The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-12-29

fpatIhCS
StepArn A. Paine.-Recaied by the Attorney Gener'
al knowlton was very passionate II tool did mol
sit him exactly he would be as likely as not to raise
it and break it upon the cart wheel or a rock, or any
thing that was in his way The day after the murder
asked Knowlton what he killed the girl for, and how
ling he hal intended tl He said he had not killed. her
for much Of any thing he had but little against her
He said he was not high, he had drunk but that
day. and that was shortly before, that it had not
been time to make him high. He said he had thought
of killing her by spells for some little time BEFORE and
then would get over it, He told me the same that has
already been testified about the conversation between
him and Thayer-that Thayer offered him S25 to Kill
Sherman, and his refusal gave him 50, and said the
girl might as well be put out of the way.
DR. Luther v BeH.-tas been Superintendent of the
Mclean Lunatic Asylum 10 wears There are about
200 patients Has had about 1900 patients in all under
his care who had momentary homicidal impulses. DR.
b. stated the case OF young man from Maine, who
had never shown any previous indications OF insanity,
but who going to the field day. suddenly seized
the ptchfork from the cart, and, with two or three
blows, destroyed his father He stated to me that he
heard voice directing him to do the deed. He made
the same statement uniformly to me and Others His
Melcher. Another case was that of Alex
ander Roy, who tried at Lowell There was no
evidence OF any previous indications Of insanity unless
it might have been single paroxysm some wears be-
fore. He suddenly killed his companion in the night
and was found IN the morning sitting trunk by the
bed side. The front door was open and he made M
attempts to escape. / think there were some indica-
tons of insanity, after the act and before the trial
He asserted to the officers and medical men that his
victim intended to commit outrage on his person.
The same impression attended his mind the parox-
ysm some years before | considered him an insane
man. Melcher pure minded religious Young
man. Roy had occasionally drank, but there was no
evidence OF intoXication when the act was committed
Another case was that of Capt Alexander Britton,
VINO Killed young woman in Cambridgeport. He
suddenly seized knife and thrust it in the breast of
O Wh he To be
tons IN the poor house, He seemed to have delusion
although 70 or IS years DID, that he could begin the
world anew, and live his life over again There was
no evidence of this deusion previous the trial. but
was developed afterwards. The young woman was
annoyed by his attentions, aud the impulse was copse
quen on her refusal of them. The are many cases in
the books and testified to, by high medical authority
where the commission OF violent was the first
known manifestation of insanity. Some times the act
is followed by other similar outbreaks at others times
there is no subsequent manifestation of the disease
No general rule can be laid down in respect to it,
When the paroxysm has passed offthere would be no
physical indication of its existence left. When there
is tendency insanity the use of Intoxicating drinks
tends to bring The grade of intellect is no ind
cation Of tendency to insanity. Under the state OF
facts proved in this case the absence of any motive
with the attempt commit suicide, and without any
attempt to escape there had been evidence of in
toxication should think the conviction would be ir-
resistiby forced upon my mind How far that conyic
ton should be overrued in the present case by othe
facts, such the state of the prisoner his degree
culture, and the extent of stimulation, does not
10 be proper question for to determine
Cross Examined In the three cases stated by me
there were subsequent evidences of deuson attending
the commission of the act of violence. In the presen
case, have seen no proof of any deusion.
DR.. Isaac Ray. Is superintendent of the Butler Lu
natic Asylum at Providence Was formerly SInerin
tendant Of the Maine Asylum. Have had 500 or 7O(
patients under my care Concur entirely with tn
opinions given by DIR. Bell. The case stated by DIR
b. would furnish strong presmptive evidence to IN
mind, of insanity Have had but single case of bom
icidal impulse under my charge and in that case an
not quite certain it not accompanied by deluson-
Homcdal insanity technically defined prechdes til
idea of deusion. But homicide takes place under tn
impulse OF insanity more often with delusion than with
out. Insanity would be likely to ensue under til
influence of drink than without. INVESTIGATION in pa
rents may be considered and considered one OF tn
predisposing causes of insanity in the offspring Par
oxysms of insanity frequently pass away suddenly
think they most frequently do SO, often, Immediately al
ter homicidal act.
DR.. George Chandl9-Is superintendent Of the Stat
Lunatic Hospital Concurs in the opinions cxpresse
by Drs. Bell and Ray. Roy, whose case was testife
OF BY DIR. Bell is in the Hospital He peaceable an
well disposed, and works every day. | saw the pr;s
the 9TH of February and on the oath 26th an
18th OF November, the first time accidentally the sui
sequen times at the request of Dr. Green who is tn
physician of the prison. indications of insar
iy. He might have been insane and got we'll TIL
him. ! did not go into the room.
Sheriff La1cotn-Recaled by the government Ha
frequently seen the prisoner. There has been Sun
day school in the prison. He has more than half tn
Sundays asked for particular books and taken them t
his cell. have frequently talked with him in his cell
At times, he has been in desponding condition, a
others ne has wanted that every thing should be don
Tor HIS defence that could be.
The testimony in the was here closed.
JOSEPH MASON for the defence The counsel in
opening, expressed his dstrust of his ability to do Jus
tce to his cause his of the obligation resting up
him, and the conviction that if that had pressed ,p
him at first, does now, he might have been de
TERED from assuming the Of the defence H
stands here, paid advocate, for the prisoner wa
poor and penness, but in obedience to the will
the Court, which had assigned the duty to him. Yet
he believed the prisoner really guilty Of ,ch
gda, he should raise his voice there to aternp
TO procure his acquittal
The counsel then commented upon the lger Of con
vcting circumsantia evidence, and especially upo
confessions Of the accused and read accounts from thu
books Of various instances Of confessions of crimes AM
In some of convictions and executions where i
was ascertained that the accused was innocent TIL
numerous cases Of confessions Of witchcraf &C., wer
also referred to. The confessions in this case wer,
70 just decision, but should have more than the
proper weight. The jury were asked to examine al
the evidence with impartiaty Public justice does no
AJAX vengeance. The law is strong and powerfu-th
prisoner poor and weak, and remains any result
If acquitted the ground Of insanity, he will be con
6ned in the Lunatic Hospital If convicted Of man