The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-05-08
a TEKRIHLE SCENE.
murderer Schneider Attempts to Assault
District Attorney Colo.

Murderer Schneider Attempts to Assault
District Attorney Colo.
WAsIlNGroN, May T.-iSpecial In
the case of Howard j. Schneider, who
was recently convicted of murder Of
his wife on January 81 last, Judge
Bradley, OF the Criminal Court. denied
motion for u new trial and sentenced
Schneider TO be hanged Jan. 20, leg.
Judge Wilson, counsel for tho prisoner,
submitted Il written argument in sup
port of his motion, but staten to tho
court that there we're no ncw groun Is
for his molten other than those passed
upon by the court during tho progress
OF the trial. Re, however, moved an
arrest OF judgmen: ponIiuc his ap2c
OF the case 10 tho court in general term
This motion was briefly ;sr.Uod hy Judge
Wilson and District "A Attorney Colo. At
tho conclusion Of the argument Judge
bradley stated that it was the practice
Of the court to pass sentence immcdi-
atcly upon the denial of motion for a
new trial.
Schneider's appearance in court this
morning was i'll strong contrast to his
Jaunty and unconCerncd demcanor dur
ing the progress of the trial. His face
was unshaven, bis eyes Sunken and bag
gard, and his clothing and general as
pcct were those of Il man who was with
out hope. The Judge having overrulcd
the motion for new trial the district
attorney asked that the sentence Of tho
court bc pronounced. Then occurred n
scene never before witnessed in this
court and rarely elsewhere
AS tho district attorney ceased speak
irg Schneider suddenly became frantic
Jumping up from his chair he graspcd
it and WAS in tho act Of raising it. with
the apparent purpose Of striking the
GiStric. attorney when he was seized by
the bailiifs and forced again into his
seat. He, however, kept up the struggle
to regain his fee: for some time. ali the
while gaspiDg out oaths CT rage and de-
iiancc.
During this scene the large crowd in
court became excited. Nearly every
ono sprang to his feet and several
women present screamed and attem pied
to force their way out. In speaking of
the matter later District at. orney Cole
expressed the opinion that Schneider
was simply trying to play the crazy
dodge, but did not know how to 60
about it. Cole did not believe that
Schneider really Intended to strike him.
1t vas an Intellectual attempt TO feign
insanity.
After the officers had secured com
plete control OF the prisoner the Judge
ordered that he be handcuiTed, stating
that when he had regained his compo.
sure the manacles might be removed
and he would then pass sentence.
Schneider was greatly excited and eX
hausted from his struggle with the Of
hcers, and when he had become more
cal III he was too weak to stand alone.
When he was again ordered to stand
up he was forced from sheer weakness
to lean heavily upon his keepers. In
RESPONSE TO the usual question as to
whether he had anything to say why
sentence of court should not be pro
nounced upon him, he made an almost
inaudible ejaculation which the bailifa
interpreted as God damn YOU"
Judge Bradley then quoting the words
of the prisoner made a few remarks. in
tho course of which he said that
Schneider's conduct this morning was
consistent with the hcllish design with
which he had taken the life of his wife,
and speaking directly TO Schneider said:
There was never case in this com
munity or in this country where more
fiendiSh and malignant spirit was shown
than in yours. Your insanity is all !,
sham, and 1T is apparent that your weak
ness is Il rusc when it took two power
full men to overcome you" He then
sentenced the prisoner to be hanged in
the district Jail January 20, 1893
Judge Wilson gave notice of an appeal
and asked that he be given ninety days
within which to preDar the case. This
request was granted, and Schneider was
hurried from the room.