The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1895-11-02
-7'--'
MURDERER HOLMES NOW.
Remarkable Trial Begins, the Jury
Being Secured in Four Hours.


Being Secured in Four Hours.
As the Durrant trial draws tc close
that of b. 81. Holmes begins in Phil
adelphia. The selecting of jury be-
gan yesterday, and as the proceedings
are SO decidedly unique We give them
in full, as shown in the dispatches yes.
terday:
."H. h. Holmes, who, according to his
own remarkable confession, stands ut
the head of the list of modern Grim
inals, was put on trial in the court OF
oyer and terniuer this morning for
the murder of Benjamin F. Pietzel.
The commonwealth prosecutors are
District Attorney George 5. Graham,
and Special Assistant Thomas w. Bar
stow.
William A. Shoemaker and Samuel
2. Rotan, young members of the bar
appeared for Holmes. Judge Michael
Arnold is upon the bench. Only
enough people were admitted to fill
the couI troom without uncomfortably
crowding it. Witnesses from Canada
and different parts of the country were
escorted into court shortly before 10
o'clock by Detective Frank Gray, who
travels throughout the United States
in search for evidence against Holmes,
which has been from time to time pub
lished. Promptly at 10 Holmes was
placed in the dock. He was plainly
nervous, and looked about the room
with a shifting expression. Shoe
maker asked for a continuance. He
urged lack of time for preparation.
There are three homicide cases in
volved in this case," he urged "and we
had only such time as would be ade
quate preparation for one." 1t was
to present newly discovered
evidence of such vital Importance that
Holmes would undoubtedly be ac-
quilted of this charge. Graham pro-
tested against having a continuance.
He dwelt upon the severe strain under
which Mrs. Peitzel had been put and
said an examination into her mental
condition made it apparent that were a
granted, the common
wealth would lose its most important
witness. Rotan, Of the defense, re-
newed his plea for a respite. 1t was
overruled by Judge Arnold. Shoe
maker and Rotan created a mild sem
sation by saying If the judges decision
were irrevocable they would withdraw.
Judge Arnold spoiled this by declaring
a member OF the bar who would with
draw from murder case on the very
eve of its trial would be called upon to
show cause why he should not be dis
barred for unprofessional conduct.
- $50 far as the plea of lack of money
is concerned" said Graham. II have
positive knowledge that large sums of
money were offered within the last
week to prominent attorneys at this
bar to come into the case as associate
counsel for the defense. showing there
are funds at hanG. "
''Will your honor allow the case to
go over till tomorrow morning?"
pleaded Rotan.
-"Call the jury" said the Judge
firmly.
One juror had been admitted by the
when Holmes, in a
luavering voice said to Judge Arnold:
May it please the court, have no in
clination to continue with the trial of
this case with Mr.. Rotan and Mr..
Shoemaker as my counsel, feeling that,
IN view of their desire to withdraw,
my interests would be damaged I
therefore. discharge them as my coun-
sell"
"You cannot. discharge them, Mr..
Holmes" said Judge Arnold; "that is
'or the court, and if they withdraw
from this case, they may be punished"
81, " continued Holmes, in tremulous
zones, "your honor will give me until
tomorrow to secure the additional
1--WE will have no more debate, Mr..
Holmes; the matter is decided"
The examination of the jurors was
about to be proceeded with, when Shoe
maker strted that the prisoner abso-
utely forbade them from representing
lim in the case, and declared he would
examine the jurors and witnesses him.
,elf.
Judge Arnold said he would permit
Holmes to question the jurors, if he
70 desired. Enoch Turner, the first
uror, was turned over to Holmes for
He had already stated
le had formed an opinion in the case,
'ut could nevertheless try.i according
o the evidence. Holmes challenged
lim preemptorily, Frederick Slump,
r., was accepted by both Graham and.
Holmes. Rotan and Shoemaker arose,
nd declared they felt obliged to with
raw from the case, regardless of con-
equences.
"You must take the consequences,
hen.n said the Judge, and they left
be courtroom.
The commonwealth officers con-
ulted with the Judge and then called
pom Everett A. Schofield and JIM.
'ahay, young lawyers. who agreed to
ssume the grave responsibility, with
II aid possible from Mr.. Graham.
[olmes objected on the ground as he |
new nothing OF these gentlemen he
hould not care to entrust his life to
hem. $50 far as aid from Graham is
oncerhed," he added, with unveiled
itterness, aI had abundant proof last
ear what promised aid from the dis
let attorneys Office means. May Il |
. allowed postponement TIL tomor-
'wto see r. o. Moon, who is already
.miliar with the case, and. whom I
now / can engage?"
"Do you, then, refuse to allow these
entlemen to defend you?"
81 do, sir; if am not allowed con-
nuance until tomorrow must ask to
y the case myself.
"We will go on today" said the
dge, sand we will see about engag-
g Moon later on"
The examination Of jurors was then
At las P. M. IL jurors had
,en selected. The court took recess