The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-24
BEGIN THE WORK OF
 SELECTING JURORS Sensational Louisiana Mur-
 der Trial Opens TWO ARE ACCEPTED
Mrs. Mckee Will Plead Unwritten Law-Venireme Are Manifest ing Reluctance to Serve.
 Trial Will Last Week

Opelousas, La, October 23.-When court adjourned today, two jurors out of a panel of 30 veniremen had been selected in the trial of Mrs. z. Runge Mckee on a charge of murdering Allan Garland on the morning of September 21 in her room in the Mckee home. Only 15 of the men summoned responded to the service. The sheriff was ordered to have another venire in court tomorrow morning at Q o'clock
 Mrs. Mckee appeared calm in court but was more perturbed when she heard the charge. All nervousness disappeared as the trial proceeded as one venireman after another was excused. Her httle girl, aged years, wearing off the monot- ony, finally went to sleep in the arms or her father She slept with her head on his shoulder. She was too young to un- Gerstand the charge
 Mrs. McRees aged mother, living Tn Mississippi, and her sister, Mrs Lewls or Fort Worth, Tex, and her two sons, Vis- tied the accused after court had ad- lourned for the session.
 Before going back to jail. Mrs Me Rec, her husband and child stood "file their photographs were taken The accused was not under guard when she later walked out to the balcony lead ing to the rear stairway, where she heiu short and affectionate consultation "ltA relatives She is fairly stout woman of apparently 35 years. She has deep piue eyes and firm mouth, indicative or char acter Her well formed chin ana Jaw show her to be a woman of deternhhd ton Mrs. McRee is matronly In general appearance, and there is nothing lo HUT cate vicious tendencies.
 During the time she sat in the court room members of the Order of the Eastern Star, said to be rendering her assistance sat near the prisoner and listened 10 the proceedings of the court with interest,"
 II is believed by the court officials now that the trial will last throughout the week Citizens summoned for duty on tiie iurv show no disposition or desre to serve. many of the veniremen havlEg at tempted to escape subpoenas py sNlns more or less uhtehapie eAcuseo W uilNIittcn jaw.
 The defense aired the tirst of It's per enptorv challenges on Talesman ibro- ner when it exercised that prefoSati'e' Gardner said he would not convict woman He said. however he could sNe her a fair trial, but that he did not care to serve on the jury He was chaileh5eu hv the defense The next two veniremen were accepted. much to the surprise Of the court and spectators. Walter Guid- rev and Nathaniel Guillory said they lad not formed any decided opinion in the case and would abide by the eVi- dence.
 Guidrey said he had discussed the case with brother of the deceased, put ne added, "the conversation dld not partlSu- larly impress me-
 "You wouldn't let anything, even the prestige of the family of the deceased, nor the fact that the defendants family are but little known, have any effect on your verdict" asked Attorney Henrlques for the defense.
 "No, sir replied Guidrey.
 William Brinkhaus. J. Q. Baillie and A. T. Burlegh, Sr., were next examined The two first named were excused be- cause of their opposition to capital pun lshment.
 Mir Burleigh was finally challenged by the defense because his answers indi- cated that he had formed a firm con vction that the defendant was guilty.
 F. l.. Barry said he had been appro acn- ed by one of the witnesses and the court excused him.
 J. N. Andrepont said he had q fixed opinion and was excused.
 C. D. Ortega said he was opposed to capital punishment "in a case of this na- ture.'
 The court told him to stand aside. A. NJ. Young and J. D. Burleigh. the last remaining members of the panel, were then called. The former had a fixed opinion and said he doubted whether it could be affected by evidence. MT. Bur leigh had scruples against accepting cir cumstantial evidence. Both were chal- lenged for cause and excused.
 Adjournment was taken until o'clock tomorrow morning.
 Tonight the two jurors were told by Judge Peavy:
 'It is your duty under oath if any one approaches you to tell this court"
 The sheriff was instructed to have @ new panel of veniremen in court at re- converting of court.