Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-08
BRETT ALLEGED
TOBE MENTALLY
IRRESPONSIBLE
Insanity Is Alleged in Court
by Convicted Attorneys
Counsel
WITNESSES ARE CALLED
Petition in Lunacy Is Prepar-
ed by Members of His
Family
PROCEEDINGS II A 1t E ID
Disbarment Charges Held Up
Until Lunacy Charges Are
Disposed OF
PROCEEDINGS HALTED

Alleging that from information he
has received from the family the
mental condition of Harry NJ. Brett,
bankrupt attorney, is such that he
cannot be present in court to de-
fend or to aid i'll defending himself,
Oscar G.. Wickersham, his counsel,
succeeded in having the disbar-
ment proceedings against the lawyer
continued until this afternoon when
witnesses are to be called to show
these facts.
Hearing of testimony TO prove the
charges made by the committee OF
the Dauphin County Bar Association
in the petition to disbar Mr.. Brett
was to have started at 10 o'clock this
morning. When President Judge
kunkel asked if the respondent
l}retZ-was in court Mr.. Wickersham
announced Mr.. Bretz could not be
present, but that he, as counsel for
the attorney. was willing to so on
with the hearing. although his client
was not able physically 10 be in
court and so mentally deranSed that
il would not do, any good TO have
him here
Insanity Alleged
Mr.. Wickersham also stated TO the
court that he had Il petition signed
by Mrs Sarah a. Brett, asking for
a commission in lunacy 10 examine
Mr. Bretz and determine his sanity.
but said he did not want to present
it at the time because of the pro-
ceedings pending before the court.
! .ater Mr.. Wickersham read the pc
tition but did not submit it when
the court continued the hearing un-
iii this afternoon and directed him to
call witnesses to show BretZs men
tai condition.
Judge Kunkel said that the hear
ing would not be held if it was shown
that the defendant in the case was
not OF sound mind and for that rea-
son could not assist in preparing his
defense, should his counsel ask to
have such action taken. No motion
to that effect was made, however.
TO Call Witnesses
William NJ. Hahn, Arthur II. Hun
and John Fox Weiss. three of the five
members of the Bar Association COM
mittee who presented the disbar-
ment petition. conferred together for
Il few minutes and finally Mr. Hahn
said to the court that the committee
did not want to take any advantage
of the defendant or prevent calling
witnesses to show his mental condi-
tion. He stated. too. that the COM
mittee would be satisfied with a Ger
Itificate or staten ent from a reputa BILE
physician.
MIR. Wickersham when asked whom
he would call as witnesses and how
soon he could get them replied that
Mrs. Brett. two daughters. Il min
lister. physician and another men,
ber of the bar who is we'll acquaint-
ed with Mr. Bretz. probably would
he sent to the witness stand.
Proceedings Continued
After a short argument between
Mr.. Weiss and Mr. Wickersham the
latter finally agreed to call witnesses
at the afternoon court session and
Judge kunkel said that if necessary
these should be subpoenaed.
Pending a decision as to Bretz's
condition the disbarment proceed
ings We're continued. but the wit
nesses to be called by the Bar AS
sociation committee were directed to
attend the session this afternoon.
Wife Tcstifies
Mrs. Sarah A. Bretz. wife of the
attorney, was the first witness called
She said that since last September
his demeanor had undergone a
marked change; that frequently he
displayed fits of temper, and on oc-
casions follows her about their home
asking whether he may do anything
Tor her. She was of the impression
hat he does not consider he has done
anything wrong. At times. she said
ms manner is almost childish