The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-01-24
SPIRITED
T0COURT
DESPITE
Threats
Schmitt Pleads Behind
Locked Doors; Trial Starts
at $50 Thursday

81 don't want q lawyer. am
guilty"
With thesc words John
Schmitf, confessed murderer d
City Detective Jimmy" O'Bricn
and Pztrolman w. r. Angle an
nounced his determination u
face speedy Justice when he was 4
ararigned before Judge J. r.
Ronald, at 1e:s0 this afternoon.
You are charged with first de-
gree murder. DO you understand
that,' Judge Ronald asked.
''Yes. sir" the prisoner said.
"You will have 10 have a lawyer.
You will have to 20 TO trial." Judge
Ronald informed him. Then, turn
ing 10 n group OF people standing
about the courtroom. the judge said:
Mr.. Silvain. will you take this
young mans casc?'
Louis Silvain nodded.
WOULD TEAR HIM TO
PIECES" A WOMAN SAID
Il appoint you this mans attor-
ney You will represent him"
Al ll:30 this morning word was
passed TO Sheriff Starwich to have
the prisoner in court at 1880. A
crowd OF spectators was gathered in
the corridors outside of Judge Ron
aids courtroom. Members Of the
crowd freely expressed their opinion
that the trial should not be longer
delayed. One elderly woman. who
said she had known Jimmy O'Brien
for tho past 13 years. said: Il would
like TO get a chance at him; I'D tear
him 10 pieces. When do you think
they'll bring him up?" She was told
the arraignment had been postponed
until tomorrow. and she left the
building.
AT l3 o'clock deputies began to
leave the sheriff's office In the coun-
ty-city building. one at a time. for
the county Jail. Last 70 leave was
Sheriff Starwich. He Joined the
others I'm the basement and, with
Deputy William Sears at the steer.
ing wheel. an automobile carrying
Starwich. Herbert Beebe. Charles
Jcrrett and Bin Downey arrived at
the county Jail at 1910.
NOT FEELING VERY
WELL. SAYS PRISONER
Starwich said. Bring him out"
Schmitt was led from his cell by
Downey. Both the prisoners hands
were manacled. Starwich took off
the handouts and snapped on pair
OF his own. The party clambercd
into the automobile and sped down
the hill. They got into an ele-
vator in the basement and took the
prisoner to the fourth floor. There
they got out and led him down tho
back stairway to the third floor and
into the Jail room back of Judge
Ronald's court. Here the handcuffs
were taken off and word sent in to
the judge that they were ready.
How do you feel?" Starwich asked
Schmitt.
Not very WELL" replied the pris-
oner.
The outside door of Judge Ronald's
court was locked. barring a large
crowd that had gathered outside.
Schmitt was led in, flanked by the
deputies. Judge Ronald had already
taken the bench. Without delay he
asked. els your name Schmitt?"
Yes. sir. replied the prisoner. The
court then appointed Attorney Sil.
vain to defend the man, and the infor.
nation was read charging him with
the crime of first degree murder for
the killing OF Detective O'Brien. while
Schmitt stood with his cap in his
hand. looking at the floor.
As Schmitt stood facing the judge.
the courtroom door was opened into
the corridor. and about so people
flocked into the room. They drew up
close TO the Gordon of deputies and
strained their ears for every word.
LAWYER ASKS FOR
TIME WITH CLIENT
Assistant Prosecutor Jones read
the information, naming as one OF
the witnesses for the state Police
man w r Angle. who died from a
wound inflicted by Schmitt.
Schmitt went thru the proceedings
calmly. After Silvain was appoint,
ed, the lawyer said. Il should like to
have time. Your Honor, TO talk to
my client a few minutes to inform
lTnru IN Para , CoIurur n