The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-10-29
PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
Holiness Method OF Examining Tales
men and Dismissal of Counsel.

Holiness Method of Examining Tales
men and Dismissal of Counsel.
The proceedings of the day. as given In
detail. are interesting. The witnesses
brought from Indianapolis, Canada and
other places were escorted into court shortly
before 10 O'Clock by detective Frank Geyer,
whose travels throughout the United States
in search for evidence against Holmes
have been from time to time published.
There will be some gruesome exhibits intro
duced i'm evidence during the progress of the
trial. Among these are the skull and parts
of the body of the elder Pietzel, the charred
remains of his youngest son. Howard Piet-
Eel, who is thought TO have been murdered
by Holmes in Irvington. Ind, and the stove
in which they were found in the cottage i'm
that suburb of indianapolis.
When the attorneys for the defense had
arrived, Mr.. Graham, for the prose-
cution, instantly asked that the case pro-
! ceed. Holmes was then ordered to rise and
was formally told of his right to challenge
| jurors. Mr.. Shoemaker asked for contin-
uance of the case. He urged the lack of
| time for the preparation of the defense.
There are three homicide cases involved
| in this case,' he urged, "and we have had
| only as much time as would be adequate
| preparation on one" 1t was expected to
present newly discovered evidence of such
vital Importance that Holmes would un-
| doubtedly be acquitted of this charge.
| Mr. Graham protested against the grant
| ing of a continuance, which, he sad would
| mean the absolute destruction of the Com
monwealths case. Mr. Graham dwelt on
| the severe strain under which Mrs. Pietzel
| has been put. and said an examination into
! her mental condition made Ii apparent that
were q, continuance granted the Common
wealth would lose its most important wit
ness.
Mr.. Rotan. Of the defense. renewed, the
plea for respite. but II was, overruled by
| Kotan created a mild sensation by saying
that if the Judges decision was irrevocable
| they would Withdraw from the case, but
| Judge Arnold spoiled this by declaring that
a member of the bar who would withdraw
from murder case on the very eve of its
! trial would be called on to show cause why
| he should not be disbarred for unprofes-
| s.onal conduct. The prisoners counsel did
| not appear anxious to accept this alterna-
| tive. but before they could reply Mr.. Gra-
money Is concerned he said, II have posi-
| tive knowledge that large sums Of money
were offered within the last week to promi-
nent attorneys at this bar to come into the
| case as associate counsel for the defense,
showing that there are funds at hand
call jury. said Judge Arnold ..,,
| Twill you permit the case TO &c over till
| tomorrow morning" pleaded Mr.. Rotan.,
and the calling of jury was begun.
| DISCHARGED HIS COUNSEL.
one juror had been admitted by the Com
| monwealth when there was another sensa-
tion. Holmes arose in the dock, and. in a
! quavering voice, said to Judge Arnold:
| MAY it 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
sYou cannot discharge them, Mr.
! Holmes.Y answered Judge Arnold THAT
is for the court, and If they withdraw
from this case they will DC punished.
| more tremulous, your Honor will give me
until tomorrow to secure additional coun-
| sell
I'VE will have no more debate, Mr.
Holmes: the matter is decided said the
Judge, who did not permit the prisoner to
finish his sentence.
proceeded with when Mr.. Shoemaker again
| arose and stated that the prisoner abso-
| lutely forbade 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 while counsel considered the ques-
| tion of their proceeding. Holmes armed
| himself with pencil and paper and Enoch
| Turner the first juror. was turned over To
stated, in answer to Mr.. Graham, that he
| had formed an opinion in the case. but that
ne could nevertheless ,s try 1t acc according to
] prising queries: ..Mr. Turner. are you a
married man? Are you physically well?
| Are you in a condition to serve in this
| case without delaying it? Receiving sat
| isfactory answers. he took up the question
! OF having formed an opinion, and chal-
| lenged peremptorily. The next man, Fred
| erick Slump, sr.. grocer, had formed no
| opinion and was accepted both by Mr.
| Graham and by Holmes.
| At this juncture Messrs. Rotan and Shoe
| maker arose and declared that they felt
| obliged TO withdraw from the case regard
| less of consequences.
'sYou must take the consequences then"
| said the Judge. and the two lawyers, with
| out further ado left the court room.
: Still determined TO have no delay, how
| ever, the Commemorative officers consulted
| with the Judge. and then called on Everett
| bers of the bar, who agreed to assume the
| grave responsibility, with all the aid pos
sible from Mr.; Graham Holmes. however.
| objected on the ground that as he knew
| nothing OF these gentlemen he did not care
| to intrust his life TO them. "As far as aid
| from Mr.. Graham is concerned he add
| ed. with unveiled bitterness, 81 have had
| abundant proof in the past year what prom
| ises of aid from the district attorney 5
| Office means. MAY be allowed a post
tenement to-mOTfOW, 10 see Mr.. X. %.
| Mvon who is already familiar with the
| case and whom / know / can engage"
do you then refuse to allow these gen.
| tlemen to defend your"
al do sir. If / am not allowed the con-
| tinuance until tomorrow must ask to try
| the case myself.
We'll. we will go on to-day said the
| judge, land We will see about your engag-
| ing Mr. Moon later on.
HOLMES QUESTIONS JURORS.
| The examination of jurors was then re-
sumed Holmes continued questioning them
as they came up. His words. which en-
| braced the usual technical questions were
we'll chosen. He listened TO District Attor-
new Grahams formal inquiries with the
keenest interest. an almost imperceptible
| flush relieving the pallor of the cheek. Be-
| sides the usual questions as to whether
| or not Jurors had formed any opinion as
| 10 the guilt or innocence of the prisoner
| scruples against capital punishment.
Holmes also asked: Have you visited tho
dime museum at Ninth and Arch streefsY'
The reason for this question was the fact
that there has been on exhibition in the
museum for some weeks a wax counter
part of Holmes. ''the mulfi-murderer" as
he Is there called. together with models
| of the Irvington, Ind, house and the Chi
| cago castle" All who had seen these were
perempforily challenged by Holmes
At the. suggestion OF Mr.. Graham. the
| prisoner also asked each man whether or
not he had read the book called ssT4oIs,, . = =