New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-09

Eight Jurors were chosen yesterday be
tore ludee Foster in General Sessions to
try the Rev. Hans Schmidt VINO y
charged with the murder OF Anna Az
muller. parts OF whose dsmcmbered BODY
were found in the Hudson RIVER last
September. It was evident from 'he
questions put by Schmidt's counsel that
the only defence will be insanity.
Because OF his refusal 10 submit 10
manacles Schmidt has not been shaved
or had his hair cut since his confinement
I'm the Tombs: hence he presented any
thing but priestly appearance in court
His male face was framed In a shaggy
brown beard. over which hung wisps OF
his long brown hair He wore Il black
suit and had handkerchief knotfed
about his neck \ derby hat ana Iu'
coat bor. evidence Of some hazy notion
that ne might be discharged AZ any mo-
ment
Tn. prisoner seemed 10 take no interest
in ,h. preIlminaries OF his trial. HIS
glance roved about the crowded court
room. but its direction bore no relation 10
any Of the circumstances surrounding the
selection OF the jurors before whom he
was to be- tried for his life
When the time came for him To tise az
the oath was administered 10 juror the
attendant who sat just behind the prs
ouer had 10 pluck him by the arm
Schmidt gaz.d vaCaHtly At each juror as
he took the oath. The attendant sat be-
81 Iaaf1e him ORDER
10 be IN better position 10 Illustrate am
possible violence on the part OF the
prisoner
Except for the attendant Schmidt sat
alone. " NJ Is Olcott Terence !. NC
Manus and Alphonse g. hoelble. MS
counsel sat at table several feet away.
Not once was Schmidt consulted az TO
me selection Of a Juror He refused 10
talk 10 any Of his counsel. although Hu'-
ing his confinement IN the Tombs ~
talked readily enough with Mr.. hoeloIc.
Bv agreement between James \. Del Pc
hanty. Morris Koenig and Deacon NUT
phv. Assistant District Attorneys ana
counsel ror Schmidt the examination OF
talesmcn was reduced 10 a minimum. rs
was good reason to believe the talesinah
had fxed opinion ~ 10 Schmiots suH'
he was excused by consent George pa !
NcCutcheon was one OF those 20 excused
There was a special panel OF 20 tales
men. Only about half a dozen o: the ht''
seven examined said that they could enter
tho cas-. without an opinion formed by
reading the newspapers and discussing
the cage with their friends. Some 81 them
thought that they could lay ASIDE the"
opinions when they entered tho jury DON
and others said that IT would require TO
evidence 10 change their opinion. \ dozen
or more were excused ny consent because
they lived I'm The Bronx. There was some
question Of their eligibility as residents oil
New York County.
Once the question OF bias had been set
fled few questions were put by either
eide Mr.. Olcott's chief anxiety seemed 10
be TO determine how defence OF lnsahity
would be received by the juror. lie also
Immersed upon the juror that II the de-
PENDANT were insane under the law he
could no, be shot like a mad dog.
schmidt sat silent and unresponsive whiIe
bis couns.l characterized his acts as
..hru,al" "monstrous "and "inhuman.
The religious element in the case was
touched upon by Mr.. Delehanty. is there
ANYTHING i'm the fact that this man Is a
minister Of religion he asked. charged
with murder. that would interfere with
your verdict"
The defence used eleven peremp'orE
CHALLENGES and the prosecution four.