Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-13
He Intended to
 Kill Roosevelt
SCHRANK PLEADS GUILTY AND
 MAKES STATEMENT
ALIENIsTs APPOINTED
Court Names Five to Ascertain Prison CTS Mental Condition-New Law Avoids Contradiction of Experts.

Milwaukee, Nov. 12.-John Schrank who pleaded guilty today to an at tempt to murder Theodore Roosevelt, did not receive the quick disposition of his case he had looked for. Instead of being sentenced, Municipal Judge Backus appointed five alienists to act as part of his court in determining the Would-be slayers mental condition The courts action was the first such practiced in Wisconsin criminal pro- cedure.
 Eliminates Fight of Medical Experts.
 T have determined" said the court, upon this course because of the GUS tomary condition evoked by jury trials of sanity. 1 have noted in such trials the medical witnesses for the prosecu- tion are matched by medical witnesses for the defense in contradictory opin- ions that leave the lay minds of the court and the jury more confused than before, and at huge expense.
 The law gives me power to deter mine for myself. But I have summon ed you gentlemen to be physicians of court, to examine the defendant, Schrank, and report on his mental condition, regardless of the result"
 Schrank Pleads Guilty.
 "Hew do you plead to this charger" the prosecutor asked the prisoner, standing at his elbow
 Why, guilty, MT. Zabel," replied the prisoner in a confused way, as though he was not sure he was following the proper procedure.
 You have heard the complaint" in terrupted Judge Backus in a loud voice. You understand that in 1t you are charged with having attempted to murder Theodore Roosevelt? Do you plead guilty or not guilty?'
 Shot Him as a Warning
 T did not mean to kill a citizen, judge" began Schrank T shot Theo- dore Roosevelt because he was a menace to the country. He should not have a third term. It is bad that a man should have a third term I did not want him to have one I shot him as a warning that men must not try to have more than two terms as presi- dent.
 I shot Theodore Roosevelt te kill him. I think all men trying to keep themselves in office should be killed they become dangerous. I did not do it because he was a candidate of the III. he concluded.
 "The man Is insane" said the dis trict attorney. Tt would be wrong to sentence him for a crime if he was mentally unsound, just because he was willing to plead guilty"
 Roosevelt Won't Be Summoned.
 James G. Flanders, a leading Mil waukee attorney, appointed to repre- sent Schrank In the sanity inquisition, had two brief talks with his client to- day. Asked if Theodore Roosevelt would be summoned by Schrank. At torney Flanders said 1t was-not likely, as there probably was little light Col onel Roosevelt could throw on the present mental condition of his assail- ant.
 Will Be Held Till He Recovers.
 The procedure will be that. if Schrank be found mentally unsound he, standing beneath a plea of guilty of attempted murder, will be held as an insane criminal until he has recov- cred, if he does recover, when the pun tshment, based on his plea, will be named by the court of concurrent Jurisdiction, just as though there had not passed an interim in which Sehrank was held as insane. Cannot Escape Penalty of Ills Crime
 The court made it clear that the as- sailant of the former president would net, by the sanity commissions finding be in 8 position to escape sentence under his plea of guilty, or sentence under a jury determination if at a fu- ture date, sanity having been restored Schrank should demand a jury trial and be found guilty. If found insane the defendant will remain a ward of the court.