The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-10-31
HOLMES ON TRIAL.
THE FIRST DAYS PROCEEDINGS
RESULT IN A SENSATION.
Holiness Attorneys Suddenly With
drew From the Case in the Face
of Threats of DiSbarment, and the
. Defence. E'&5 .&&EEI EEE g !

Philadelphia, Oct. 80. - II. Fl.
Holmes, who, according to his own
remarkable confessions, stands at the
head Of the list OF modern criminals
was put on trial in the court of oyer
and terminer for the murder Of Ben
jamin r. FietZel. Arraigned against
him as the commemorative prosecu-
tors are District Attorney George 5.
Graham and his special assistant, L.
w. Barlow, while the counsel for the
prisoner We're William n. Shoemaker
and Samuel p RotAn, young members
of the junior bar Of this city. Judge
Michael Arnold is upon the bench.
Holmes was brought in and placed
in the the dock. He looked pale and
wan but neat. He was plainly ner-
vous and looked about the room with
4 shifty expression in his steelly-blue,
eyes. Occasionally he would lean for
ward and address whispered word
to his counsel. Mr.. Shoemaker, of
counsel for defense, did not come into
court until quarter OF an hour after
court convened. Mr. Graham, for the
prosecution, instantly asked that the
case proceed. Holmes was then or
UeEetl TO rise anu Ic WIS lOl loAu
of his right to challenge Jurors.
Mr.. Shoemaker asked for continu-
ance of ,he case. He urged the lack
of time for the preparation Of the de-
Tense.
"Therc are three homicide cases in
volyeu in this caSe," he urged, land
we have had only as much time rs
would be adequate preparation on
one.
1t was expected to present newly
discovered evidence of such vital i'm
portance that Holmes would undoubt-
edly he acquitted Of this charge. Mr..
Graham protested against the grant
ing of 4 continuance, which, he said,
would mean the absolute destruction
of the commemorative case. Mr..
Graham dwelt upon the severe strain
under which Mrs. I'ietzel had been
put. and said an examination into her
mental condition made it apparent
that were a continuance granted the
commonwealth would lose it's most i'm
portant witness. MI Rotan, for the
defense. renewed the plea for res
pite but it was overruleu by Judge
Arnold
Mr.. Shoemaker and Mr.. Rotan Gre
ateh mild sensation by saying that
If the judges decision was irreVoca
bic they would withdraw from the
case, but Judge Arnold spoiled this by
declaring that Il member of the bal
who would withdraw from a murder
case on the very eve of its trial would
be called upon to show cause why he
should not be disbarred for unprofes
sioEal conduct Counsel did not ap
pear anxious to accept this altcrna
tive. but before they could reply Mr.
Graham arose.
Creates II Scene
LAS far as the plea of lack Of none,
Is concerned" he said. Il have posi-
tive knowledge that large sums O
money were offered within the las
week to prominent attorneys at Thu
bar to come in as associate counsel il
this case, showing that there are suf
ticient funds at hand.'
Call a jury" said Judge Arnold.
"Will your honor allow the case t.
go over until tomorrow morning ::
pleaded Mr.. Rotan.
Call a jury" re-echoed Judge Al
mold firmly, and the calling began
One juror had been admitted by til
commonwealth when there was ar
other sensation. Holmes arose in til
dock and, in a quivering voice said t
Judge Arnold:
May it please the court. have II
inclination to continue with the tris
of this case with Mr.. Rotan and MI
Shoemaker as my counsel, feelin
that. in view of their desire to Will
draw, my interests would be dan
aged. l therefore discharge them 4
my counsel
You cannot discharge them, NJ
Holiness" answered Judge ARNOLD
"That is for the court, and if the
withdraw from this case they will
punshed'
If continued Holmes. his tone sti
trenulous. "if your honor will give N
until tomorrow to secure addition;
COUNSEL
I'VE will have no more debate, NJ
HOlmes-the matter is decided.''
THO examination of jurors then pr,
cceded. when Shoemaker again aros
and stated that the prisoner absolut
~ forbade them from representa-
him in the case, and declared that L
(Holmes) would examine the juror
and witnesses himself.
Judge Arnold said he would perm
Holmes to question the jurors if he
desired while counsel considered IL
question of their proceeding. Holmt
armed himself with pencil and pape
and Enoch Turner, the first juror, w;
turned over to him for examination
He had already stated, in answer
Mr.. Graham. that he had formed a
opinion on the case, but he could ne
ertheless try it according to the ey
dence.
Surprising Queries.
Holmes began with the s,1rprisil
query: Mr.. Turner, are you a ma
ried man? Are you physically wei
Are you in condition to serve in tn
case without delaying it," i:
Receiving satisfactory answers.
took up the question of having, formt
ali opinion, and challenged peremptc
fly. stE#
The next man, Frederick Slump s
grocer, had formed no opinion, al
was accepted, both by, Mr., Graha
and by Holmes 'F' a-.'<@
At this juncture Messrs. Rotan a,
Shoemaker arose and declared til
they felt obliged to withdraw fro
the case, regardless of consequence
%c1~