Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-10
NEWPORT NEWS
Frank Benjamin Put on Trial For
His Life.
Charged With Assaultins Trained Nurse
From Norfolk-Troublo Encountered in
Securing a Lawyer to Defend Prisoner
Plumbers Strike Ended.
Especial to The virginian-Pilot.)

Especial to The VtrSinian-Pilot.)
Newport News Va, March 9.-When
the Elizabeth City County Court con-
vcned at Hampton ut 10 o'clock this
morning the room was crowded with
interested spectators. 1t was an order
ly crowd, omniously orderly; q crowd
that was plainly awaiting developments
"a crowd grimly certain that Frank
Benjamin was as good as dead His
ultimate fate was not in question. 1t
was like an ante-mortem examination
Some one suggested that the prisoner
had Il strong case OF insanity or ire
sponsibility, but qualified the sugges-
ton with the remark that mad dogs
ought to be shot.
Commemorative Attorney L. E. Mon
tague was promptly on hand Present,
also, to assist the Commonwealth was
Marvus Jones, a friend OF the lady upon
whom the attempted assault was made
and of Mr.. George Schemlz, at whose
home the crime was committed. He ex-
planned to the Court that he was in the
case because of this friendship, and for
the purpose of seeing justice done: not
for Il fee. Associated with the Com
monwealth's Attorney, too, was Cap
tain j. y. Field, n respected old colored
lawyer, who volunteered his services
LAWYERS DECLINED FEE.
The prisoner was not represented,
though IL was stated that his aged pa
rents had mortgaged their home and
raised $500 with which to employ coun-
sci. Eminent lawyers in Newport News
and Hampton We're approached and
asked to take the case, but refused
Judge Lee successfully requested a
number of attorneys to act. One after
another they earnestly asked to be ex-
cused and were excused. Finally his
honor. saying he never liked to try Il
man not represented by counsel asked
George w. Field, brother of Captain
Field, on the other side, if he would
take the case. After stating that he
would rather not, Field at last consent
cd. out of respect to the Court, but stip-
ulated that he must be assisted by some
one. y messenger was sent out after
A. Nv. IL. Bassett. n colorcd lawyer and
school teacher, who came in and agreed
to take the case, after addressing the
Court to the effect that he condemned
the crime, and was acting only because
the Court requested him to, and out of
a sense of justice to his fellow-man.
In conclusion, he demanded that the
Court protect him, especially during the
progress of the trial. He did not spe-
city what it was he desired to be pro-
tected against. but his demand was I'M
| derstood.
| BY this time 1t was 11:30 O'Clock, and
upon representation of the defense that
1t was impossible to get their witnesses
sooner. his honor adjourned court until
. o'clock being assured that the trial
would proceed after that without inter
ruDtlon.
THE PRISONER
While all this was going on, the pris-
oncr was sitting uneasily by under the
eye of the Sheriff and an officer. 1t
required no expert to take his mental
measure: the fact translated the man
with single expressive word-brute
| It Is q face void of n trace of intelli-
| sence. but eloquent of instinct-a low,
| cating forehead, above eyes that
| set far back in the head under brOws
| that meet above a nose, Roman, rather
| than Philippians; mouth constantly
open; lower Jaw hanging lazily; lips
| abnormally thick, almost concealing a
| chin that is practically no chin at all.
This face is in front of narrow. head.
surmounted by short, woolly hair and
supported by n neck suggestive of
| length. emphasized by the absence of
collar. He shifted about constantly in
| his seat, shutting his mouth occasion
| ally. once rising to his feet, as though
| thinking he had been called upon to
| stand for arrangement. But his stare,
| as it wandered about the courtroom
hItcd With angry people, and rested
| upon the attorneys just across the ta-
| BILE, presently to ask a jury of twelve
men to break his neck. was stolid and
! listless. Ills manner was as unemo-
| tional as that of an OK, led into n
| slaughter house to be butchered.
HIS AGED MOTHER.
Even when his old mother was