Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 April 1883 — A Premature Decision. [ARTICLE]

A Premature Decision.

The Superior Court was in session in one of the loAver counties of the circuit, and the solicitor, Avith the counsel for defense, were engaged in the selection of a jury for the trial of a man charged with murder. As usual in such cases, some difficulty was experienced in obtaining a jury, and the court was getting tired of such tedious proceedings. “Call the next juror, Mr. Clerk,” said the solicitor for the hundredth time. The clerk called out the man, and an old man with an honest face and a suit of blue jeans clothes rose up in his place, and the solicitor asked the following customary questions: “Have you, from having seen the crime committed, or having heard any of the evidence delivered under oath, formed or expressed an opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the prisoner at the bar?” “No, sir.” “Is there any bias or prejudice resting on your mind for or against the prisoner at the bar ?” “None, sir.” “Is your mind perfectly impartial between the State and the accused?” “It is.” “Are you opposed to capital punishment?” “I’m not/’ All the questions had been answered, and the court was congratulating itself on having another juror, and the solicitor in solemn tones said: “Juror, look upon the prisoner—prisoner, look upon the juror.” The old man adjusted his spectacles, and peeringly gazed at the prisoner for fully half a minute, when he turned his eyes toward the court and earnestly said: “Judge, I’ll be condemned if I don’t believe he’s guilty!” It is useless to add that the court was considerably exasperated at having lost a juror, but the more humorous inclined had a good laugh out of the old man’s premature candor.— Elberton ( Ga .) South.