The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-01-12

4aklU AIlQ JdLIleS FuICcl, WlIO dAe expected to be of the leading state witnesses during the trial, did moi appear at the courthouse this morn ing. Both are understood to have received subpoenas from the state It was reported that they had been informed by telephone that they need not appear until next Tues- day.
 Speeding Things Up
 Shortly after the morning session opened, it appeared that the defense was planning to engage in lengthy questioning of veniremen during the day. But after the first or one pros pective jurors had been excused, the procedure speed up, and by 11:30 there had been F veniremen called to the stand.
 On several occasions neither the state nor the defense asked any questions of the prospective jurors. Two men in succession had scarcely sat down in the witness chair when they had been challenged, one by the state, the other by the defense
 Conference Held
 As the sixth panel was rapidly depleated, Judge Inglis summoned state and defense counsel to the bench, where a conference was held. Shortly afterward Judge Inglis an- nounced that seventh panel would be drawn later today if the two al- ternates yet needed had not been chosen before that time.
 Questioning in most cases today followed routine lines, with nothing of a startling nature developing. Questions were limited principally to the veniremen's knowledge of the case at hand and their holding opinions as to innocence or guilt.
 The first venireman to be ques- tioned this morning, William J, volz, of Seymour, was the 452d prospective juror called to the wit ness stand since the conspiracy trial got underway Nov. 29.
 Jury List Dwindling
 The entire jury list for New Ha- ven county is being rapidly depleted, but challenges for both sides are likewise steadily dropping toward the vanishing point. At the start Of court today the defense had only Al challenges remaining, while the state had 66. Subsequent challenges today reduced these totals still more.
 There was no mention in court today of the protest brought yester- day by Attorney Patrick F. Healey against the states procedure in summoning witnesses to appear at the courthouse.
 Forty Four Present
 Forty-four venirernen were pres ent when today's session opened. They were the only ones remaining of six panels of prospective jurors summoned in the case.
 The first venireman called today was William Volz, of Seymour, 80. He said that his hearing was fair, but when MT. Alcorn moved to the back of the courtroom and spoke, MT. Volz was unable to hear him. Judge Inglis excused him.
 Next on the stand was Ralph w. Sawyer, 68, of Ansonia, during whose questioning came the clash between Special Prosecutor Alcorn ard Attorney Crawford of the de- fense. MT. Sawyer said he is a retired travelling salesman and that ho had read something about the case. He said he had formed no opinion, however. AS Attorney Crawford asked the witness several questions about whether he had a feeling the defendants were probably guilty because they have been sum- moned to court, MT. Alcorn rose to object, claiming that the defense lawyer was pursuing" the witness. Obviously nettled, MT. Crawford moved that the witness be disquali- fled because of the special proSecu- tors remark. Judge Inglis denied the motion, and MT. Sawyer was subsequently, challenged by the de- fense.
 John E. Day, Jr., Madison farmer, was challenged by the state. He said he had read about the case but had formed no opinion.
 Another state challenge was used to excuse Michael D. Malumphy, of Ansonia. The defense asked him nc questions. MT. Malumphy said he was an insurance man, and had some jury experience. The defense accepted him, but he was rejected