St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1916-10-28

tilc llRdCluR ZOIl0 OI fFdilces at tlG
country and were being shelled by
started to leave. The court excused
Cormier for cause.
Omer Lafleur did not sufficient
ly understand English and was ex-
cused.
Wesley Budden, Jr., of Palmetto,
was excused for fixed oninion.
Green Elerbee, of Palmetto, did
not suit the defense. and they used
their twelfth and last challenge.
Iheogene Lege. of Palmetto, ap-
oeared to answer requirements, but
the defense attempted a peremp-
Tory challenge. The court ruled
That they were entitled to no more
except for cause. Defens. gave as
excuse that they had been forced
Oy the court to use other chal-
{enges unnecessarily. To save time
and trouble. the state also chal-
fenged Lege. using its fourth per-
emDtory.
There was a tilt between Attor-
ney Rosenthal and Denuty Sheriff
Ghachere regarding the drawiny of
Jurors names from the box. The
court would not have NJ Cha
chere's integrity in the matter I'M
pugned.
Clement Orteg was sick and was
excused. j. ]. Fontenot was ex-
empted by age. W. b. Gay was ex-
cused for fixed opinion.
None of the DrOSnaptiva i,1rors
from Palmetto had qualified, as
Palmetto did not look good to the
defense.
]. G. Gormier, barbc Port
Barre, had formed and expressed
an opinion. but from heresav only.
and could decide on the evid
produced. Attorney Perrin stood
up TO examine him and court
requested him to sit down. Mr..
Perrin asked the court skenogra-
pher to take down his eXamina-
ton. The court ordered the state
examination to be also taken down
and the whole matter shown. Fl
~ the state fenderca Mr.. Cor
1nn1er and the defense ollenged
for cause. The court interroeated
MN anu adiuuged Gormier compe-
tent. Cormier was sworn in the
twelfth and final juror at 1880 D.
m. Judge pavy instructed the iti-
fors as to their conduct re-
sessed court until 8 p. m. The jury
as completed, is selected from all
over the parish, except in the inn
mediate vicinity of the crime. It
made up largely Of farmers and
averages around 80 vaans of age.
On convening court at 5. %. m. the
largest crowd of the trial was pres
ent to hear the beginning of testi-
mony. The defense had poll
taken OF their witnesses and all
were found present except Ella
Fontenot. who is staying in the
parish Jail by preference. District
tnrney Garland read the indict-
ment and MADE his tetement to
the Jury. While contrary to st.
Landry custom, Attorney Perrin
vas also permitted to make a state
ment to the Jury for the defense.
The state called as its first wit
ness Coroner r. Nj. Liftail He testi-
fled to reaching the scense of the
Killing one or two hours after it
occurred. He met on his way the
automobile party bringing Swords
body to Opelousas; made eyamina-
ton and found Swords death due
from one gun shot wound through
the 'aeart. The bullet entered the
lett breast, ranged slightly. IN
ward and emerged about one inch
below the left shoulder blade. The
wound was caused by. a large cali
Der bullet, at least a IL. The coro-
aers brother, DR.. B. A. LittelI.
made examination at Swords home.
The coroner held an inquest but
no autopsy. Dr.. Littell has prac-
hced for tWenty-eight years and
'las been coroner for twelve years.
Gross- examination by defense fail
ed to shake the doctor as to the
callber OF the bullet producing the
wound. He thought Sheriff Swords
might have lived five seconds after
being shot.
The commission of M. Z. Swords
as sheriff was then offered by the
state and the oath of office.
Mrs. Swords, widow of the de-
ceased Sheriff, and her daughters,
Mfs.e Masters and Miss RoseIin
Swords, We're closely Interested
spectators. Hilver Carriere, uncle
Of the accused. and who is sup
posed to have furnished moder-
ate OF money to the defense. was
sitting with the accused and eoun-
sci.
The second state witness was
Sheriff Isaac Fontenot. of Jennings,
jefferson Davis parish. Attorney
Perrin asged that the jury be taken
out before the state interrogation
Of Fontenot began, saying he knew
what Attorney Garland intended
asking and that it would not be
proper testimony.
Attorney Garland stated he does
not consider Mr.. Perrin elairyoy
ant. Cousel clashed sharply. At
torney Garland said leatedly lie
would temporize no longer. The
court overruled defense's objection
% Sheriff Fontenot's testimony.