Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1895-11-23
SEEKS A NEW TRIAL.
Holme q Lawyers Make Argument
in His Behalf
Belief That tho Motion win BE Denied
One of His Attorneys Held to An
swer Charge of Suborna-
tiop of Perjury.

tiNp OF Perjury.
Philadelphia, Nov. 19.-The argu-
ment for a new trial in the case of the
convicted murderer, Holmes, was heard
Monday morning in the criminal court
before Judge Arnold, who tried the
case. Like all the phases of this sim
gular case, this ordinarily routine pro-
cedure furnished sensation. Holmes
was brought from prison to the court.
The weeks of confinement since his
conviction have added to the emaciation
that was so marked when he was in
court before. He has also lost the easy
look of confidence that he wore during
his trial, and although he was composed
his anxiety was plainly visible.
The sensation was furnished by Mr..
Shoemaker, one of Holmes counsel.
Mr.. Shoemaker presented an affidavit
from u witness purporting to be named
Blanche Hannigan. In the affidavit
the witness swears that she kept n cigar
store on Callowhil street. near tho
house where Pitzel was killed, and that
she knew the dead man, and that
he told her that he intended to commit
suicide. District Attorney Graham
asked that the witness be called to the
stand, and Mr.. Shoemaker replied that
he did not know where she was.
Then Mr.. Graham called private de-
tective named Swetzler to the stand.
The detective testified that Shoemaker
weeks ago had written out the affidavit
and given him $40 to pay some one to
swear to it. Then Detective Geyer was
called, and he testified that Swetzler
had shown him the affidavit before it
was signed. Then woman was called
TO the stand who said she was the
blanche Hannigan" who signed the af-
fidavit.
She swore that she knew nothing
about the statements in the affidavit.
Her name, instead of being Hannigan,
was Rhea, and she is the matron in the
Fourth police district. 1t was at the
suggestion of Detective Geyer that she
went with Swetzler to Shoemaker and
impersonated blanche Hannigan."
Shoemaker gave her $50 and took her
before notary public and she swore to
| the statement.
This astonishing testimony that
seemed to clearly point to a perjured
affidavit evidently surprised the court,
and when Shoemaker attempted to
make some confused statement Judge
Thayer suggested to him that his great
est safety lay in silence. Mr.. Rotan,
Holmes other attorney, stated to the
court that he knew nothing of the affi
davit, and then he began the argument
Tor a new trial.
AS Mr.. Rotan proceeded it became
evident from the questions of the court
that the application for a new trial
would be refused.
Mr.. Graham reviewed the contentious
set up by the defense and, step by step,
| demolished them and in q manner that
was absolutely conclusive, shed a flood
of convincing light upon Holmes guilt.
The argument consumed the entire
day, and the court reserved it's decision,
but from the questions asked by the
judges it seems certain new trial will
be refused.
At the conclusion of the argument
Judge Thayer, speaking fer the court,
said they would give the case their
gravest consideration. Then, turning
to Mr.. Shoemaker, the judge said: II
regret that 1 now have very disagree
able duty to perform toward you, a
member of this bar and an attorney OF
this court. In view of the developments
of this morning and the testimony of
the witnesses whom you have heard
concerning the use you attempted to
make of the affidavit you procured, the
court feels it to be it's duty, no other
path being left open, to hold you in
$1,000 bail to answer the charge of
subornation of perjury, and in default
of bail to stand committed"
Court was then adjourned and bail
was entered at the side bar, Milton
Jackson, Shoemaker's father-in-law,
becoming the bondsman. Judge Ar
mold stated privately that the court
was contemplating disbaIment pro-
ceedings. but nothing would be done in
that regard until after the disposition
of the charge. Mr.. Shoemaker declined
10 be interviewed. He said that the blow
was very cruel and very sudden one
and he felt that his whole future hung
in the balance, but he would not discuss
it at this time.