Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-07-12
QUESTIONS IN COURT.
A Series That Moved an Observer to
Turn Critic.


A man who spent several days in a
court room listening to the eXamina-
ton of veniremen was struck with the
reflection that some shining legal
minds would not be unduly dimmed
by the infusion Of n few of the princ'-
pies OF logic The time taken up by
attorneys in drawing the conclusion
that a Juror who lives at a given ad-
dress makes his home there and then
referring the conclusion to the juror
for confirmation has not been COM
puted. but any one mathematically
inclined may figure it out by multiply
ing the following examples by any
handy large round number:
What is your occupations?
II am a Switchman.'
"On railroad
The Obvious answer which the Ju-
ror's awe Of his surroundings pre-
vents him from making would be, OF
course, "No. in an ice cream parlor.
Judge" said a juror II would like
to be excused from service. When
summoned I was making arrangements
for nv brother-in-law's funeral.
.'Is YOUR brother-in-law dead?" In
quired the court.
1t developed that he was.
"Now. Mr.. Juror" came another
Question. what is your age?'
"Forty-four."
"Forty-four years old?'
That is exactly what the juror
meant. The lawyer guessed right the
very first time.
Here is another flash that came to
one of the attorneys. Where DO you
live?" he asked.
at 44l6 Blank street"
"You reside there, do you?'
Once in awhile there Is funny an
swer which isn't to be wondered at
considering the power Of suggestion.
"Aro you married."
yes"
Amy family?"
1.-TWO"
But the balance is we'll on the law
vers' side. Witness this: The ques-
TONER had asked if juror was relat-
ed in any way to any of the princi-
pals or witnesses in the case.
Il am brotherin-law of Mr..
Blank, one of the witnesses was the
reply. -,
You married his sister them"
He had.
LET me ask you now, Mr.. Juror,
have you formed any opinion about
the guilt or innocence of this defend
anti"
II have"
us it a fixed opinion or is 1t one
that could be changed by evidence?"
1T could be changed if the evidence
were strong enough"
Then you would not call it def
mite Opinion?"
"No."
1T is n vague opinion, them"
Yes"
Now. Mr.. Juror follow me closely.
If you please. You say your opinion
is a vague one and not definitely fixed.
Now. then. if that is the case and you
went into that jury box and listened
to the evidence adduced from that wit
ness stand and heard the law eXpound-
ed by the judge from that bench.
would it not be possible for you to lay
aside that opinion and concur i'm
verdict warranted by the evidence and
the instructions of the court? 2"
Yes"
The attorney having received the
same answer to his long question as
to his short one, is perfectly satisfied
and throws a trium phant look at his
cOIleaSue, Wnlcn says, / KNEW L cOulu
get it out of him if I kept at him long
enough"
Here is another astonishing deduc-
ton: A juror took the stand dressed
i'm a blue uniform with brass buttons.
Around his belt was strapped a money
changer. The examining attorney
looked at him long and searchingly
and then said in a tone which admit
ted of no trifling:
You are a street car CONDUCTOR"
1t was the same attorney who forced
this confession from another juror:
What Is your occupation"
I'm n bookkeeper for Blank &
Co."
You keep books in the offlce?"
Unmasked. the boOkkeeper broke
down and made a clean breast of it.
Now, Mr.. Juror. he good enough to
state how old you are"
"Fifty-siX years"
How long have you resided in this
state?"
Fifteen years"
Then YOU were not born here?"
The trapped man admitted the truth.
Here is another:
Were you born in Missouri"
mo, sir"
"Oh, l see. Then you moved here
from some other state" And then
I'm come come don't delay the
court" tone of voice." where did YOU
come from"
Chicago"
Chicago, III. ?"-Kansas City Times