The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-05
ROBBER KINDLY TREATED
COURT ORDERS HIM HELD TILL HE
CAN SECURE EMPLOYMENT.
De Hass Had Held Up P~eopIe-The
states Expert witness
leare Him.

An unusual incident happened in the
Criminal Court yesterday in the trial of
Frank de Hass. charged with robbery, when
the States chief expert witness went on
the stand and made put a clear defense for
the prisoner. De Hass is the young man
who perpetrated a number of sensational
'hold-ups' on Blackboard street in broad
daylight on March 10, last. The robberies
took place about noon and at a time when
several people were on the street. De Hass
met a man, and, drawing a pistol, ordered
the pedestrian to give up his watch. There
was some argument before the man con-
sented, but he finally handed over his time
piece De Hass next held up a blind man
and robbed him Of 10 cents. However, when
he learned the man was blind, he gave him
back 3 cents The next man De Hass met
he took a ring away from him. The victim
protested, and declared that the ring had
been given to him by a young lady. On
hearing this. the highwayman handed back
the ring. About this time a policeman came
UP and De Hass was arrested. He was
bound over to the grand jury and sent TO
Jail from Police Court. Soon after being
taken to Jail the man began to act queerly.
On che occasion. while at the table eating,
he poured his coffee into a cup of molasses
and then rubbed the mixture on his hair.
Soon after this a commission declared him
insane, and he was sent to the Central Hos
pital. where he remained about four weeks.
Some time ago he was discharged as cured,
but was promptly rearrested and sent back
TO Jail. The grand jury had indicted him
on the charge Of robbery, and the author
tiles. concluding that he had feigned in
sanity to avoid punishment, were deter
mined to try him.
The case was called for trial in the Grim
iral Court yesterday. and Charles p. Bene-
dict. attorney for the poor, appeared for
the prisoner. The attorney entered a special
plea of insanity in behalf of his client. and
had prepared to introduce some expert testi-
mony. This was made unnecessary. how
er, who was put on as an expert by the
State. Prosecuting Attorney Pugh pro-
witness I'm which he recited the Incidents
connected with De Hass's bold performance
on Blackford street and his subsequent COM
the conclusion of the question, DR.. Fletcher
replied thai he thought De Hass must have
commission Of his crimes. Very little is
known of De Hass's history. Prosecuting
Attorney Pugh talked to the prisoner at
case. De Hass told Mr.. Pugh that ne re-
nothing about the robberies. He
said that on the day before his alleged acts
were committed he bought a ticket to Louis
vile In st. Louis. He could not tell what
he did after buying the ticket. The next
he knew he was in the Central Hospital for
the Insane.
The jury which heard the evidence in the
De Hass case was out but a few minutes
before a verdict was reached. The verdict
was to the effect that De Hass was insane
at the time he committed the robberies
with which he was charged. Judge Afford
instructed the sheriff to return the man TO
Jail and hold him until he could either COM
municate with his relatives and get assist
city.