Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1901-09-28
CZOLGOST TRIAL Started
PLEAD GUILTY OF THE ACT.
Court Ordered the Flea Changed to
s.Not GuiIty"-TriaI In Supreme
Court of Erie COunty-Prisoner
Was Well observation-disclosures for
Defense Explained Position.

was placed on trial Monday for the MUIR
der of President Mckinley on September
6. The trial was in the supreme court of
Erie county, Judge Truman 0. White pre-
siding. The trial began at 10 o'clock, but
long before that hour the streets in the
vicinity of the city hall were the object
i've point of many curious persons. The
various entrances to the great building,
with the exception of that on Franklin
street, were closed and guarded. Squads
of policemen were stationed on every
landing and in a double line far inside
the place of entrance to keep back the
crowds, while in a station not far away
reserves were ready to reinforce the de-
tail on duty should the feelings of the
people become aroused to the extent of
rioting. Mounted officers paced slowly
around every side of the structure and
no one was allowed to stand on the side
walk for a moment, so that at no time
was the crowd large.
No one outside of the building saw the
prisoner as he was taken from his cell to
the courtroom. His guardians made use
of the tunnel of sobs," under the street
to the city hall, and Czolgosz was brought
into the courtroom only few moments
before the hour set for the opening of his
trial. No person was admitted to the
building without pass signed by the
chief of police, and it was necessary to
show this to every policeman on every
landing and in every corridor.
The officer at the door of the court
room was especially vigilant, and not only
examined the passes but scrutinized the
bearers critically before admitting them
to the room. The interior of the city hall,
as well as the outside, still bore the
somber draperies of mourning, and quiet
was enforced as beftting the occasion.
Counsel for Czolgosz, former SGpreme
Court Justice Loren L. Lewis, robert G.
Titus and Carleton E. Ladd, saw him
again before the time for the opening of
the court, but he had no more to say
to them than on previous occasions when
they had visited him. In view of the
meagerness of the opportunity for a de-
tense, and the fact that the prisoner re-
fuses absolutely to aid them, it is not inn
probable that the entire proceedings may
be completed within two days.
"Ihe mental condition of the assassin
will absolutely be the only defense to be
offered, are the words OF Judge Titus,
and there is no little expectation that the
counsel will publicly abandon the case
ana merely represent Czolgosz during the
trial. As a result of the examination by
two ahenists-Dr. Carlos T. Mcdonald
and Dir. Allan Mclean Hamilton of New
York city-the question of insanity is
eliminated from the subjects on which
the defense can rely for support.
He sat down behind MS counsel, with
two officers in plain clothes Immediately
in his rear. District Attorney Penny at
once began the reading of the indictment.
He spoke to Czolgosz in a low voice-in
fact SO low that when the prisoner was
asked to plead he seemed not to under
stand what had been said.
Justice White asked him: "What did
you say?"
There was moments hesitation Then
the prisoners lips moved as if to make a
reply, but before he could do so his Junior
counsel, Mr.. Lewis, arose TO speak, not
having seen the prisoners motion. Justice
White, however, insisted that Czolgosz
should speak, and the prisoner said:
81 did not hear what he said"
District Attorney Penny then read the
Indictment again in louder voice, and
to the demand for a reply the prisoner,
who was standing at the time, said, in a
very low voice: Guilty"
This plea was, however, not permitted
to stand under the law, and plea of mot
guilty was at once ordered by the court.
Mr.. Titus, counsel for the defense, then
arose and stated to the court the facts
already known as to his connection with
! the case. He explained that the position
of himself and his associates, Judge Lewis
and Mr. Ladd, was a peculiar one, and
consisted mainly in making sure that all
the forms of law and justice were OBJ
served in the prosecution.
Justice White in reply complimented
the counsel for the defense, and said that
the prisoner could have no better counsel,
and that, whatever the outcome, it would
reflect only credit and honor on them.
The examination and swearing in of the
jurors followed, the prisoner standing as
each was sworn.
Found Guilty.
Courthouse, Buffalo, Sept. 24.-The Jury