Evening star., 1943-08-30
.Clatterbuck Jury
Selection Moves
AT Slow Pace
Half of 60-Mun
Panel Exhausted,
With ; Chosen
By a staff correspondent of The Star

jurors exhausted, the Loudoun
County Circuit Court had selected
only three talesmen by 1890 pm.
for the trial of Thomas William
Clatterbuck on a murder charge in
the Staying of five persons on the
r. Morris Love farm near here on
June |.
Clatterbuck is charged with the
killing of Mr.. Love, prominent
farmer, his wife and son James, and
Mr.. and Mrs, Walter Russell,
tenants on the Love farm.
Twenty-nine of the 80 veniremen
were excused by Judge j. r. H. Alex
ander. All but one stated under
oath that they held opinions in con-
nection with the case that could not
be disregarded. One prospective
Juror told the court he was con-
scientiously opposed to capital pun
ishment, and was relieved from
service.
A panel of 20 jurors must be Sc
lected, with the prosecution AND de-
fense each entitled to eliminate four
men.
Examination Proceeds Slowly.
Examination of jurors proceeded
slowly and it appeared certain that
a new panel would have to be sum-
moned to provide enough unpreju-
diced talesmen. During the first hour
of the trial. only five men were ex-
amined and all were excused from
jury srvice.
Judge Alexander adjourned court
for lunch at 1890 and ordered the
trial to resume at 1:45 pm.
Earlier, Judge Alexander denied a
defense motion for a change of
venire. A change of venire would
mean getting a jury panel from out
side the county.
A motion that the present venire
Of so talesmen be quashed was pre-
sented by Defense Counsel Mai.
Robert A. Mcintyre of Warrenton.
Maj, Mcintyre contended Clatter-
buck could not be given an i'm
partial trial by residents of this
county.
Judge Alexander and Mai. Nc
Intyre engaged in a spirited dispute
during the questioning of one
prospective juror, Mai. Mcintyre
charged the iurist with phrasing
his questions so as to change the
mind of the talesman.
Judge Alexander denied the accu-
cation and several times ordered the
defense counsel to refrain from in
terrupting the proceedings.
Defendant is Quiet.
During the proceedings Clatter-
buck sat quietly facing the judge,
taking a keen interest in the dis
cussion. He was brought into the
courtroom shortly after 10 am. bv
two Virginia State troopers. He was
not shackled. but walked briskly be-
hind one of the troopers to his seat
IN the courtroom.
He was wearing dark trousers and
3 white shirt, open at the neck. He
wore neither coat nor tie.
Brother Sits Nearby.
His brother. M. w. Clatterbuck.
sat within 10 feet of the defendant
on a chair reserved for him lust
outside the rail. During the pro-
ceeoings he leaned over eagerly to
catch every word
Several relatives of the slain Love
family were present before the trial
opened, Miss Sarah Love, who was
not at home the day of the murders
entered the courtroom with sister
OF Mrs. Love shortly before IL m
and took a seat directly behind the
prisoner.
proceedings were INTERRUPTED 20
minutes after court convened when
1t was discovered no stenographer
was taking a transcript. The court
waited while attendants located the
secretary Of Commemorative Attor-
ney Charles F. Harrison. who is
prosecuting the case, and she agreed
to take notes.
Judge Sits Behind Jury.
The courtroom is laid ont so that
the Jurors will sit in two rows of
chairs directly below Judge AIex-
ander. with their backs toward him
A long table is placed about q
yafd IN front of the first row Of
jurors, and the attorneys and the
prisoner have places at this table
racing the judge and jury. Wit
nesses will sit at smaller table
alongside the attorneys and also will
lace the judge.
Inc courtroom filled rapidly after
the doors were thrown open shortly
peIofe the trial began. Judge Alex-
ander instructed Sheriff S. p. Alley.
ander to lock the doors when the
spectator seats were filled and not
10 allow any one, including news
papermen, to re-enter once thev
left the room.
Judge Questions TaIesman.
Each juror was asked by Judge
Alexander:
Have you been a resident of
virginia one year and of Loudoun
County six months?
Are you related to Mr.. Clatter-
DUCK, Mr.. Love or Mr.. Russell?
'c 3o0 lOi iileQ OF expressed
any opinion concerning this case
and If so can you disregard it?
Do you have religious or con-
scientious scruples against imposing
capital punishment If the law pro-
Vides for it?"
Although Maj. Mcintyre examined
several of the prospective jurors
closely, Mr., Harrison, who is being
assisted by w. w. Butzner of Fred
eric'Ssburg. Va, took almost no part
In the proceedings.
Trial Was DELAYED.
Indicted on first-deeree murder
charges at the June term of the
court, Clatterhuck is alleged to have
slain the five persons after an argu-
ment with Mr.. Love over two notes
signed by Clatterbuck for $4,000
which the farmer was holding.
Originally set for June 30. Clat-
terbuck's trial was postponed first
until July rs. Birth of a daughter
to the defendants wife caused the
trial to be postponed the second
time.