New Britain herald., 1929-11-18
PRO7RACTED TRIAL
 IN M'MANUS CASE
Continued From First Pagc)

ney. did not indicate what his line of testimony and rebuttal would be. contenting himself with the usual questions as to prejudices, if any, against gamblers. in which category both McManus and Rothstein ar" listed and relationship if any with the police or members of the dis trict attorneys office.
 Flo did. however, chalengc seV- eral talesmen who admitted they had read newspaper stories touch ing on the trial at length.
 Asked Change of Venue
 Mir. Murray had sought unsuc- cessfully for change of venue sev- cral weeks ago on the ground that prejudice, inspired by newspaper accounts, was too strong against his client in New York county.
 In the dingy, high ceiinged old room where the criminal division of the supreme court custoIlarly sits, 6, court official shortly after 10 a. m.. began calling the names of the l50 "bluc ribbon" talesmen, from whom the jury will be selected,
 All spectators were barred from the court room today, only the tales men and the newspaper reporters. numbering 30 odd, being allowed through the police lines. stretched Gt several places through the corridor of the old building.
 Some Vacancies seen There seemed to be many vacan- I,;- i,, Is. 1f |, ,,1 there was last Tuesday when the case first was called to trial, but postponed because of the absence of Alvin C. Thomas, better known as "Titanic' Thompson, ill in Mil wauliee hospital with pleursy.
 Thomas, who the state characterjz- os as one of their important wit nesses has since recovered and is cX- pected to be present to testify when called probably late this week or next.
 McManus. smiling, arrived shortly before 10:SO q. n.. with his counsel Mr. Murray. He was dressed in a brown suit, grey hat and dark blue overcoat.
 They were followed by Ferdinand Pccora, George x. Brothers and James Mcdonald. assistant district attorneys who will prosecute.
 Jury selection Begun
 Judge Charles C.. Mott, Jr entered the court room shortly after l0:30 and the selection of the jury was begun.
 Gilbert P. Taylor, who was sworn last Tuesday before the trial was adjourned. was the first talesman called for examination.
 Before the examinations began, however. Judge Nott reminded the jurors of their statements when they were place on the special panel that they had said:
 That they were not opposed to capital punishment.
 That they would convict on cir Cumstantial evidence if they felt such evidence clearly indicated guilt.
 3-That they would leave behind on entering the jury box any opin- ions they might have formed on the case.
 When none responded 10 his question as to whether they had changed their minds since they were sworn, Judge Mott ordered the trial 10 proceed.
 Mr. Brothers read to the talcsmcn the list of state witnesses. some 30 odd. parts Of which read like a Who's Who from the Country's gambling ranks. There were Mig ger Nate" Raymond. James Meehan, Alvin C. Thomas, Meyer and Sam Boston and Mrs. Marion A. Putnam of Ashevlle, N. C., hcralded as the surprise" witness, who was a guest in the Park Central hotel the night Rothstein is alleged to have been shot there
 On request Of defense counsel Mir. Brothers identified those of his list of witnesses who had not appeared before the grand jury.
 Mir. Taylor, the first talcsman quickly eliminated himself as a pos , siblc juror when he said he was against capital punishment in re- sponse 10 q question of Mir. Broth CTS.
 Lewis C. Paine, ncwspaperman, was the next talesman called. He denied that he had any frs' hand information of the killing had formed an opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the defendant or had any prejudice against the police department. He also said he had no prejudiccs against gamblers [ Mr. Murray had hardly started his questioning when, as Mir. Paine said he had read the papers al length on the case, the state chal- ! lcngcd and he was excused.
 Manufacturer Excused
 Harry l.. Zuhcr, a manufacturer was next called, but was excused when he presented a letter from 3 doctor saying he was in poor health Fillmore w. Lewis, an exporter 5 was challenged both by defense and state when he said he did not be- lieve he could lay aside his preju- 1 dices or opinions. The states chal- l lenge was overruled by Judge Not : but when Lewis persisted in his po- sition the judge allowed the defen- dant 10 challenge and ordered Lewis name stricken from the special panel roll.
 90 Witnesses Called New York, Nov. s (P) - Some 5C l,l tal, t<