Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1895-11-09
CONVICTED.
Holmes Found Guilty Of the Muir
der of Pitgel.
Jury Requires But Short Time to Roach
Its Verdict-The Archfiend But Little
Moved by the Resuit-New
Trial Asked.

Philadelphia, Nov. A. Henry II.
Holmes was convicted of murder in the
first degree at 1851 o'clock Saturday
night for killing Benjamin f. Pitzel.
He coughed slightly when he heard the
words. That was the only sign.
The jury retired to deliberate at $40
o'clock. According to one of their num-
Der, they had reached their verdict be-
fore the doors of their room closed upon
them. For hunger's sake they ate their
supper first. Then they took ballot,
and without hesitation every man of
the 12 answered: Guilty of murder in
the first degree"
AT $40 o'clock there was hustle of
moving people in the packed courtroom
and 1T became known that the jury was
coming in. A moment later Judge Ar
mold took his seat. District Attorney
Graham and his assistants entered and
the jury filed solemnly in and took their
seats in the box. Then, amid an op-
pressive silence, Holmes was brought in
and placed in the dock. For u moment
there was not sound. The silence was
literally painful and every heart in that
crowded room throbbed faster. The
man who was about to hear his doom
pronounced stood erect in the dock, the
same death like pallor on his face. He
stared at the jury blanl1ly, his hands
clasped behind his back. Once or twice
he moistened his lips with his tongue.
There was no other sign of agitation.
Then, from deep-voiced court clerk
came the request to the jury for their
verdict. The condemning words came
promptly from the foreman: "Guilty
of murder in the first degree"
"Hem," uttered Holmes, clearing his
throat, but his shrunllen form never
trembled, his lips betrayed no culver,
his marvellous nerve had not forsaken
him. There was only tighter clasp Of
the hands folded behind him. Then he
slowly sat down and, at the request of
counsel, the jury was polled. AS each
name was called Holmes wrote it on the
margin of newspaper in his hand, and
the fingers holding the pencil never
shook. The verdict was formally re-
corded by the court, the motion for
new trial was made, and Holmes was
taken to his cellroom and a few mo-
ments later to prison. Then the jury
was thanked for it's attention and la
bors and sent home, the court adj
journed and the most extraordinary
case in the annals of American courts
was ended.
Holmes spoke to his counsel, Rotan
and Shoemaker, in the cellroom before
he was taken back to the Moyamensing
prison. To them he said: Il feel that
this condemns me. 1t was an unjust
trial" He would say no more than
that.
Immediately after the announcement
of the verdict the usual application for
leave to file motion for new trial was
made. District Attorney Graham did
not oppose the motion, and Judge Ar
mold fixed the 18th of this month for a
hearing. The principal reason urged
will be lack of time for the preparation
of the defense. Should a new trial be
refused, an appeal will be taken to tho
supreme court, and argument heard at
Its next sitting in this city, January.
1896.
| The verdict was a surprise to many
persons who did not believe the crime
had been fastened upon Holmes beyond
a reasonable doubt. When these heard
they said:
"Well, it was on general principles,
and it's just as good"
| That is not the meaning of the law,
hut in this case everybody agrees that
"it's just as good" There is no word
of pity or sympathy for the condemned
felon. He is regarded as a menace to So
ciety.
Mr.. Graham made the argument for
the prosecution and Mr.. Rotan that for
the defense.
Judge Arnold, in his charge to the
jury, began with the usual definition of
the various degrees of murder and man
slaughter and read several passages
from the penal code of Pennsylvania.
He instructed the jury to direct their
thoughts to the question whether the
prisoner had committed murder, and,
If SO, of what degree. If the common
wealth had proved that it was a wilful,
deliberate and premeditated murder,
then he was guilty of murder in the first
degree. If persuaded that it was sui
reasonable doubt in the minds of the
/ jurors they must acquit.
TRAIN ROBBED IN MEXICO.
| Bandits Dump n Wells-Fargo safe Out
and Get $1,000.
/ A r -.