National Affairs: In Detroit

In Detroit there opened the trial of eleven accused Negroes and at the table reserved for defense counsel appeared that baggy figure in grey, with his hands in his pockets, that has become such a landmark in the public eye. Clarence Darrow, in his eternal grey suit, with his hands thrust in his pockets, was sporting a bright blue shirt, white collar, black tie.

That week barely a beginning was made in selecting a jury. A special venire of 150 was called; only 65 appeared; 37 asked to be excused; 14 were excused for cause; and Mr. Darrow, carefully eyeing the small remainder, peremptorily challenged two of them.

So began the trial of Dr. Ossian H. Sweet, his wife and friends. Dr. Sweet had bought a house in a white section of Detroit. A white man was found dead nearby, presumably by a bullet fired by Negroes in Dr. Sweet’s house. The question for the jury to decide is whether the Negroes had defended themselves from the attack of a white mob or had fired wantonly.