The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1917-11-26
TRIAL Of MEANS
ISPOSTPONEDFOR
FULL Jury PANEL
1dleSmcn, Summoned From
All over County, Caused
Delay In Opening Of Case.

''o~-' ~" 49, 49, ~, ws.yS;-T"-A-"' . TA'
COHCORD. ~ g.. Nov. is,-Tho
trial Of dAston ~ Means. charged
with ho murder n Mrs Maudo 4
KlnR, 'bo wealthy Sow York woman,
on AuE ~ lost was to have begun 10.
day but owing TO delay in the -.
sDonse Of special voniro " $50 men.
q number agreed upon by both state
ana defense. the opening was post.
ponod 81 noon until $50 A. N. to-
morrow Tho jury panel has been
called from all oyor tho county, which
necos5itated the delay.
OaHton Means. tho defendant, was
In court seated with his counsel. He
was In tho best OF moods. A broad
smilo which was directed toward eve
ryOno alike, expanded his face. Ills
attention was directed espccially 10
/ the proSs table and ne discussed Its
different occupants In whispers with
his counsel.
Tho prosecution In being directed
by State Solicitor Hayden Clement.
assisted by l.. G. Caldwell. II. o. Ever
Oft and Jake T. Novel;. It's chief
wltnosses comprise John T. Doollng
Assistant District Attorney OF Now
York, and Federal Agent (. H..
Ambrose.
The defense IL being represented
by an array OF counsel which incl udcs
all tho prominent lawyers OF the town
and county.
The courtroom was flled TO ca
pacity. but because OF tho routine
work Of the opening there was no
overcrowding.
Mrs. Castor Means and Means's
father and two OF his brothers were
In court. Upon tho arrival of tho
prisoner his wife went forward and
took a scat at the counsel table be-
side him. Sho was dressed In dark
blue serge suit with Il small dark hat
and furs.
Both sides nro eager and confident,
and Il is predicted the trial will bd
the bittorest In tho history OF North
Carolina. ono question that no ono
seems able 10 answer Is OH which side
Mrs. Mary Melvin. tho dead woman's
sister, will be found. No ono appears
TO know whether she will testify for
the state or for Means. Sho has
stuck by Means since tho alleged
murder. and has boen staying at the
home OF Means's parents here. II 10
reported tho State has summoned her
as a witness,
The State will Beok 90 prove that
Mrs. King was murdered TO cover up
tho looting OF her estate.
The defense will try TO prove that
Mrs. King accidentally killed herself
or committed suicide, and that Means
told the story he did from chivalrlo
reasons 20 protect an unfortunate
woman's memory.
II tho suicide theory Is advanced,
as many believe Il will be, II Is ex-
pccted Il will be accompanied by the
assertion that Mrs. King was not
sane. This will offer an opportunity
to explain the mysterious Chesapeake
Day letters In which Means is alleged
, to have deceived Mrs. King. They de-
scribe fantastic adventures Means is
supposed to have had somewhere on
Chesa peake Bay" Means viii go on
the stand In his own behalf.
There arc rumors OF new and val
, liable" witnesses for the defense, but
8 nothing is authoritativoly given out
; Among the principal witnesses for the
state viii be Dr. Edward Burmeister
, assistant coroner's Physician OF CHI
. cago: DR.. Otto Schultz, medical assist
I ant to the Now York District Attor.
( ney; Capt, Henry Jones. pistol expert
e OF the New York Police Department
o and several members Of District At
torney swann's staff.