New Britain herald., 1928-01-27

their places on the jury without be- ing challenged for cause.
 Hnssm and TtaOcdy
 Questioning of tho tentative ju- TOTS produced both tragic and hu- morous moments. r Frederick Pierce. father of i've children and . grandfather. who re- sides near the spot where the mutt lated body of Marion Parker was tossed back to her father for tl.600 ransom, said he had no right to sit az juror. Pierce was excused for cause when he admitted from the box that he was prejudiced.
 ''I believe this boy was sane, but could not sit in the jury box and be instrumental in sending him to his death." Pierce declared, as he made his way from the crowded courtroom.
 Lester Hummer. a diminutive and fiery member of the panel was con- siderably perturbed when defense Attorney Walsh insisted upon ad- dressing him as MT. Bloomers" and other misnomers and called the youthful attorneys attention to the error.
 Finds Relief
 The courtroom found relief for it's pent up emotions in the state ments of Mrs. Mary Wheeler and Newton c. Miller. Mrs. Wheeler had discussed the affair with her husband but was never guided by his opinion. while Miller. a retired farmer of 70. held . like opinion of his wife's ideas on the subject of Hickman's guilt.
 Most of the jurors were men and women long past the prime of hfe' and for the most part had retired from active participation in business affairs.
 The first days session brought forth numerous over-rulings for the defense by Judge Trabucco.
 Appears Disconsolate
 Hickman was still disconsolate this morning. That same feeling that T will hang" seemed to influence him and he took little interest as he prepared hts toilet for going to court.
 He sat through most of yester- days session glum and staring straight ahead The various ques- tions asked of the jurors seemed to interest him very little.
 His whole attitude was that he wished to get this trial out of the way as quickly as possible.
 Facts Developed
 Among other things the trial de- veloped these facts. according to the answers of the jurors:
 There were certain people In southern California during the time Hickman was at large who read very little of the case.
 There were others who never formed an opinion as to Hickman's guilt or innocence nor his mental condition at the time of the crime.
 There are people who never read newspaper editorials and husbands and wives who think little of the others opinions.
 In some families. 1t appeared from the statement of prospective jurors. there was very little discus. sion Of California's most atrocious murder.
 These facts were disclosed by Walsh as he read from | long list of questions that encompassed the following: -a.
 1-Have you formed or express ed an opinion as to what should be done to Hickman?
 s-Have you formed an opinion as to whether he is sane or insane?
 3-Have you read about the case in the newspapers and did what you read influence you to reach 8 conclusion about the case?
 4-Do you think Hickman should be hanged. regardless of whether he is insane or of sound mental state?,
 5-Do you think he Is pleading in- sanity as smoke screen," to save himself from the gallows?
 6-Were you in the defendants place, would you be willing to be tried by juror in the same frame of mind as you are in now?
 IN ONE CASKET
 Gettysburg. Pa, Jan. 27 (UP)-