The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-10-29
THE TRIAL OF HOLMES.
Sensational Scenes in Judge Ar
nold's Court at Philadelphia.
HOLMES CONDUCTS his OWN CASE.

while 6psrring for O Postponement the
Prisoner Dismisses His CeunseI, who
WIN be Punished for Contempt for with
drawing from the Case.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct %. The trial OF ii.
ii. Holmes, the notorious insurance swim
dier and alleged murderer Of number Of
persons in various parts Of the country,
who was indicted here for the murder Of
Benjamin r. Pitezel In this city in the
summer OF 1894, began before Judge Ar
mold In the court of oyer and terminer
The prosecution Is conducted by District
Attorney George s. Graham, assisted by
Thomas w. Barlow as special counsel.
William A. Shoemaker and Samuel p.
Rotan were counsel for the defense.
Mr.. Shoemaker then asked for O continu-
ance OF the ease. He urged lack Of time.
which had hampsrsd the preparation Of
cases involved in this case" he urged,
land we have had only as much time as
would be adequate preparation on one"
Evidence, he continued, to be obtained not
only from distant points in this country,
but also from abroad, the defense had been
unable to procure in the short space OF
time left to them since the finding Of the
indictment. The prosecution had been
working on it's case for 800 days, while the
circumstances he felt justified in asking
for q continuance Of sixty days to give
them an opportunity to gather their wit
nesses. Many of these would present newly
discovered evidence Of such vital import
ance that Holmes would undoubtedly be
acquitted of this charge.
Mr.. Graham vigorously opposed post
ponement, and Mr.. Rotan as strongly
urged it, After listening to the arguments
TtIds Axsua al a
tinuance.
Mr.. Shoemaker and Mr.. Rotan then
created stir by saying in turn to the
court that IL the judges decision was ire
vocable they would withdraw from the
case, but Judge Arnold declared that q
member Of the bar who would withdraw
from murder CAGE on the eve of its trial
would be called upon to show cause why
ne should not be disbarred for unprofes-
sional conduct.
Judge Arnold then ordered the empan-
cling OF jury. One juror had been adj
mitted by the commonwealth when there
was another sensation. Holmes aroge in
the dock, and In high quayering voice
said to Judge Arnold
May 1t please the court, have no in
clination to continue with the trial of this
case with Mr.. Rotan and Mr.. Shoemaker
as my counsel, feeling that, In view of
their desire to withdraw, my interests
would be damaged / therefore discharge
them as my counsel"
"You cannot discharge them, Holiness"
answered Judge Arnold 'That is for the
court, and If they withdraw from this case
they will be punished
s'If," continued Holmes, his tones still
moro trembling, 'if your honor will give
me until tomorrow to secure additional
COUNSEL
1--WE will have no more debate, Mr..
Holmes The matter is decided,
The examination of jurors was about to
proceed when Mr. Shoemaker again arose
and stated that the prisoner absolutely for
babe them from representing him in the
case, and declared that he (Holmes)
would examine the jurors and witnesses
himself.
Judge Arnold said he would permit
Holmes to question the jurors If he so de-
sired.
Then Holmes himself took up the exam
nation of jurors, and peremptorily chal-
lenged the first one. The second one he
accepted.
Shoemaker declared that they felt obliged
to withdraw from the case regardless of
consequences.
You must take the consequences, then"
said the judge, and the two lawyers, with
out further ado, left the court room.
The services of Everett ]. Schofield and
]. M. Fahy, young members of the bar
were offered to Holiness but he refused
their services, and asked for days post
ponement In order that he might see Mr..
r. o. Moon. The judge, however, again
refused postponement, and Holmes re-
summed his cross examination Of talesmen,
showing marked ability.
Finally, shortly before noon, a jury was
selected, as follows; Foreman, Andrew
Herte1, shoemaker; Robert Chambers,
carter; Robert ]. Kincade, florist; Samuel
Wood, manufacturer; Richard johnson,
painter; Lewis Reese, farmer; William p.
Hansell, wagon builder, James Kenney,
foreman; Linford Biles paymaster; Thomas
Sloan, driver; John j. Smith, engineer;
George ID. Clash, soap maker.
After a two hours recess District Attor-
ney Graham began his opening address to
the jury. He declared that he had CON
yincing proof that Holmes had murdered
Benjamin +. Pitezel.
At the conclusion of MFR. Grahnrn's adj
dress Holmes addressed tho court, asking
that he be allowed to have lighted cell
during the evening and night; that he be
provided with writing materials, and that
he be allowed to see his wife-the one
known in this case as Miss Yohe. The dis
trict attorney declared that the woman de-
clined to see him, and 1t was finally ar
ranged that he should write to her Judge
Arnold promised Ae prisoner all the OPP
portunities he required in preparing his