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

Monday morning. the day set for
the trial Of Hilaire Carriere, muc'1
interest was manifesed both in the
trial and the Lady Lawyer who has
the honor of being the finrt woman
lawyer to appear at this bar. At
1890 o'clock Sheriff Fontenot and
deputies entered the court room
with the defendant. The court
room was crowded, but orderly.
The Judge promptly excluded all
persons from inside the railing but
court attaches. members of the bar
and reporters. The list of wit
nesses summoned to testify as to
whether Carriere would have fair
and impartial trial was read. The
defense had summoned over fifty
and the state more than thirty.
Garriere. clean shaven. dressed in
a flanel shirt, blue serge suit with
breast pocket filled with cigars and
pencils. took his seat with his coun-
sci. ID. Rosenthal Of Lake Charles,
Mr.. and Mrs. Perrin of Jena. Prem
tis Obier of Opelou :. and Mr..
Green. The latter was introduced
to the court as Robert w. Green,
an attorney of Beaumont. It is un-
derstood that Mr.. Green was re-
tanned largely because of his abil-
lty to speak and understand French.
the language of lar~n number Of
witnesses. The accused was COM
posed and smiling. Some time was
taken in the argument as to the
service of the defense summons on
witnesses and the deputy sheriff
was sworn md interrigated.
After hearing the testimony of a
large number of witnesses all of
whom testified that they consci-
entiously believed that there was
no danger of violence and that
they thought that Carriere would
have fair and impartial trial. the
attorneys for the defense withdrew
their proceeding for change of
venue and that the trial be pro-
ceeded with at once. Among those
who testified is Sheriff d. Nj. Fon-
tenot who testified that he had
never heard any threat of violence
towards the accused and that his
precautions in guarding the pris-
ener were rather to prevent possi-
BILE escape than from any fear OF
possible harm being perpetrated
against the prisoner. He could not
say what might have happened to
Carrlere if captured Immediately
after the killing of Swords, but was
positive that the people had no
tnought OF violence at the present
time. He was followed by Mr. S.
Evans. police juror. from the the
1lrst ward who resides about six
miles from where Sheriff Swords
was killed, he testified that he be-
lleved that Crarriere could have a
Ialr trial, then came Ludovie Miller
from the western part of the Darish.
2. y. LaWier. real estate man from
pspeiousas, Lawrence Mornhinveg,
#DDookeeper. r. Bodemuller. mechanic
Gafey Gafey Griffith, Opelousas, Albert
Glary, Gy, mechant, Opelousas. Burl
larson, Stokes. E. Gonsoulin, Ope-
iousas. Hyoplite Meche, a farmer
rom Coulee Crouche andE. y.
Li,avrgne all of whom testified that
GGley Gy mad no reason to believe that
leafrlere would not have a fair and
IMPARTIAL trial and did not appre--
mend I1 any violence for the person of
miiilaire Carriere. The testimony of
ulese witnesses was so convincing
tnat the defense at the evening sesa
sion asked the indulgence of the
court TO make statement in which
Eley said that after listening to the
testimony of good citizens from ali
over st. Landry and being conyineed
Dy their straightforward answers
and being convinced there were no
merits in the motion for a change
OF venue and therefore Withdrew Fl
attorney Perrin. senior cousel for
gIne defense who addressed fhe
court thanked the Judge and dis
trlct attorney for their fairness and
stated further that he felt sure his
cllent would receive fair trial at
taelr hands and that of the peopIa
On st. Landry, and finally an
llounced their readiness to proceed
with the trial, and asked that tae
case be set for Tuesday morning If
tiielr witnesses were present.
Attorney Perrin, for the defense.
made objection to proceeding with
tlie trial at this stage. claiming the
Venlre box was not up to the leael
standard and did not contain suf-
llelent names of qualified Jurors.
Inc court explained his reasons for
excusing the eleven and overruled
Inc objection. Mr.. Perrin filed a
Dill of exceptions.