Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1917-10-29
SNOWDEN TRIAL HALTS
FOR LACK OF JURORS
So Proceedings In Sensational MUIR
der Trial Delayed
SIX OF PANEL SECURED
Accused Negro Appeared Cain When
He Appeared In Court And
Heard Indictment Read


Trial of the case of John Snowden,
.colored, indicted for the murder of
Mrs. Lottie NJ. Brandon, wife of Val
entine n. Brandon, government clerk
formerly employed at the Naval Ex-
pertinent Station here, at her home on
Second street in the west end of the
city some time on August last, got
partly under way in the Anne Arun-
del County Circuit Court here this
afternoon. The case, the most sensa-
tional and horrifying in its tragic cir
cumstances in the criminal annals of
the city and county, is exciting wide
spread interest.
A delay of over two hours was oc-
following the convening of
Court this morning, owing to the ar
rangement for the demonstration in
honor of the 100 colored draftees for
the new National Army. This was
due largely to the fact that States
conduct the prosecution of the case,
is chairman OF the Exemption Board
OF the county, and had planned to
march in the parade. And Judge Rob-
ert Moss, who is sitting in the case,
also decided to go into the line of
march With the preliminary pro-
ceedings incident to the convening of
Court over, Judge Moss made the an
nouncement that a recess would be
taken until 12.40 O'Clock
But, as was anticipated, consider
able delay is being experienced in Sc
lecting jury. Upon the reconvening
of Court this afternoon. the panel of
talismen were called one by one, and
from the "a men in the list, six men,
bers of the jury that will pass upon
the fate of the accused negro, had
been secured. Thereupon the Court
announced an adjournment until $50
O'Clock tomorrow morning. In the
meantime, Sheriff John r. Sullivan
was given directions by the Court to
summon a panel of 20 persons, urg-
ing that the most representative men
of the city and county be secured,
with the hope that the remaining six
Jurors may be chosen. The fact that
only six jurors were secured today
was due to the usual procedure of
challenging the talismen either by the
States Attorney, or former State Sen
ator a. Theodore Brady. of Annapolis,
who is counsel for the accused muir
derer Some of the talismen were dis
qualified by reason of their admission
that they had formed an opinion as to
the innocence or guilt of the accused
man, or that they had conscientious
scruples concerning capital punish
ment The six jurors who have been
chosen are:
Messrs, Frank II. Ridout, farmer
OF the Third District, the first selected
and who. thereby became foreman of
the body; Louis F. McCarter, John E.
Stoll, Robert Owens. Wilbur r. Pether-
bridge and Joseph 0. Fowler.
In addition to Judge Moss, Judge
William H. Forsythe is sitting in the
case. Charles S. Williams, of Wash
ington, appeared in behalf of Snow
den, as special counsel, and he was
duly admitted as a practitioner before
the Court. Mr. Brady, however, is
the chief counsel
The Court House and the streets in
the vicinity were crowded with per-
sons. white and colored, long before
10 o'clock. the hour fixed for the con-
vening of Court on Mondays. The
crowd. as usual in murder cases, was
bent on getting a glimpse of the alleg-
ed murderer. Snowden was conveyed
to the Court House from the county
iail in an automobile He is short of
stature. stockily built, brown skinned,
with heavy, thick lips, and pudgy-
face. When he was led into the Court
room with nippers about his wrists,
he came with steady tread and did
not appear TO vince, in spite OF the
fact that every one who had assem-
bIed in the room, craned their necRs
to get a good look at him; and as the
indictment was read to him by Chief
Deputy Clerk William \. woodward,
he stared firmly at the Court official
In other words he showed no signs OF
emotion or any undue excitement over
the proceedings that will lead to a
decision of his fate.
There were present in the Court
room scores of women, white and col
ored. most of whom are witnesses.
either for the State or defense.
Judge Moss, who will be the presiding
iurist at the trial, is taking every pre-
caution TO guard against any conges-
ton or crowded condition among spec
tators in the Court room. Speaking
from the Bench when the case was
opened. he said that only the wit
nesses and persons for whom there are
sufficient seating accommodations viii
be admitted In other words. TO use
his cwn language. he said the Court
did not care for any ''wall flowers
while the case was in progress. Per-
sons under 21 years OF age will be ex-
cluded entirely Instructions have
been issued to the several Deputy
Sheriffs to carry this edict into effect.
and besides, two or three additional
men were deputized TO hold at bay
the men aud women who crowded the
lobby of the second floor OF the Court
4yo,,sa Finally Ii became necessary