The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-01-26
Defense Loses Two Tits at
Session Opening; Judge
Refuses Change.
YOUTH SITS UNMovED
Mention of Death Penalty
Brings Only Sign of
His Agitation.
BY DAN CAMPBELL
United Press STAFF Correspon dent


COURTROOM, LOS ANGELES,
Jan. 26.-The fight over selection of
jury to hear the trial of William
Edward Hickman for the murder of
Marion Parker began before Judge
j. j. Trabucco in Superior Court
here today.
Jerome Walsh, chief defense at
torney, lost two tilts in preliminary
motions before the questioning of
prospective jurors was started.
Most of those examined at the
start had formed definite opinions
on the case.
The jury's sole duty will be to de-
termine whether Hickman is sane
and can be sent tC the gallows for
the crime.
Judge Refuses Change
II he is found insane, he will be
sent to a hospital for the criminally
insane.
Judge Trabucco overruled an OBJ
lection to his presiding at the trial
on the grounds of prejudice-the
same objection which caused Judge
Carlos Hardy to withdraw yesters
day.
Judge Trabucco also refused to
admit Walsh's objection to the
statement of District Attorney Asa
Keyes that Hickman, by entering a
plea of not guilty on the grounds
OF insanity, had admitted he COM
mitted the crime.
The jury box then was filled with
twelve prospective jurors and op-
posing attorneys began questioning
them. -Four of the twelve first
called to the Jury box were women.
1t was indicated early in the pro-
ceedlngs that the selection of a jury
probably would be long drawn out
task.
Death Penalty" Stirs Youth
The defense fought every step OF
the way to gain advantages for the
youthful criminal.
Hickman sat unmoved during the
initial clash over the jury.
Only when the words death pen
atty were repeated in the argu-
ment did he show interest.
Then he appeared to slouch
deeper in his chair.
Excitement again spread through
the Hall of Justice as Hickman was
led from the Jail to the courtroom.
He appeared more self-possessed
than he did yesterday.
There was a terrific jam in the
corridors just outside the room
where Hickman's fate will be de-
cided, and policemen battled with
the crowd to hold it in check.
One aged man tainted after
stnding in line for hours, in the
hope Of getting one of the few seats
available for the public.
KeyeS Reads Indictment
Asa Keyes, district attorney, read
the indictment against Hickman. II
charged him with abducting Marion
Parker from the school she was at
tending, holding her a prisoner for
two days while demanding ransom
from her father, and then murder
ing her and diSmembering her body.
Hickman listened to the reading
of the indictment with no change
OF expression on his pale face.
A statement from Keyes that
Hickman automatically had admit
ted the crime by entering a plea Of
not guilty on the grounds of insan-
ity brought objection from Walsh
The objection was overruled with
out hesitation.
A.. j. Bell, prospective juror, who
said he seldom read newspaper edi-
torialS, was questioned at great
length by Walsh. Walsh read
long list of questions covering the
grounds of prejudice and his degree
Of interest in the case.
Bell said he had followed the case
only casually in the newspapers. He
had formed no opinion as to Hick-
mans guilt or innocence, he said,
AT no time had he even discussed
the case with anyone but his wife,
Bell said. At the conclusion of the
questioning the juror was chal-
lenged for cause and Judge Ira
bucco overruled the challenge.