IMPANELLING THE JUST AT GUITEAU’S TSIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6506, 3 January 1882, Page 3

IMPANELLING THE JUST AT GUITEAU’S TSIAL.

The following interesting account of how June* ,«re empanelled in America is contained In a telegram to the Alta California

Washikoxon, Not. 16. The back entrance to the Oriminal Courtroom opened about 0.90 this morning, and almost immediately about 50 ladies were tuherod in by the Deputy Marshals, and giren ieaU in chain immediately in the rear of the counsels. A few minutes before 10 o'clock the jurors who had been accepted entered the room and took their teats. Before 10 o'clock the Court-room was filled to overflowing, the audience being very reepeotable. The Court was called to order, ana during tlio calling of the names of the jurors the prisoner was brought in. His appearance was wild and excited. He tossed his bat upon the desk before him, and, turning toward his brother-in-law, Scoville, burricdly whispered something to him in an extremely excited manner. The two entered into conversation, and Guiteau, while speaking, used his clenched fists rigorously, as if insisting upon a matter whieh Scoville ■eemed to disapprove. The list of talesmen being called, Judge Cox questioned the first talesman. E. L Kenzia, upon his feelings regarding Guiteau. Kenzia responded that he did not think there would possibly he sufficient evidence to change the opinion he had formed. The next talesman called was excused almost at once, having formed a decinV! opinion. A labourer named Thomas declared that he had neither expressed nor formed an opinion. He could not read, and had never had any conversation whatever on the subject. Scoville remarked that this man was about the kind of juror the law contemplated, but the defence did not want him. He, therefore, challenged peremptorily. A coloured barber named Williams was called. Having formed no opinion he was examined by Scoville. He read the papors every morning before 7 o'clock, and, being a barber, of course had conversed a great deal on the subject. In response to the inquiry as to whether he bad been a juror in a murder case, he said he had, but the jury disagreed. His remarks caused considerable amusement throughout the room. After further questions, Williams wbb excused. William H. Browne, commission merchant being closely questioned by Scoville, and no objection being advanced by the Government, was accepted, making the tenth juror. George I Keen, in response to interrogations, said there was nothing under heaven which could change the opinion be had formed, and several other gentlemen were as decided in their answer as was,Keen. I. Heirlren, an iron worker, was sworn as the eleventh juror. Thomas H. Barrow, a carpenter and builder, answered the preliminary questions in a satisfactory manner, and then was more closely examined by Scoville. He had talked very little, and never formed opinions until he had heard both side?. He had never been a Freemason. He had once been an Oddfellow, but had dropped that Order, becaure ifc was the duty of a good citizen to help everybody. Being asked whether he believed in a hereafter, he said that the present implied a hereafter, and he believed every violation of a law, whether natural or spiritual, would be punished. Being asked whether he had ever employed any of the'lawyers for the prosecution, he said the only lawyer he had ever employed was Davidge, and his experience with the law then was such that hehsd never sued a man since. Being asked whether his wife was living, he said: " Yes; what is left of her—not much." The dry and caustic humour with which the man replied to all the questions afforded much amusement. Bcoville at last made up his mind to accept Barrow as a juror, but the district Attorney preferred to excuse him and interpose a peremptory challenge. One of the talesmen, on examination, said bis opinion of the case had been materially changed by the bulletins of the attending surgeons, which had appeared daily in the windows of the various business houses throughout the city. The District Attorney questioned the talesman on his point, and after reiterating the cause of his changed opinion he was peremptorily challenged by the Government. After the talesman had stated the cause of his change of opinion, Guiteau whispered to a newspaper correspondent: "Put that in." The prisoner seemed much gratified with the statement, as it tended to establish the idea of mal practice. There were 32 men examined between the tenth and eleventh jurors. There have been 10 peremptory challenges on the part of the defence. The next talesman examined was 0. A. Hane, boot and shoe manufacturer, who proved to he acceptable to the defence, but was peremptorily challenged by the Government. Joseph Prather, commission merchant, was accepted and sworn in as the twelfth juror. The Court took recess for half an hour, and, upon re-assembling, District Attorney Corkhill asked the Court that the oath be administered to the jury as a whole. This being done, the District Attorney then moved that the Court adjourn in order to give the jurors an opportunity to attend to their respective business matters. During the examination of talesmen, the following statement was prepared by Guitaau, copied by his brother, and given to the Press: —" To the Legal Profession of America : I am on trial for my life. I formerly practised law in New York and Chicago, and I propose to take an active part in my defence, as I know more about my inspiration and views in the case than any one. My brother-in-law, George Scoville, Esq., is my only counsel, and I hereby appeal to the legal profession of America for aid. I expect to nave money shortly, so I can pay it back. I shall get it, partly from the settlement of an old matter in New York, partly from the Bale of my book and partly from public contributions to my defence. My defence was published in the New York Herald on October 6th, end my speeoh was published November loth (yesterday). Any well-known lawyer of oriminal capacity, desiring to assist in my defence, will please telegraph, without delay, to George Scoville, Washington, D.O. If for any reason an application be refused, the name will be withheld from the public.— fSigned] Chasms Gttitbatt."