The chronicle=news., 1915-01-14
LAWYERS SPEED
Up WORK IN
LA VETA CASE

-
Pueblo. Colo, Jan. 1i.-Lawyers
on both sides in the La Neta murder
cases in which eight former strikers
are accused OF Staying a party OF
mine guards and chauffeur on Nov.
II. 1913, are Visiply relaxing in the
battle of examining taiesmcn. Judge
Burke repeatedly warned the lawyers
that they must eNcrcis NpditiUn
toward scuring jury and today both
sides are showing a disposition to
adhere to this advice.
The question whether or not the
attorneys for the defense are un-
necessarily pro.onginG the cNamina-
tion of talesmen in the effort to OBJ
tain jury in the La Neta murder
case is one that has been aroused ever
since the case opened 10 days ago.
The fact that it takes the defense
an average of twice as long to exam
inc Il talesman as it does the prose-
cutiOn is the basis for this much
muted query.
The attorneys tor the defense tx-
plain this by the fact that the trial
represents a much more personal in
terest to the eight men on trial than
it possibly could to the prosecution.
Therefore they are compelled. they
claim. to De much more exhaustive
in conducting the examinations
than the prosecution.
A conference between Judge
Burke and the attorneys was held
yesterday relative to this particular
question. The lawyers for the de-
Tense denied that they are unneces-
sarily prolonging the examination
and claim that they are using all eff
forts possible to expedite their exam
nations. Nevertheless Judge Burke
thinks it necessary to suggest that
talesmen should be challenged for
cause. and eliminated to avoid fur
ther delay.
II is conceded that the longer the
ordeal is continued the greater dis
coura cement OF trying the case "A sec
ond time should the jury fail to re-
turn verdict Considering this
point. it is perhaps natural that the
defense should desire to cast dis
couragement in the way of future
prosecution. However, the prospect
of the long and drawn out effort to
get jury does not appeal to the cas-
ual observer. -4..... .
Jury Commissioner Darlington
drew another hundred names for
service yesterday upon an order
from Judge Burke. Fifty will be
summoned TO appear Friday morn
ing and so Saturday morning. This
makes total OF 400 names that
have been drawn from the jury wheel
for the La Neta case.
Eleven peremptory challenges were
made yesterday. Thus far each side
has used IS of its allotted 1870. Thus
far eight days have been used in eX-
amining talesmen and less than one
third of the total number of peremp-
tory challenges have been utilized. At
THAT rate it will require three weeks
to complete the jury providing the
full right of peremptory challenges is
utilized.
st would take about three weeks
longer at the rate we have been 60
ing" said Attorney Horace \. Haw
liins, leading counsel for the defense,
YESTERDAY But there is no way OF
telling how much less than that will
be necessary We might at any time
consider that we had satisfactory
jury in the box. and waive further
challenges"
In addition to the L men excused
yesterday on peremptory challenges,
nine We're excused for cause" upon
their declarations that they had pre-
Iudices. Judge Burke challenged two
talesmen on the supposition that the
alleged prejudice was merely an ex-
cuse for evading jury service. The
court informed one man that he es-
capped being fined for contempt of
court "by the skin of his teeth" This
'talesman did not fully realize the le-
gal obligation involved i'll jury
summons. He frankly declared that
a bide by the law and evidence in
the case in considering a verdict. He
wasn't certain that he would sit on a
jury whether or no. The attorneys
We're unable to get much satisfac
tion with such an Obstreperous prop
osition and turned the juror over to
the Judge for further questioning.
Once informed that horse play will
no, be permitted in jury box. the
Juror reversed mis- attitude, and de-
clared that he would try to the best
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