The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1901-09-27
TRIAL STARTED
Court Ordered the Plea Changed t.
s-Not Gutlty"-Trial In supreme
Court Ut Erie Ceunty-t'risoner
Mas Well Protected-Attornes fur
Defense Explained Position.

/
Defense Explained Position.
Buffalo, Sept. 24.-Leon +. Czolgosa
was placed ON trial Monday for the muir
J der OF President Mckinley ON September
; q The trial was in the supreme court o.
Erie county, Judge Truman Q. White pre-.
J 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 double line far inside
the place of entrance to keep back the
crowds, while in station not far away
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 moment, so that at no time
was the crowd large.
No one outside OF the building saw the
prisoner as he MAS 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 serutinized 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 betting the occasion.
Counsel for Czoigosz, former Supreme
Court Justice Loren l.. Lewis, tooert e.
Titus and Carleton f. Ladd, saw him
again before the time for the opening OF
the court, but he had no more to say
10 them than on previous occasions when I
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, ii is not inn
probable that the entire proceedings may
be completed within Two days.
THE mental condition OF the assassin
viii 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 ease
and merely represent Czolgosz during the
trial. As a result of the examination by
two alienists-Dr. Carlos I. Mcdonald
md Dr. Allan Mclean Hamilton Of New
York city--the question OF insanity Is
Eliminated from the subjects on which
he defense can rely for support
He sat down behind MS counsel. with
wo officers in plain clothes Immediately
n his rear. District Attorney Penny at
nee began the reading of the Indictment
He spoke to CzoIgosz in low voiee-in
act so low that when the prisoner was
sked to plead he seemed not TO under
tand what had been said.
Justice White asked him: What did
-ou say.v
There was a moments hesitation. Then
he prisoners lips moved - ii to make a ,
eply, but before he could do so his junior ,
ounsel, Mr.. Lewis, arose 10 speak, not
aving seen the prisoners motion. Justice
White, however, insisted that czolgosz /,
houId speak, and the prisoner said:
II did not hear what he said.
District Attorney Penny then read the I
Indictment again in louder voice. and
D the demand for a reply the prisoner, !,
tho xas standing at the time, said, in !.
cry low voice: Guilty
This plea was, however, not permitted
, stand under the law. and plea OF mot :
utility" was at cnce ordered by the court.
Mr. Titus, counsel for the defense, then
rose and stated to the court the facts
ready known as to his connection with !
re ease. He explained that the position y
himself and his associates. Judge Lewis
I'd Mr.. Ladd, was a peculiar one, and
insisted mainly in making sure that all ),
lie forms Of law and justice we're OBJ y
rived in the prosecution. - -
Justice White in reply eomplimented
e counsel for the defense, and said that =
e prisoner could have no better counsel. !. :,
ID that, whatever the outcome, it would =
fleet only credit and honor on them. ~
The examination and swearing in Of the ~ ,
rors followed. the prisoner standing as .
ch was sworn. !,
Quick Judgment. RI