The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-10
FRANK B Zen: JAl !: |.
Put ON TRIAL
Great Difficulty il Procuring Coun-
sell Defend Him.
COUNSEL ASKS PROTECTION FEC 10.
The Commemorative Attorney Assist
cd In tho Prosccution-Thc States
Evidence Was Taken and the
Case VIII be Closed To-Day.

Z
Bcnjauin, charged With attempted 6imi-s
nal assault on Miss Alice Game in Hamp-
ton, Is in progress in the Elizabeth City
County Court, and will be completed to-
morrow. The morning was spent getting
h lawyer for the accused. In the after.
noon a jury was quickly emraneled and
tho States evidence all gotten in. The
defence will put on its witnesses in the
kooTning. 2 II
THE PROCEEDINGS.
When court convened at 10 o'clock the
room was crowded with interested spec
aators.
1t was an orderly crowd. ominously Or
tlerly; q crowd that was plainly awaiting,
Developments; crowd srirnlys certain
that Frank Benjamin was as good as
dead. His ultimate fate was not in
question. 1t was like an ante-n,ortem
examination. Some one suggested that
the prisoner had a strong case OF insan-s
lty or i1responsibiiity; but qualified the
suggestion with the remark that lnad-dogs
sou-ht TO be shot.
Commonwealth's Attorney z. T.. Mon
iague was promptly on hand. Present
also. to assist the Commonwealth. was
Marquis Jones, a friend Of the lady upon
whom the attempted assault was made
and Of Mr.. George Schmelz, at whose
home the crime was committed. He cx-s
p1usned TO the court that was In the case
because OF this friendship and for the
purpose OF seeing justice done. not for a
fee Associated with the CONFERENCE.-The
Attorney. too, was Captain j. a. Field,
respected colurcd lawyer, who volunteer
ed his services.
HIS PARENTS HELP HIM.
The prisoner was not represented.
though it was stated that his aged pa
rents had mortgaged their home and
raised $500 with which to employ counsel.
Eminent lawyers in Newport News and
Hampton were approached and asked to
take the case, but refused. Judge Lee
successively requested number of at
1orneyS TO act. ,asse,s
One after another they earnestly. asked
tto .be excused and were excused. Finally
his Honor, saying he never liked to try a
man not represented by counsel, asked
George w. Field, "a brother of Captain
Field. fon the other side, if he would take.
the case. After stating that he would
rather not Field at last consented out
of respect to the court, but stipulated that
The must be assisted by some one.
A messenger was sent ont after A. w.
f. Bassett, q colored 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
justice to his fellow-rnan.
J, COUNSEL ASKS PROTECTION.
In conclusion, he demanded that the
court protect him, especially during the
progress of the trial.. He did not specify
what it was he desired to be protected
against, but Elts demand was understood.
by this time it was 11:30 O'Clock. and
upon representation of the defence that
1t was impossible TO get at their wit
nesses sooner, his Honor adjourned court
until 2 O'Clock, being assured that the
trial would proceed after that Without
interruption.
While all. this was going on the pris-
oner was sitting by under the eye of the
Sheriff and an officer. His face was stolid
and iistless.
PRISONERS OLD MOTHER
Even when his old mother was brought
in and given a chair near him he did not
notice her. other than to shift his chair
SO he might not see her face Al wave
OF pity for the old VOL an swept over
the court-roen as she sat there wringing
eier hands constantly and moaning. The
prisoner alone was untouched by his
mothers Distress
Next to Miss Game, the central figure
In the case. among the witnesses is DR..
Htydl. the insanity expert, who passed
upon the mental and psychic condition
OF Louis August, the human monster,
WHO, recently condemned to death Tor an
nwdul murder, hanged himself in his cell.
There is little question of the mans
weak mindedness; he is like other brutes
In this respect.
The strike of the journeymen plumbers
was concluded this morning. the master
plumbers acceding to the demands OF
the men,. agreeing to give them nine
hour day, with the, same pay. three doll
lars. that they formerly got for a day
OF ten hours. BY way OF concession, the ]
journeymen agreed not to work for any
master plumber not in the Master
Plumbers Association.
NAVAL, COMMITTEE.
A telegram received at the shp-yard
this morning announces that the Com
r1iittec of Naval Affairs of the House,
which Will arrive from Washington in
the morning. will be ready 10 go aboard
the Kearsarge Tomorrow at ] O'clock
The United States Army transport Nc
Phtrson. which was toNted in disabled
not long ago, went out of dry-dock this 4
morning. The disabled steamer Tobascn
and the Norwegian fruit steamer Habil
went into dry-dock this afternoon, the
latter to be. painted before going into
the Norfolk-Jamaica fruit trade.
4 Tho Newport News Democratic Club
Will give a big banquet at the Casino
on the 30,h instant. number of
speakers from a distance Will be invited.