We noticed the fact last week, that the trial of
Daniel E. Sickles, for the Murder of Philip Barton Key, was commenced in the
Criminal Court of this city on the Monday preceding. The first three days were
consumed in empanelling a jury. The regular panel, and two special panels of
seventy-five men each, were exhausted before the jury was completed. The Judge
ruled, at the instance of the district attorney, that none but property holders
to the value of eight hundred dollars should sit on the jury. This is the
letter of the law; but we understand that the practice has been to waive the
question of property qualification. The exception made in this case is regarded
as invidious, and has given rise to much comment. The interest felt in this
case is intense. The court room is daily crowded to its utmost capacity, and
hundreds, unable to get inside, hang about the doors and windows.
We present a list of the principal officers of the
court, the counsel, and the jury, as follows.
His Honor Judge Crawford, on the bench; Robert M.
Ould, Esq., United states District Attorney, prosecuting, assisted by J. M.
Carlisle, Esq.; Messrs. Graham of New York, Brady of new York, Phillips of
Alabama, Magruder of Virginia, Stanton of Pennsylvania, Radcliffe and Chilton
of Washington city, appear as counsel for the prisoner.
The jury is constituted as follows:
1. Rezin
Arnold, farmer.
2. James.
L. Davis, farmer.
3. John
E. Neale, merchant.
4. William
M. Hopkins, furnishing store.
5. William
Bond, shoe maker.
6. James
Kelley, tinner.
7. William
C. Harper, grocer.
8. Henry
M. Knight, grocer.
9. Jesse
B. Wilson, grocer.
10. John
McDermott, coach-maker.
11. William
M. Moore, occupation unknown.
12. O.
S. Wright, furniture dealer.
Thursday.—Judge Crawford
took his seat at ten minutes after ten, the jury having already taken their
seats in the box.
At twenty-five minutes past ten, Mr. Sickles was
brought in. His appearance was that of a man who had experienced much mental
suffering since yesterday.
The indictment, which, in the unusual form, charges
Daniel E. Sickles with the murder of Philip Barton Key, being read, the
District Attorney rose, and opened the prosecution by stating briefly the facts
which the United States expect to establish, and the law under which a verdict
of guilty would be demanded.
He then proceeded to examine the witnesses for the
United States, whose evidence simply goes to proving the fact and circumstances
of the homicide. The testimony in chief of the United States was closed on
Friday.
Saturday the defence was opened by Mr. Graham, of New
York, who spoke for several hours with marked ability, and gave way at three
o’clock, without coming to a close.
Mr. Graham resumed his remarks on Monday, and spoke
for three hours with great effect. The counsel for the prisoner then proceeded
to offer testimony in justification of the homicide. The fact was proven that
Key was on friendly and intimate terms with Sickles, and that the latter had
been instrumental in securing the reappointment of Key as District Attorney.
Letters from Key to Sickles, showing that the most intimate relations of
friendship existed between them, were offered to be read in evidence, but they
were ruled out by the court. The court adjourned at the usual hour.
On Tuesday, the examination of witnesses for the
prisoner proceeded. No fact was elicited with which the public is not already
acquainted. The examination of Gov. Walker produced an overpowering effect upon
Mr. Sickles, as the witness described the scene at the house of Mr. S.
immediately after the homicide.
The written confession of Mrs. Sickles was offered in
evidence, but the District Attorney objecting to its reception, the court took
time to consider the point, and had not decided when the hour of adjournment
arrived. The deepest sympathy for the prisoner prevails.
SOURCE: The National Era, Washington, D. C.,
Thursday, April 14, 1859, p. 2
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