The San Francisco call., 1895-11-03
MUDGETT MUST HANG
Holmes, as the Thug Is
Better Known, Convicted
of Murder.
ONLY ONE BALLOT CAST.
Jurors Quickly Decided That
the SWindler Killed
Pietzel.
ARRAIGNMENT FOR HIS CRIMES
District Attorney Graham of Phila.
delphia Unmercifully Scored
the Prisoner.
FOR HIS CRIMES

PHILADELPHIA, PA, Nov. 2.-Her-
man W. Mudgett, or, as he is better known,
II. II. Holmes, was tonight convicted o.
murder in the first degree for killing Ben.
jamin F. Pietzel in this city on September
2, 1894. The jury needed but one ballot to
reach this decision. The jury retired at
5:45 o'clock, at the conclusion of Judge
Arnolds charge.
After the retirement of the jury from
the courtroom the spectators streamed
out into the corridors and eagerly dis
cussed what the verdict would probably
be. There was considerable difference of
opinion, as many believed the common
wealth had not thoroughly established it's
case against Holmes, but the majority
were inclined to believe that the jury
would convict him.
At S:45 o'clock word was sent to Judge
Arnold that the jury was ready to return
the verdict. When Judge Arnold entered
the room there were 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 impassive as
ever as he took his seat. The Jury came in
and took their places and it needed but little
skill as a mind reader to know what the
word would be that the foreman would
pronounce. The court ordered Holmes to
arise and then in reply to the question of
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 must
have foreshadowed what his fate would
be, but the word Guilty" fell upon
Holmes with stunning force. He made no
outcry or exhibition of emotion OF any
kind-the blow was too stunning for
noisy outbreaks. He sat down and while
the jury was polled and each man an
swered to his name and as each pro-
nounced his sentence. Holmes stared va
cantly before him. His face was that of a
corpse. 1t was as absolutely expression
less as mask. Only a nervous twitching
of the eyelids and dilation of the eyes
showed that there was living, breathing
man that sat in the dock. AS the effect of
the shocks began to die away Holmes be-
gan to recover himself.
He realized that his attorney was max
ing motion for a new trial. His under
lip fell and he ran his tongue across ii,
and moistening and clasping his hands to-
gether he leaned forward to hear what the
Judge had to say.
The Judge said he would hear the mo-
ton for new trial on Monday, November
Is, and an expression of something like
hope broke across Holmes dull face.
Turning to the court officials he said in an
eager whisper, Monday, November 1872
These were the only words he uttered
Judge Arnold then expressed to Mr.. Rotan
and Mr.. Shoemaker his appreciation OF
how difficult their task had been. He
complimented them that they had been
able to make as good a show for the de-
fense as they did. He intimated that their
withdrawal from the case was device OF
the prisoner.
In manly, honest way Mr.. Rotan gave
the court to understand that their with
drawaI was no device of theirs, but was
done from a sincere conviction because
they believed 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 he
walked from the room with the quick
springy step that is natural to him. The
Judge thanked the jury for their attention