The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-05
TRIAL OF B. R. 7.
OFFICIALS PUT OFF
Men Accused Of Manslaughtcr
in Wreck Demand Change
of Venue.
FEAR PUBLIC PREJUDICE
Action of Justice jerks Defers
Prosecution for at Least
Two Weeks.
FEAR PUBLIC PREJUDICE

The trial for granddaughter, which was
,o have been begun tomorrow. of the five
Brooklyn Rapid Transit officials and one
enrloyee indicted as a result OF the
Srecking of Brighton Beach train last
November with the loss of nearly a hun
Aired lives, was automatically postponed
sor at least two weeks yesterday, when
District Attorney Lewis received an
order TO show cause why a change in
tie place Of trial should not be granted
70 the defendants.
The latter contend that on account OF
the deep rooted prejudice against the
Brooklyn Rapid Transit system which
exists throughout Kings county 1t will be
impossible to select jury which will try
them fairly. Mr., Lewis will oppose the
application and seek to show that there
IS no reason for the fears OF the defend
ants
The order was signed on Friday after
noon by Justice Almet F. jerks. Presid-
ing Justice OF the Appellate Division, and
Il returnable for argument on January
is before Justice Stephen Callaghan.
Mr.. Lewis said last night:
II will oppose the motion vigorously.
can see no reason why these men
should be tried elsewhere than in this
county, where occurred the accident
which brought about their indictments.
The population of Kings county is about
1000, 900. 1t is nonsense to say that out
Of a population of that size twelve men
cannot be found sufficiently fair minded
90 try these men strictly on the evil
0ence."
Newspaper Accounts Included.
Mr. Lewis would make no comment on
the affidavits and petition on which the
order WIS granted other than to say
that they constituted a document $1,000
words in length and that he would have
IN devote all to-da, 10 a study of II. The
atfidavits are accompanied by thick
scrapbo)k of newspaper clippings. con-
tanning accounts Of the Il. r. T. wreck
and the proceedings leading 20 the in
dictments and editorial comments.
Aftdavts are submitted by Timothy S.
Williams. president of the B. r. T.. John
y Dempsey, vice-president and general
manager; John II. Halleck. president OF
the New York Consolidated Railway,
the b. r. T. subsidiary company which
operates the Brighton line; w. S. Men
den, assistant to Col. Williams Thomas
w Blewitt, traffic superintendent, and
Edward Luciano, motorman OF the
wrecked train. The affidavits of all the
defendants except Col. Williams are sue
c'nct and formal. His Is statement COW
erirg seventy-five pages, and might al
most be entitled the life and adventures
OF the Il. r. ].
He sets forth that for a long period
prior TO the wreck there has been "a
persistent prejudice against the rail-
road system in Brooklyn. and that the
borough now is filled with persons who
look upon him and his codefendants ar
"1urderers." This description he says,
has been used in the course OF meetings
~ the survivors of the wreck and rela.
tives of persons killed In It. Their as
ISOLATION is using every effort to keer
rublic sentiment aroused against US. to
the end that We may be convicted of 9
serious crime
Scatter Blame Broadcast.
He mentions also sermons preached II
Brooklyn churches, in which the occu
pants of various pulpits discussed hin
and his fellow defendants in Dlail