The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-01-13

LIldI JLlG kluIIlDEI OI C1ldllCIISCS IlOW available to both sides has been reduced greatly. When the eighth week of the trial opens Tuesday, the state will have fl and the de- fense only 27 peremptory challenges available. This factor will have much to do with the rapid selection of juror number IA, and the sub- sequent introduction of the first witness by Special Prosecutor Hugh M. Alcorn.
 When court resumed yesterday af- ternoon after luncheon recess, there were hopes that the one remaining alternate necessary might be chosen from the IS veniremen left in the sixth panel. And several times dur ing the afternoon it appeared that the last juror would be chosen, only to have challenge entered by one side or the other.
 The last venireman called was Morris Feinmark, of new Haven, who was challenged by the state without any questions being asked him. He was the 494th venireman called to the witness stand since the start of the trial, Nov. 29.
 The state used g challenges dur ing yesterdays court session, while the defense exercised 15. Judge h. glis excused four veniremen.
 AS the trial ended its seventh week, the defense had used 194 of its 220 challenges, while the state, with the same total available, had used TIT. The court has excused 110 prospective members of the jury.
 William R. Curtiss, Oxford farmer, said he had served as first and sec- ond selectman and is now agent for the town deposit fund. He said he had read about the case but had formed no fixed opinion as to the innocence or guilt of the accused. Questioned by Attorney John H. Cassidy, he denied ever being inter- ested in Woodbury estate, during litigation over which Attorney Pat rick Healey was one of the lawyers. Curtiss likewise denied ever having attended any Republican state con- ventions, but said he had attended COP. congressional conventions, including the 5th district conven- ton last fall. MT. Curtiss was chal- lenged by the defense.
 Mrs. Charlotte Heiss, Beacon Falls, housewife, was the second panel member called to the stand yesterday. She was questioned only briefly before she was excused by the defense.
 No questions were asked by either side of William McAvoy, of Ham, den. The defense immediately &C., cepted him as an alternate, but MT. Alcorn, after several minutes of consultation with his aides, chal- lenged him.
 Questioned by MT. Alcorn, Prem tice J. Weymer, of Seymour, said he had read somewhat about the case, but would consider the evidence fairly and honestly. The defense asked him no questions but ex- cused him.
 Next to take the stand was Jo- seph Lineweber, of Oxford, dairy farmer. He said he knows little about the case, except that he un- derstood it involved an alleged mil lion-dollar fraud. First he said he could not recall the names of any of the accused, but under further questioning by Attorney George Crawford of the defense, he. said he remembered that Mayor Hayes and former Controller Daniel j. Leary were among the defendants He said he had had jury experience, is Republican and has served as first and second selectman.
 Defense counsel conferred for about 10 minutes and then accepted MT. Lineweber, but the venireman was at once challenged by MT. AL corn for the state.
 Frederick Pragemap, of Walling- ford, said his mind was free and open on the case though he has read about it occasionally. He said he has had jury experience. The state accepted him, but this time the defense exercised one of its premptory challenges and ex- cused him.
 Richard Bowen, of Ansonia, a re- tired toolmaker, was challenged by the defense. He said he had once had business dealings with Attorney Benjamin Slade of defense counsel He was questioned for only a short time.
 The next several veniremen were excused in short order. They were Alice M. Ross, of New Haven, chal- lenged by the state; Herbert J. Moss of Cheshire, excused by the court; Abel DeVeoux, of Oxford, challenged by the state; Patrick Lannon, of