The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-03-26
CHAPMAN CASE
DRAWING JURY
Selection of Jurors for
Murder Trial Proceed
ing Slowly.
DEFENDANT Is STOICAL

Hartford, Conn. - Gerald Chapman
spectacular bad man, continued his
fight today against farmer-dominat-
ed Jury. to sit in juds or lfila
in the matter of Indictment charging
him with the murder of Patrolman
James Sicily in New Britain last Oc-
tober IL.
Half an hour after court had opened
today the second of the murder trial.
sixth juror had been chosen.
Chapman who had been inspecting
the potential juror from under his
lowered brows, CURLY shook his head
when counsel turned to him. So this
juror was challenged peremptorily
A panel of ninety new talesmen
was called today, the original venire
of $50 being exhausted. Twenty of
today's panel were from Hartford, rep
resenting partial victory for the de-
tense in its fight against a jury DOM
mated by farmers. The six already
selected are a farmer, an insurance
man, q salesman, bookkeeper and a
retired merchant.
Ninety new talesmen were summon
ed to appear in Hartford Superior
court today at the second days trial
Of Gerald Chapman, notorious mall
robber and Jail breaker, who started
Yesterday g fight for his life, charged
with the murder of Patrolman James
]. Sicily, in New Britain last Oct. IL.
Z From these additional talesmen
drawn last night after five jurors had
been obtained out of Sc talesmen ex-
amined are expected to come the sew
en- other jurors needed before the
actual trial of the picturesque bandit
may get started.
Indifference to Proceedings.
Throughout the court proceedings
Yesterday Chapman assumed a pose OF
indifference, slouched down In ms
chair in the midst of his lawyers at
the counsel table. He kept his chin
in his hand for the greater part OF
the day. His head was inclined for
ward and he seldom moved it. But a
close observer could discern the nerv-
Gus. uneasy shifting of the hard blue
ewes that saw everything essential
Keenly he appraised each prospective
iuror as he was called for question
ing and each time decision was to
be reached in the interests OF the de-
fense Frederick j. Groehl, Chapman
chief counsel looked at his prisoner
and received his message, either spok-
en- or glanced, before taking attion.
There are about sixty witnesses
most Of them from out Of town, ready
to take the stand for the prosecution
Groehl asked talesmen if they would
he preiudiced against Chapman if he
did not take the stand in his own de-
tense. Out of court the attorney ex-
plained:
"There are times when a man may
be asked questions which he cannot
with honor answer. Questions con-
corning a woman, for instance"
The answer was connected with ru-
mors that a Providence, r. l., woman
figures in the case. This woman is
supposed to be one who often has been
humorously referred to by the police
and detectives who ran down Chap
man in Muncie, Ind, last January, as
MRS. Beeswax"
"Mrs. Beeswax," said to be the wife
of merchant, was, according to the
rumors, in correspondence with Chap
man during the months he lodged po-
lice throughout the middle west. She
is even referred to as his "bank" who
provided money for him whenever the
exigencies of his fight exhausted his
funds. But this is only one of many
rumors, and many are inclined to con-
slider it just another Chapman myth.