SC1896_FF1_135

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or if they had, it was from rumor only, which the
Judge decided, did not disqualify them. A great
raascal named Leroy May, a devoted friend to
the Anderson family, & who had himself been
guilty of Murder, some years before, & who
was summoned as a Juror & was very anxious
to serve. Being sworn, he said he had not formed
or expressed an opinion - had not heard any of
the evidence - had not conversed with any of the
witnesses. When in fact, and in truth, he was
in Winchester on the day the Murder was committed -
no doubt saw it - in all probability
from his character, & devotion to the A. family
had been consulted about it & was present
aiding & abetting or ready if necessary to aid
& abet in the commission of the murder. At
any rate he was present all the time, al tho
first examination, on the night after the
murder was committed before Estill and
Sharp, & heard several witnesses examined
before them - in fact he was by the side of
Anderson all the time, as his special friend
and behaved very badly, so much so, that
he left town before day light next morning
to escape a good "Lynching" with which he was
threatened by some respectable men. Being
further interrogated, he admitted that he was
not impartial, & was thereupon set aside.
Another very corrupt man, Nathaniel Hunt
who had been many years Sheriff of the County
summoned as a Juror, perhaps in the orginal
panel, on being sworn, was not certain that
he had formed an opinion, had heard at least
part of the evidence; he was neither recused
or rejected. but was directed to stand aside.