The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1915-10-23
HARRY LESTER ON
TRIAL IN HANCOCK Co.
FOR KILLING Of BAG
GAGEMAN MARCY
Selection Of Jury Occupies
Nearly all Of Thursday,
First Day-Lester's Attor-
ney Will Strive to Prove
His Defense on Base of
Alibi = District Attorney
Ford Active.

1 !
Ford Active.
| Harry Lester, alleged train bandit
and murderer, was brought to Bay ST.
Louis from Gulfport Monday, and call
ed for trial Thursday at the fall term OF
the Hacock county circuit court, Judge
Neville presiding, on charge of hav-
ing held up Louisville and Nashville
train and killing Peter Marcy, of New
Orleans, the baggage master, on April
/ "a last, will try to win freedom by
establishing an alibi. This was asserted
by w. A.. Dixon, of New Orleans, his
chief counsel.
On the other hand, the prosecu tion
claims to have built up convincing
case against the man on a chain of cir
cumstances without direct evidence on
| the actual shooting.
One hitherto unpublished detail
| aroused the speculation on the outcome
| of the trial Thursday. This was report
that two Gulfport nurses are prepared
to testify that Lester, while in fear OF
death in hospital in Gulfport af-
ter surgical operation following his
arrest, confessed to them the murder OF
| Marcy. The district attorney, how
ever, said he has no such evidence,
but Immediately started tracing the
report.
PRISONERS WIFE PRESENT.
The prisoners wife, a comely young
woman of dark and slender type, neatly
gowned in full black, punctured only
by slashes for white lace sleaves, ap-
peared at the close of the first session.
She talked tensely with lawyers and
and others, but smiled occasionally and
otherwise maintained such general COM
posure as would cause her to pass un-
noticed by the casual onlookers.
Superintendent of Police j.. w. Rey-
nolds, of New Orleans, who is here,
said: "Our case against Lester is alb
solutely conclusive, and don'tsee why
he does not plead guilty and try to
avoid hanging
Attorney Dixon said: "We are at a
disadvantage in having no means of
compelling our witnesses to come here.
Those on whom we rely will come over
Friday as volunteers, unless they dis
appoint us. We confidently expect to
satisfy the jury that Lester was in New
Orleans when Marcy was shot,"
All of the New Orleans police officers
and detectives who had an important
part in arresting Lester are here to
testify. They are Captain Gardy, Cap
tain whetley, Assistant Chief of De-
| tectives Mouney, Dectives Dillman,
Coyle, Glynn, Scheffler, Methe, Clifton
Patrolman Smith and Chief Bertillion
Operator Jno Norris.
Marcy was shot on the train while it
was running between Waveland and
Gentilly, the exact location being un-
fixed. He died few day later in
Touro Infirmary. A few hours before
death, Lester was taken before him,
and Marcy identified him as the rob-
Der and assailant.
Lester was captured in Gentilly by
Detective Dillman. He had jumped
from train to take refuge in the weeds
and shrubbery near the lake shore. In
jumping, he was inte rnally injured, and
the operatian was consequent. Twelve
detectives had been stationed there
waiting for him.
The safe in the baggage car had been
blown open and riflcd of money, and
various articles. In Lester's possession
were found revolver and a kit of
burglars apparatus.
Most of the states witnesses were
reported present when court opened.
| The court suggested that the defense
| have theirs on hand as soon as possible.
Alexander Campbell, of the special jury
venire was fined s25 for failure to
present himself. Francis Casanova, oil
Logtown, the first man called. was
promptly qualified. A. D. Bennett, oi
Napoleon, joined him. Delmas Pater-
son, of Kiln followed, Charles Green,
of Lakeshore was rejected because his
mind was made up concerning Lester
Jerome j. Carver, of Logtown, next
.lqualified. James I. Davis. Gainesville
Twas then accepted. j. L. Henderson
had an opinion, George F. Carver would
mot convict on circumstantial evidence
lJ. II. Keller, Of Nicholson was similarly
lexcused. Roman Nicaise, OF Kiln
lqualified. r. G. Davis, LoWntowI
followed him. Il. D. wood, Of Gaines.
VILE, objected to capital punishment
] Alfred Besancon, Of Bay st. Louis hat
views.
| Joseph A. Seal, Of Logtown, confess
ed Of prejudice. Jordan r. Mitchell, q