sheriff Daniel Guy
FORESTS counsel. William r. Loker
OF Leonardtown, and d. c. Hammett.
and Bernard n Dorsey, of Washington.
announced this morning that the de-
tense would be temporary insanity. II
is their contention that the boy is the
victim of paranois, and this belief is
shared BY majority OF the residents OF
the county.
Forrest. his attorneys say, admits and
recollects the killing Of his mother and
M her
back 70 the place where her boo was
later discovered. The shooting. how
ever is alleged 70 have been accidental
and preyed on the young mans mind.
tde SAYS ne has no recollection Of killing
his father.
jury Quickly Impaneled.
The jury was collected in little less
than an hour this morning and there is
every indication that the case will be
IN the hands Of the jury by Saturday
morning. The jury is composed Of the
following:
William NJ Ford.
Augustus Rider
John Johnson.
George H. Long.
William p Bennett
j. Benjamin Hebb
thomas ". Aud.
Edward 3. Lorris.
John r. Bowles-
John J. Dean.
lgnatius Mckay
Charles a. HembrOok
Forrest pleaded not guilty TO the in
olctment charging him with the murder
OF ms lather and his mother, when ar
Idleheo yesterday. He was placed on
trial today for the murder of his fafber
IN MS opening address TO the flrv
this morning States Attornc,- Coy,,be
pictured the finding OF tie 6odieg 10
Mrs Forrest and her husband ana nc
supposition al first that Josepb Frorroat
was the third victim Of what was tbe,t
believed 10 be triple tragedy. ne tLs,
told that his failure 70 fn5 Z-orIDr T-rT-
rest, elther alive or dead. Resulted a.,
the hnger Of suspicion being pointed 81
MN, ana now, Few days later Forrest
I,,;,.s NsS arrested IN another part Of the
Promises To Bring Witnesses
He said that he would prod,,ca o
witness 20 whom Forrest Is alleged to
have confessed that tne Elflfnr OF hts
mother was not an accident. and tbar
after shooting her he went to bis
fathers room and killed him with an
ak.
The possibility that Forrest will be
found insane al the time he committed
the murder win probably result I'm a
legal problem as 10 where he shall
be committed. AT present there Is M /
institution IN Maryland exclusively for /
the criminally insane. and a crimfnaily (
insane person can not be held az the
other institutions II any Of the patients
protest