Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-03
HOLMES CONVICTED.
Only One Ballot on The Part Of the
Jury Necessary.
MURDER ~ THE FIRST DEGREE.
That IL the Verdict-Prisoner Stun
ncd--Motiou for New Trisi-Appii-
cation VIII he Heard on Monday
The 18th last.
the 18th last.

PHILADELPHIA. PA. November ..
Hermann W. Mudgett. or. as he is better
known. II. II. Holmes. was tonight
convicted OF murder in the FIRST degree
for ailling Benjamin L. Pietzel In this
city September =, 1894. The jury neej-
Ell but one ballot 10 reach this decision.
II retired at j:lS O'Clock at the conclusion
OF Judge ArnOlps charge.
After the retirement Of the jury from
the courtroom The spectators sireamei
ont into the corridors. and eagerly dis
crssed what the verdict would probably
be. There was considerable difference
OF opinion, as many believed the Com
monweath had not thoroughly established
its case against Holmes; but the ma
iority were inclined TO believe that the
Jury would convict him.
At s.3J O'Clock word was sent to Judge
Arnold that the jury was ready 20 return
the verdict. When Judge Arnold entered
the room there was not nearly az
many people present "a had attended
the day session. The prisoner VAS
brought in and placed in the dock. Hs
was as mpaSsive as ever az he took his
seat The jury came in and took their
places. and II needed hut little skin ~
a mindreader 10 know what the word
would be that the foreman would pro-
nounce. The Court ordered Holmes 10
rise, and, in replying 10 the question oc
the Court. the foreman OF the Jury pro-
nounced the fatal words. Guilty Of muir
der in the first degree"
The verdict was greeted with absolute
silence. The charge of the Judge muse
have foreshadowed what his fate would
be, but the word Of guilty fell upon
Holmes with stunning force. He mads
no cutlery and exhibited no emotion oe
any kind. The blow was too stunning
for noisy outbreaks. He sat down. and.
while the jury was poled, each man
answered to his name and. as each pro-
nounced his sentence. Holmes stared va
c1ntly before him His face was that
OF a corpse. It was absolutely as express
sionless as mask. Only a nervous
twitching Of the eyelids. and a contrac-
ton and 6ilation OF the eyes showed
that it was a living. breathing man that
sat In the dock.
Aa the effect Of the blow began 10 die
away Holmes slowly recovered He re-
allied that his counsel was making q
motion for new trial. His under-lip
fell and he ran his tongue across r..
moistening the dryness, ana claspng his
hands together. he leaned forward 10
listen 70 the judges decision.
NEW TRIAL ARGUMENT.
When Judge Arnold said that he would
hear the application for new trial on
Monday November 18th. an expression ~
something Ike hope broke across his dull
face. Turning TO the court officer, he
said In an eager whisper, Monday. No
yember 18th" These were the only words
he uttered
Judge Arnold then expressed 10 Mr..
Rotan and Mr. Shoemaker his appreca-
ton Of how difficult their task had been.
ana he cOmplimented them that they had
been able to make as good show for
the defence 40 they did. lie intimated
that their withdrawal from the case was
a device Of the prisoners In a manly.
honest way. Mr.. Rotan gave the c0ur,
TO understand that their withdrawal Wa,
10 device of their own. but WAS done
from a sincere conviction that they be-
lieved that they had not been given time
to prepare their case.
Judge Arnold then ordered the prisoner
removed. By This time Holmes had re-
covered much Of his cOmposure, and liz
walked from the room With the quicl,
springy step that is natural % him. The
Judge thanked the jury for their atten-
ton and discharged them. and go ended
the trial OF the most notorious and in
famous murderer that has ever been
tried in the courts OF Philadelphia or
the United states.
If ever the value Of a good name would
have been a shield and buckler To a man
IN his hour of peril that man Is Holmes
II ever a mans black deeds rose 40 10
confront and convict him, that man IL
Holmes. II Holmes had only been In the
dock for the murder OF Pietzel. IL Is an
open question If the prosecution would
not have failed Of conviction. but un-
questionably his bloody record served 10
condemn him
The jury was meyer in doubt. When
they retired from the courtroom they
took their suppers, and then brief dis f
crssion took place. one ballot was taken,
and every man voted to convict. They
consumed three hours for their retirement
from the courtroom. but they could have
found a verdict in fifteen minutes If they
had so wished to do.