Page:The World's Most Famous Court Trial - 1925.djvu/49



Court opened with prayer by the Rev. Moffett. Oh, God, our Father, Thou Who are the creator of the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. Thou Who are the preserver and controller of all things, Thou who wilt bring out all things to Thy glory in the end, we thank Thee this morning that Thou doest not only fill the heavens, but Thou doest also fill the earth. We pray Thy blessings upon this Court this morning. We pray that Thy blessings might guide the presiding judge, that he may give wise decisions in his conduct of this case. We pray that Thou would bless the jury, each member of it, as they shall hear and receive testimony, that they may be able to receive it and make a decision according to the law and the evidence in the case. We pray Thee, our Father, that Thou would bless the lawyers on each side of this case, that each one of them singly and individually shall have nothing before their minds, but each one shall do his duty that justice may be done. We pray Thee that Thou wouldst bless the principles in this case, that Thou wouldst bless those in the court and those on the outside to the ends of the earth. Bless these newspaper men as they take reports and interpret the facts throughout the world. Our Father, we pray Thee that Thy blessings may so overshadow and that Thy spirit may so direct and that Thy spirit may so guide and that the highest ideals of justice and righteousness and truth may prevail in this court in its decision for the good of men and for Thy glory, we ask in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Court—Open court, Mr. Sheriff.

Mr. Sheriff—We will have to have order in the courtroom. Call the jury Mr. Clerk. Answer to your name, gentlemen. (List of jurors was thereupon called.)

The following corrections were made by the jurors as to their several initials.

W. G. Day, R. F. West, J. W. Riley.

The Court—The jury is all present. Are you ready to proceed Mr. Attorney-General?

Gen. Stewart—Is the defendent present?

Mr. Neal—Yes, sir.

Mr. Neal—Before the jury is sworn we want to call attention to our motion to dismiss and quash the indictment which has been filed.

The Court—I think, Dr. Neal, that the indictentindictment [sic] should be read first and then when I call on you to plead you may present your motion. Are you ready to read the indictment General?

Gen. Stewart—Your honor, we want to interrogate one of the jurors.

The Court—Very well, which one?

Gen. Stewart—Mr. Gentry, Prof. Gentry.

The Court—You want the rest of the jury to retire?

Gen, Stewart—Yes, sir.

The Court—Mr. Sheriff, take the jury please sir, for the present, except Mr. Gentry. Let's have order in the courtroom. Where is my policeman that had the gavel here the other day?

Spectator—Right over there.

The Court—Come over here, Mr. Rice, I wish you would keep order