The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-05-08
EXCITEMENT IN A COURT.
a CONVICTED MURDERER TRIES
TO FELL AN ATTORNEY.

Wife Slayer Schneider the Principal
Actor in the Scene-Bailiffs Have a
Hard Fight to Overcome Hlm-He
Answers the Judge With a Curse.
Sentenced to be Hanged.
WASHINGTON, May Tn the case Of
Howard J. Schneider, who was convicted
of the murder of his wife on Jan. 81
last, Judge Bradley Of the criminal court
to-day denied a motion for new trial and
sentenced Schneider to be hanged on Jan,
20, 1898. Judge Wilson, counsel for the
prisoner, submitted written argument in
support Of his motion, but stated to the
court that there were no new grounds for
his motion other than those already passed
upon by the court during the progress of
the trial. He, however, moved an arrest of
Judgment pending his appeal of the case to
the court in general term. This motion was
briefly argued by Judge Wilson and Dis
trict Attorney Cole.
READY TO PASS SENTENCE.
At the conclusion Of the argument Judge
Bradley stated that it was the practice OF
the court to pass sentence Immediately
upon denial for a motion for O new trial.
Schneider's appearance in court this
morning was in strong contrast to his
Jaunty and unconcerned demeanor during
the progress OF the trial. His face was un-
shaven, his eyes sunken and haggard and
his clothing and general aspect were those
OF man who was without hope.
Having overruled the motion for a new
trial the district attorney asked that SEN
tence Of court be pronounced.
SCHNEIDER BECOMES VIOLENT.
Then occurred scene never before wit-
messed In the court and rarely elsewhere.
As the district attorney ceased speaking
Schneider suddenly became frantic Jump
ing up from his chair he grasped it and was
in the act of raising it with the apparent
purpose OF striking the district attorney,
when he was seized by bailiffs and forced
into his seat. He, however, kept up the
struggle to regain his feet for some time, all
the while gasping out oaths Of rage and
defiance.
Dnring this scene the large crowd
in the court became excited. Nearly every
one spraug to their feet and several of the
women present screamed and attempted to
force their way out.
TRYING TO PLAY INSANE.
In speaking of the matter later District
Attorney Cole expressed the opinion that
Seine der was simply trying to play the
crazy dodge, and did not know how to go
about it. District Attorney Cole did not
believe that Schneider really intended to
strike him. 1t was an Intellectual attempt
to feign insanity. After the officers had
secured complete control Of the prisoner the
judge ordered that he be haudcuffed, stat
ing that when he had regained his compos-
ure the manacles might be removed and he
would then pass sentence.
TOO WEAK TO STAND ALONE.
Schneider was greatly excited and exc
hausted from his struggle with the officers,
and when he had become more calm he was
too weak to stand alone. When ordered
again to stand up he was forced from sheer
weakness TO lean heavily upon his keepers
In response to the usual question as to
whsther he had anything to say why the
sentence Of the court should not be pro-
nounced upon him, he made an almost in
audible ejaculation which the bailiffs in-
terpreted as curse.
THE JUDGES REMARKS.
Judge Bradley then quoting the words Of
the prisoner made few remarks, in the
course of which he said that Schneider's
conduct this morning was consistent with
the hellish design with which he had taken
the life of his wife, and, speaking directly
to Schneider, said that "rhere was
never case in this community
or in this country, where more
tlendish and malignant spirit was
shown than ln yours. Your insanity is all
a sham, and it is apparent that your weak
ness is a ruse when i5 took two powerful
men to overcome you" He then sentenced
the prisoner to be hanged ia the district jail
on Jan. 20, 1898. Judge Wilson gave notice
Of an appeal and asked that he be given
ninety days within which to prepare his
case. This request was granted, aud
Schneider was hurried from the room