Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1895-11-08
HOLMES II GUILTY.


Three 1AOurSs
i Philadelphia, Nov. 2.-Hermau
W. Mudgett, or as he is better known
II. H. Holmes, was tonight convict.
OF murder in the first degree for
killing Benz f. Pitezel in this city
on September 2, 1894. The jury
needed but one ballot to reach this
decision. The jury retired at 5:45
at the conclusion of Judge Arnold's g
charge.
After the retirement CT the jury
from the court room the spectators
streamed out into the corridors and
eagerly discussed what the verdict
would probably be. There was con.
siderable difference of opinion, as
many believed the commonwealth
had not thoroughly established it's
case against Holmes, but the major>
ity were inclined to believe that the
jury would convict him.
At S:35 word was sent to Judge
Arnold that the jury were ready to
return the verdict. When Judge
Arnold entered the room there we're
not nearly as many people as had at
tended the daily session. The pris-
oner was brought in the dock. He
was rs impassive as ever as he
took his seat. The jury came in and
took their places, and it needed but
little skill rs mind reader to know
what the word would be that the
foreman would pronounce.
The court ordered Holmes to rise,
and then in reply to the question of
the court the foreman of the jury
pronounced the fatal words, "Guilty
of murder in the first degree" The
verdict was received with absolute
silence. The charge Of the Judge
must have foreshadowed what his
fate would be, but the word "guilty'
fell upon Holmes with stunning force.
He made no outcry or exhibited any
emotion OF any kind-the blow was
too stunning for him. His face was
that OF a corpse. 1t was as absolute.
Iy expressionless as mask. Only a
nervous twitching of the eyelids and
the contradiction and dilation of
the eyes showed that it was living
breathing man that sat in the dock.
As the effect of the blow began to
lie away Holmes slowly recovered.
He realized that his council was max.
ing a motion for a new trial. His
under lip fell and he ran his tongue
across it to moisten the dryness, and
clasping his hands together he lean
ed forward to listen to the judges
decision. When judge Arnold said
that he would hear the application
for new trial on Monday Novem-
Der lS, an expression of something
like hope broke across his dull face.
Turning to the court officers, he
said in whisper "Monday, Nov. 18"
These were the only words he re-
turned. Judge Arnold then ex-
pressed to Mr.. Rotan and Mr.. Shoe-
maker his appreciation of how diff
cult their task had been, and he com.
plimented them that they had been
able to make as good show of the
defence as they did. He intimated
that their withdrawal from the case
was device of the prisoner. In a
manly, honest way Mr.. Rotan gave
the court to understand that their
withdrawal was no device of their
own, but was done from a sincere
conviction because they believed
they had not been given time to pre-
pare their case. Judge Arnold then
ordered the prisoner removed. By
this time Holmes had recovered
much of his composure and he walk
ed from the room with the quick,
springy step that is natural to him.
The judge thanked the jury for their
attention and discharged them and
SO ended the trial Of the most motor
ious and infamous murderer that
has ever been convicted in the courts
of Philadelphia and probably in the
United States, would have been a
shield and buckler.
If ever the value of good name
to man in his hour of peril that
man is Holmes. If ever a mans
black deeds rose up to confront and
con vict him, that man is Holmes. Ii
Holmes had only been in the dock
| for the murder Of Pitezel, it is an
open question If the prosecution
would not have failed of conviction,
but unquestionably his bloody record