Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-10-29
HOLMES ON TRIAL.
Postponement Denied Counsel With
draws--HoImes Conducts Case.
Cool as Cue Imber He Spars for Points With
Prosecuting Attorney.

fhlladelphla. Oct. IS When the
Holmes trial was called, this morning, tht
counsel for the defence asked for Il contin
uance OF 90 days on the ground that they
were not prepared to go on. Judge Arnold
oVerruled the motion, whereupon the de
fendant's lawyers, Shoemaker and Rotan,
withdrew. The case was then resumed
Holmes conducting his own defence.
AT the afternoon session, District At
torney Graham outlined the case to the
jury His opening address was forcible,
but his denunciations Of Holmes, at times
particularly severe, had no outward effect
upon the accused. Homes' composnre
was wonderful, and during the nara i've
ne Dusied himself in taking copious note:
OF the prosecuting officers address.
Mr. Graham stated that under the in
dictment and providing the evidence
should warrant it, it would be possible
for the jury to find vertlicts either OF
granddaughter, Of murder in the second
degree or murder in the first degree, or
acquittal. He declared that he would ask
for verdict of first degree murder.
The district attorney went into the
story OF Pietzei's death and the incidents
connected Herewith at great length. He
told OF the conspiracy agains: the Fidelity
Mutual Life Association; of the collection
OF $40, 600 insurance thel efrom on Pet
zels life, minus about 1885 which the
company withheld for expenses; of Mrs.
pietzel securing about $500 Of the sum,
s25OO having been paid Lawyer Howe
and the balance secured by Holmes.
The opening address covered about
nhnSn Of hn
attorney occupied an hour and half in
its delivery. He concluded by expressing
the belief that the prisoner would be con
victed as indicted
The court ordered an adjournment at
the conclusion of the address, but before
this was announced by the crier, Holmes
arose and asked Judge Arnold to instruct
the prison authorities to place him in o
lighted cell and have him supplied with
writing material. The Judge replied that
this would be attended to. Holmes pur-
pose is evidently to work far into the
night on his own case.
The accused asked if he could send to
Fort Worth, Tex, for certain papers "A
witness by the name of Samuels,'' Holmes
continued, lis coming here to identify o
note. If Samuels has not got two notes
for S16,0 l would ask that he get
them
The district attorney stated that he had
the notes In question, and would produce
them. Holmes requested that he be given
a list OF all the witnesses subpGnacd in the
case, but Graham refused to accede to
this. Holmes asked for copies of the con
'piracy and murder Indictments found
against him, and the judge directed thar
they be given to him.
Holmes said he desired to have an in
ferview with his wife, whereupon Mr..
Graham, who referred to Holmes alleged
nigamy in his opening address, replied
(Which wife do you mean
II mcan,' retorted the prisoner, ''the
lady whom you designated as Miss Yobe,
md by so doing, you cast slur upon her
IS upon myself.
Holmes stated that Miss Yohc'' was
his legal wife. Graham told Holmes that
the lady did not want to see him; she told
1im so in his Graham 81 presence The
accused declared that the district attorney
had intercepted his wifes attentions to
him, but this Graham denied, and the
court coincided with the prosecuting
officer.
Finally Holmes asked that a note BE-
sent to his wife. and a reply received
which shall not be sent by the district
,ttorney." The court granted the re
quest. Holmes wanted to have messen
ger other than court attache deliver the
missive, but Judge Arnold stated that the
sworn court attache was eminently trust
worthy.
The court adjourned until 10 A. NJ, to
morrow After adjournment Judge Arnold
stated that he would not press the case for
dsbarrment against Messrs. Shoemaker
and Rotan, in view of the fact that
Holmes had refused counsel and would
conduct his own case