The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-12-28


ded about in Uxbridge till he finally came to Anan
Richardson's He Was a weak minded young man,
but of gentle and amable disposition and had
committed any offence against the laws. Tmidity was
leading trait Of his character so much that it
well known he unwilling to venture alone the
night. The composition of Richardson's family was
here stated. When Mrs Richardson was under the
necessity of leaving home visit her sick relative she
selected prisoner, rather than Shean remain athe
house with the family account of his uniform kind
ness TO them The circumstances occurring the fa-
tai day then detailed. 1t was alleged that no ad-
equate motive had been shown, for the commission of
such an offence, and, in the absence thereof, some
stronger evidence of sane mind was required than
the mere legal presumption. If the defence should
present such testimony would give preponderance
of weight to the presumption of insanity they ought to
adopt that presumption. Comments were then made
ON the prevailing sentiment, that the plea of insanity
had been abused in its application The contrary, it
was commended the case and that persons when la
boring under that disease, not to be moral agents.
had often been convicted of crime IThe counsel pro-
posed to read from report of the trial of Rogers an
extract from an opinion given by Dr. Woodward-in
order to establish point in relation to insanity,
which objected to, and, ruled out.] The nature
OF insanity then considered and the extent to which
1t should be shown to exist in order to make it suli-
cient defence to criminal charge. Formerly, it was
held that it be entire so that the accused should
be entirely beref of all points, but now par
tal insanity is deemed sufficient. The different kinds
of partial insanity explained. 'The complaint of
the prisoner is homicidal and suicidal na0lomania
The counsel proceeded to say, that there were vari-
forms in the manifestations Of insanity, where
person not morally responsible for his acts there are
suicidal and homicidal insanity, and various other
kinds, some intermittent occasional, and others per-
manent, some with strong and unerring Indications and
others where they are slight hardlyto be per-
ceved. Some frequently occurring, and others where
sudden outbreak or the commission of some violent
act is the first, and perhaps only indication of its exis-
tence. Where motive can be shown for the act we
claim that the act must be taken as evidence of in
sanity Suicide of itself is always an evidence of in
sanity, unless that presumption is overruled by some
strong rebutting fact We shall show in confederation
of this presumption that the prisoner is man of less
than ordinary intellect, that he the son of an habit
ualy incorporate father, which would have tendency
to give his offspring tendency insanity. We shall
prove facts which the medical witnesses win tell YOU
Indicate insanity The characteristics of insanity were
then read from medical works. The tests of insanity
as recognized by judicial authorities, then stated
and cases in their support cited from the books In
sanity, such would excuse the homicide consisted in
sIch state of mind not to know that the act was
wrong ITSELF enable him to infer necessarily
that the act is contrary to law. 1t argued, that
the circumstances attending this casehe openess of
the manner-the entire want Of concealment-the Sc
lection of the vicm-the want of motve-the ATTEMPT
at sucide-the readiness to submit to tria-the con-
duct on being committed to prison-a indicated nsan-
ity, and were different from the conduct of the nten
tiona vioaor of the law The counsel concluded with
an appeal to the jury to their duties and RESPONSE
bities in the The witnesses were then called.
Philip Pond. 1 reside in Holliston. The father of
the prisoner was an Incorporate man. His death was
occasioned by getting Sieued and lying out His feet
and legs frozen. He lived ten or twelve days af-
ter He in the habit of frequent intoxication.
first knew the prisoner when eight or nine years old.
lie has brother, James, who is an idiot. have had
the care of him of the poor. He is sup
ported by the town and is incapable of taking care of
himself.
Knowltons death only from the information of Others
Am not positive whether prisoner went to the town
school or not We bound the children out, as soon as
we could get places for them Do not know the fahers
age at the time Of his DEATH 1t might be little more
than 30 years. Prisoner was bound to LYMAN Thayer
of Bellingham.
Benjamin H2fmen.-I reside in Ashland knew
the defendants father. Saw him intoxicated num-
Der Of times before his death. James, the brother of
defendant under my year at the House Of
Industry in Holston. He is perfect IDIOT incapable
Of doing any kind of work. The town bound him out
and the finding what he was, made disturbance.
and the town concluded to take him back
Cross Eramined-Saw Knowlton intoxicated two or
three times. Cannot tell certainly how many.
Stephen Hoimes-Knowlton's father once came to INV
fathers house, before he was married He was badly
intoxicated and became dead drunk Saw him
drunk few times afterwards, but not 80 bad az tba,
time.
Cross ErGantnation.-I six or seven wears old
when first saw knowlton drunk 1t was when he
was 20 or q years old before he married was never
much acquainted with him. He married my oldest sis
ter. have seen him drunk six or seven fines We
always considered him habitually intemperate.
Charles DSJee.-Prisoner came to nv house nine
years since, and staid with me something like three
months. His work was chopping wood in the woods.
lie did not do SO much work some people He did