The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-07-14
MRS. WAKEFIELD FACES SECOND MURDER TRIAL Eighty four In Special Pan el Called to Form
 Jury JUDGE JOEL REED
 PRESIDING JURIsT Defendant Evidently Tn Good Health As Her Or
 deal Is Begun

New Haven, July 14.-Bessie J.. Wakeefld was placed on trial for second time today under an indict- 1nent for murder in the first degree in causing the death of her huspaad. William O. Wakefield, at Cheshire on June g, 1913, The woman was found guilty of the murder on October 31, and sentenced to be hanged. on March { last but, upon an appeal, the ezecul 'tion was stayed and the supreme court of errors granted a new trial on an error James PleW, who actually shot. stabbed and finally cholked 'Wa1zedeld to death, was convicted of murder irl a separate trial and was sent enced to die upon the same date. He has paid the penalty for the crime.
 Mrs Wakefield and P1ew had been close friends. The state alleged in the first trial Of Mrs Wakefield that the woman was the master mind in the plot which brought about Wakefield's death. She obtained a new trial chief 1y upon the contention that evidence was admitted which had to do with P1ew's acts.
 Judge Joel Reed presides over the second trial A panel of 84 talesmen had been summoned from which it was expected to pick a jury. Court was opened at 9:3Q by-> High Sherim Pa1dlip J. Hugo. Afrs. Wakefield had been brought down from the county
 
 room She appeared in excellent health, was neatly dressed and com poised,
 For the time being spectators were not admitted to the court room, as the large number Of men summoned in for jury duty needed all the seats available. Mrs. Wakefield IS repre- scented by Thomas J. Devfne Of Wa terbury, who has been her counsel since shortly after her arrest. and he isS assisted by e. w. Bauby. The etate's case wall again be presented aDy States Attorney filling and his as- sistant, Walter Pickett
 1nost Of the talesmen were on hand, when the clerk called the roll after the Court was opened. Others arrived later. While expectation was that a jury would be selected during the speculate on the necessity of going out after more talesrnen owing to the wide publiicty given the case by the previous trial
 The examination of talesmen was de- layed lat one time during the morning a conference with Mrs. Wakefield The nature of the conversation was nor revealed but after the noon recess a report was spread that there was a likelihood thai the trial might be short It has previously been denied that 1 mere was a. prODaDlllIy or -hdrS- W ake-ai field being willing to plead to a. charge l of murder in the second degree which | would carry life sentence.
 The state is ready to proceed with | the trial under the indictment.
 When recess was taken two men i aad been accepted.
 When the talesnen's names were called Mrs. Wakefield was given a l seat in the court room. She wore a white waist and black tailored skirt and her hair showed that it had been ara nged with care. There were 72 | taIesmeh in the seats after the list E had been revised, some of those sum moned having been excused. Jacob D. HdIdreth Of this city and Lora F. | Beach of Walhngford. called. were at Jury, as both had opinions.
 As fast as seats were vacated in the | court room they were taken by spec ta.tors who were admitted by the dep- uty at the door A Mrs, Maynard of | who had interested her l self in defense fund for Mrs. Wake | field, was for a time the only woman specta tor in the room.
 Charles F. Bartholomew, of WalHng- ford, aged 65, and Joseph Clark of Ansonia were the two jurors who | were seated. Up till noon the state had excused five talesmen, the defense five and the three.
 Chauncey Tuck CT, of Beacon, Falls. who knew Mrs. Wakeheld. was among those excused.