Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-10-29
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LAWYERS WITHDRAW

Philadelphia, Pa, Oct. 2s.-H. H.
Holmes was brought on trial in the
Nurt OF oyer and terminer today for
HE murder of Benjamin Pietzel In this
4 'lty on September 2, 1894. and the de-
velopments Of the first day verified bet
force Of the maxim that truth is
= Granger than fiction. From the ma
lure OF the case and the startling
roriea concerning It which have gained
currency during the past year, sensa-
ilonal revelations were naturally to be
npscted, when he who has come to
"a be regarded as the most skillful and
n ludacious criminal OF modern times
"a was placed on the stand for his life.
n For what did occur in court so far sur
< ptised all expectations that the most
Il vivid flights Of imagination could
scarcely have conceived the days
h events
"a Protestatlons and entreaties for
continuance OF the trial were summari-
81 " overruled, the sudden withdrawal of
H the lawyers who had hitherto repre-
sented the prisoner in the face of
threats OF disbarment. the appoint
meht by the court of new counsel, and
n the refusal by the prisoner to accept
/ them as his defenders, the declination
III q another lawyer, after being Sc
M lected By Holmes, and finally, the pris-
oner trying his own case. This. not to
tpeak OF sundry dramatic passages be-
tween Holmes and the common
Mwealths prosecuting officer. Is a sum
mary Of what occurred.
Holmes was brought into the dock at
\ o'clock. his counsel entering the
MI ourt room with the prisoner. Mr..
hoemaker asked for r continuance of
he case, urging lack of time for the
Al PREPARATION OF the defense. Mr.. Ora
ID am, for the prosecution, protested
a.. glinst the granting of continuance.
y, rnlch he said, would mean the abso-
tie destruction of the commemorative
e. Mr. Rolan for the defense renewed the
Pea for respite. but 1t was overruled
: Judge Arnold.
ta - Mr.. Shoemaker and Mr.. Rolan
Ia meated mild NensaiiCn by saying thlt
!, II the judges decision was irrevocable
Z Mey would withdraw from the case
HI Judge Arnold spoiled this by de-
airing that a member of the bar VINO
mthdrew from a murder case on the
M eve Of its trial would De called
BON TO show cause why he shouli net
lDn&8 dlsbarred for unprofessional CEN
ave et Counsel did not appear anxious
l.gl accept this alternative. out before
Nh. " could reply Mr.. Graham aroce and
sTsss: As far as the plea of lack of money
,,ms,,s, concerned, | have positive RnCwl-
llaI IS where large sums OF money were
cred 10 attorneys to come into the
,sst as associate counsel for tine de-
~ e, showing that there are funds at
Z Ssll jury" said Judge Arnold.
- WIN your honor allow the ease to SO
Rolan.
.all a jury" re-echoed tie Judge
W and the call was begun.
- ns Juror had been admitted ly the
4. auhWealth when there vas another
t,uoh, Holmes arose in the docket
ny quivering voice said 10 Judge
wv May 1t please the court l
70 inclination to continue with
an 1 VA OF this case with Mr.. Polar
)dl' Mr. Shoemaker as my Counsel,
ss mat In view OF their desire to
aw my interests would be
~ l therefore discharge them
y ~ cannot discharge tn IN. Mr..
/. VI, answered Judge Arnold. "If
,st Pts punished. 'ie' W."
continued Holmes, your
KY give until tomorrow to Sc
MA s.uruonal COUNSEL
WI have no more debate, Mr.
she matter is decided"
- re,aaanination of Jurors was about
ss. ,,sed with when Shoemaker
-, hsoi,,es and stated that the pTiso-
~ rsssf IA i,na .ely forbade them from rep
nj KS ~ nm nm In the case and declared
\. p! - hoimes) would examine the
!srssssS ~ as witnesses himself.
llzSsj ~ ~ Arnold said he would hermit
SouL III question the Jurors If he 50
~ o. on c cs counsel considered the
- N H., 81 their proceeding. Holmes
,nrc1 moan s ,rl with pencil and paper
!, fkll. ovs, turner the first Juror, WAS
u iorsss had 20 him for examination.
,ss5as ~ d an Siready stated that he had
reg NM s5 H. opinion in the case bot that
ia car - srI,ssvertheless try 1t according
AlIseee uefy, hce' Holmes began with
,s,' S,s % pbSs, are You a married man?