The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1914-02-17
RAPID PROGRESS
MARKED OPENING
Northwood, Inkster and
Grand Forks Men Made
Eligible for Service
NO PLEA ENTERED
BY DEFENDANT
That Feature Had been Taken Cnre
of nj Langdon. Where Altered wife
Murderer Was Originally .Arraisned
Lime Of Questioning.

Jurors accepted in HoIum csae;
J. Il. Spoonheiln. Northwood,
Otto Gothbers, Grand ForkA
Otto kohler. Inkstcr.
Andrew Wall, Loretta.
Tour jurors had been selected for
the trial of Matt Holum of Milton.
charged with the murder Of his wife,
up to 3 o'clock today.
Eacn man before being selected was
given a thorough cross-examination
ny the attorneys for both the state.
ana s1 the defense. Only ono man vas
excused FOR cause during the morn
ing session, however, and neither side
used any OF its pre-emptory chai-
lenges.
The case was opened at 10 o'clock
this morning. Holum was brought in
to the court by Sheriff Joseph Benson.
8 few moments before that hour, ana
given seat at the attorneys table.
He appeared perfectly calm, and lis
tened to the proceedings with inter-
The parents of the accused man
We're not III court as has been expect
ed
Had Already Pleaded.
The court was declared open by
Sherif Benson. and as Holum had en-
tered his plea OF not guilty. when
she case was originally taken up at
l.angdon, the work of selecting the
jury commenced Immediately.
J. b. Spoonheim Of Northwood, a
painter by trade was the first man
called. and after being questioned for
twenty minutes was accepted by both
sides. He will be the foreman of the
jury. =,
Otto Gothbers Of Grand Forks.
Blacksmith and Otto Kohler OF Inks
ster we're also accepted. George Olson
OF Grand Forks was excused for
cause. having already formed
definite opinion in the case.
Andrew Wall of Loretta township
was added to the list Of accepted
Jurors this afternoon, after B. B.
verson OF Lakeville had been elimin-
ated by a peremptory challenge by
the defense.
The questions for the state were
asked by Attorney General Andrew
Miller, who, with the other attorneys
who are aiding in the prosecution
made an impressive array. J. B.
Winenan Of this city is aiding the
state in the selection Of the jury.
E. r. sinkler of Minot. the prison
er's only counsel, also kept up
steady fire of examination.
Plan OF Defense.
AHe llHe VI oeIenSe winch Will 0e
adopted in the case seemed to be
clearly indicated in some Of the oues-
ttons asked by Mr.. Sinkler. Each
prospective juror was questioned az
to his familiarity with horses, wheth-
er he had ever been injured by one,
and whether any Of his immediate
family had ever met death in an ac-
cident.
The jurors were examined by the
state as to their feelings with regard
to capitol punishment. any previous
opinions they might have formed In
regard to the case, etc.
Under the ruling made by judge
kneeshaw the jurors are being ex-
amined one at time, and each must
be accepted or challenged by the op-
posing sides at the time Of his exam
ination.
The state law provides that tho
prosecution may have ten pre-emp-
tory challenges. and the defense
twenty. In the case Of each Juror.
the state must exercise, or decline to
exercise this right before the defense
Is called upon to decide definitely in
the matter. according to Judge Knee
vhaw's ruling.
Twenty OF Panel Excused.
Previous to the opening Of the ex-
animation. Attorney General Miller,
at the request Of Judge Kneeshaw.
briefly informed the prospective jur-
ors present Of the general nature OF
the case which they were to try.
Out of the forty men originally en-
pannelled, twenty had already been
excused when the court convened this
morning. At the present rate, how
ever. it is thought that 1t will bs DOS.
eible to complete the jury without
empanneling any more veniremen.
The court room was packed to ca
pacity.