The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-03
Il. h. HOLMES CONVICTED.
Harder 10 The First Degree for Killing
Bepjlmin PIelIel The Verdict.
Tub FINDING VAS 4 STUNNING BLOW.
Was Required 10 Seal Holmes Fate.
Argument for . New Trial to be
Heard November 18th.

PHILADELPHIA. PA. Nov. s.--I3er-
mann W. Mudsett OF. as he II better
known. II. HI. Holmes. was tonight con-
victed of murder In the first degree. for
killing Benjamin J.. Pictzel ia this city
on September Il, 1921.
The jury needed but one ballot to reach
this decision. The jury retired at s:1
o'clock. AT The conclusion OF Judge Ar
noid's charge. After the retirement Of
the jury from the courtroom the specta~
tors streamed out into the corridors. ana
eagerly discussed what the verdict would
probably be. There was considerable dr.
ference OF opinion, as many believed the
Commonwealth had not thoroughly ss-
tablished its case against Holmes, but
the majority were inclined TO believe that
The jury would convict him.
THE v.RDrOr.
At s;s5 O'Clock word was sent 10 Judge
Arnold that the jury was ready to re-
turn the verdict. When Judge Arnold en-
tered the room there was not nearly as
many people present as had attended the
day session. The prisoner was brought
In and placed In the dock. He was as I'm
passive as ever when he took his seat.
The jury came I'm and took their places
and IL needed but little skill as a mind
reader 10 know what the word would be
that the foreman would pronounce. The
Court ordered Holmes TO arise. and. In
replying to the question of the Court. the
foreman of the jury pronounced the fatal
words, Guilty OF murder In the first de-
| gree" The veriict was greeted with alb
| solute silence.
The charge OF the Judge must have fore
| shadowed what his fate would be. but
| the word guilty fell upon Holmes with
| stunning force. lie made no outcry or
| exhibited an er.otion OF any kind; the
| blow was too stunning for noisy odt-
| breaks. He sat down, and while the Jury
was polled each man answered to his
| name. and as each pronounced his sem
| tence, Holmes stared vacantly before
him. His face was that Of n corpse. IL
was as absolutely expresslonless as
mask Only a nervous twitchlng OF tho
eye-lids, and the contraction and dila-
tion OF the eyes, showed that there was
living. breathing man that sat in the
| dock. AS the effects OF the blow began to
| die away. Holmes slowly recovered. lie
| realized that his counsel was making a
motion for a new trial. His under lip fell
and he ran his tongue across It, mo. stem
ing the dryness and. ciasping his hands
| together. he leaned forward 10 listen to
the judges decision. When Judge Arnold
said that he would hear the application
| for a new trial on Monday, November
18th, an expression OF something iko
| hope broke across hts dull face. Turning
TO the courts officers he said. in an eager
whisper: xMonday. November 18TH"
These were the only words he uttered
Horsts touSsHL.
Rotan and Mr. Shoemaker his appre-
citation OF how diiiicalt their task had
been. and he complmented them that
they had been able to make as good a
| show for the defence as they did. NJ
| intlmatcd that their withdrawal from
the case was a device OF the prisoner
In n manly, honest way, Mr.. Rotan gave
| the Court to understand that their with
drawal was no device OF their own, but
was done from a sincere conviction that
they believed that they had not been
| given time to prepare their case.
Judge Arnold then ordered the pris-
oner removed. by thic time. Holmes mad
recovered mcuch OF his coniposure. and
he walked from the room with the
quick, sprngy step that IL natural "a
| him. The Judge thanked the jury for
their attention and discharged them. and
so ended the trial OF the most notorious
and Infamous murderer that has ever
been tried In the courts OF Pniiadeiphia
or In the United States.
HOLMES BLACK RECORD.
II ever the value of a good name
would have been a shield and buckier
10 a man In his hour Of peril. that mar
IL Holmes. II ever r. mans black deeds
rise up 10 confront and convict him. that
man Is Holmes. II Holmes had oniy
been in the dock for the murder o'
Piotzel It is an open question " IN,
orosecution would not have failed OF
conviction. hut unquestionabiy his bloody
record served to condemn him. Is Ihs
iury was never in doubt. When ,hey
retired from the courtroom. they 'ooS
their suppers, and then "A brief DISCUS
sion took place. one ballot was tnsen,
and every man voted TO convict. ine'
consumed three hours from the 'euIe,
ment from the courtroom. but .esy
could have found a verdict In nI'een
n,,r,,,es. IL they had wished 20 do so.
| - q.