whenHolmes Holmes went Case. to his house, and 181 that An Analysis of the but there was no evidence as to the time he used it. Holmes asked the physician : — "Question. Was there any trace of liquor, by which I mean anything in the way of any kind of stimulants in the stomach? "Answer. It did not show it, because the odor of chloroform was more prominent than any liquor could be, and the quantity is too small for that. "Question. If this man had taken into his stomach within an hour prior to his death, a wine-glass full of liquor . . . would it not have been in the stomach at that time — cer tain traces of it ) "Answer. Well, it diffuses very rapidly in the stomach." It is to be remembered that the doctor's examination of the body was made two days after the death and that decomposition had already set in. But that Pitezel was drunk and therefore easily to be chloroformed was shown by Holmes' further questions : "Question. From the condition of the stomach and other organs, are you prepared to say, that at the time this man died he was not in an insensible condition from drink; say one-half hour before his death? "Answer. No. There was not enough liquor in his stomach to cause alcoholism or alcoholic poison. "Question. I wish to repeat that question. From the conditions you found in this b<xly, in his stomach or other organs, are you pre pared to give a professional opinion to the effect that one-half hour before he died or at the time of his death, he was not in an in sensible condition from the excessive use of alcohol? "Answer. I can say truthfully his stomach did not so indicate." These questions and the emphatic manner in which they were put and repeated con vinced every one who heard them that Pitezel was drunk on Sunday morning, September 2,
Holmes then killed Pitezel with chloroform. Holmes had been partially educated as a physician, but did not graduate. He knew about poisons, he had kept a drug store, he could write prescriptions, and the belief was that when he found Pitezel drunk, he went out and procured the chloroform. Pitezel's life was insured in the Fidelity Mutual Life Association of Philadelphia for $ 10,000. Holmes was paying the premiums which were becoming burdensome. If he could get rid of Pitezel by an apparently ac cidental death, the insurance money could be collected. Hence the motive for killing Pitezel. It will be noticed that Holmes examined the coroner's physician. This was done be fore his counsel returned to take part in the trial, although in the meantime they were advising him during the recesses of the court. Miss Yoke (Holmes' third wife, so called), was examined when Holmes' counsel were present, but at his request he was allowed to cross-examine her. There was evidence that he had three wives living, so that Miss Yoke, not being a lawful wife, was allowed to testify against him. As before said, the murder was perpetrated on Sunday, Septem ber 2, 1894. He asked Miss Yoke : — "Question. You have said I left the house ... at about half-past ten or eleven — between ten and eleven o'clock on Sunday morning, September 2. "Answer. I have. "Question. When did you next see me? "Answer. I have said that I believe be tween three and four o'clock. "Question. Describe as nearly as you can the condition in which I then appeared when I returned to the house — I mean physically? "Answer. You came in hurriedly and said that it was very warm, that you had been walking very fast, and if I was well enough
