The Portland daily press., 1870-02-18
MAI \ E..
Trial Of John Lawrence at Bangor
for the Murder Of Mrs. Atwood.
Thursdays Proceedings.

Especial Dispatch by International Line.l
BANGOR, Feb. T-No further testimony was
offered. Mr.. Knowles opened his argument
for the defence. He reminded the jury of
their responsibility, and urged charity and
mercy. He dissented from the County Attor-
ney in his opening remarks that insanity is
too frequent defence. This was the first case
in the county that he ever knew. Future re.
suits or past deeds ought not to influence their
decision. The healthy man cannot feel or full
ly understand the feelings of sick man. An
inexperienced man can see nothing unusual
sn an insane person. Ordinarily the prisoners
appearance has been that of a sane man DUR
ing the trial. Intemperance has been a cause
for insanity; voluntary drunkenness is no de-
fence for crime; yet if excessive intemperance
has made him crazy created an appetite which
he cannot control, the law mercifully releases
him. The prosecution will claim that the act
was done under voluntary drunkenness. While
intoxcation is not set up as a defence, the re-
suits of that intoxication as cause for nsan-
ty will be enforced. The case seems surround
ed with difficulties. You are called upon to
decide as to diseased brain, which is beyond
the ability of science itself. You know his
history; he was born and educated in this
county. and is proved to have been good boy,
mirthful and obedient. Nothing of violence
has been seen until recently; no viciousness
whatever; very industrious. A man of this
description never commits murder. Murder
is the result of criminal life. He had been
drunk before hundred times, but never be-
fore committed offence. Man never plans and
oo,p mi p,urdar uban DRINK HE racord was
good in the army. Here his health was shat
tered. The bolt from Heaven struck him and
he can never again be man. That while sun
stroke is predisposing cause of insanity, it
also stimulates the natural and acquired appe-
title for drink. TWAS impossible for Lawrence
to resist his appetite. The evidence establishes
the murder as a fact We claim that he did it
when irresponsible.
Mr.. Knowles then recapitulated and review
ed several instances brought out in the testi-
mony, convincing in themselves. Sane men
always attempt to conceal their crimes. Both
druggists refused him poison because of his
appearance After Mrs. Atwood had yielded
to him he deliberately shot her, leaving the
house without word. All of his physicians
stated that suicide is an evidence of insanity.
The opinion of the jury on that subject is as
good as anybody's. The counsel cited the case
of man in Vassalboro who killed his wife and
five children and attempted his own life, with
out previous evidence of insanity. Were the
jury an inquest to decide as to sending him to
the Insane Asylum, not one would hesitate to
do it from the testimony. OF his language to
his brother, his talk to the Marshal, and his
| general conduct on his apparent death-bed are
great evidences. Judge of him according to
your experience. Insane people do and say
| extreme things at such times becouse of their
madness. The idea of suicide has never left
him, witch is strong symptom of insanity.
The court then adjourned to afternoon.
AFTERNooN.-The court room was crowded.
The bar was occupied almost entirely by ladies'
Mr. Knowles, proceeding, spoke of the prison
| er since his confinement; reviewed the jailor I
testimony relating to the change of his room
mate, introducing q convicted criminal in
| place of his former companion, that he raved
frghtfully, contrary to his nature. He had
imbibed no liquor, hence it was insanity. I'm
less crazy no man would deliberately commit
such an act without a motive. Jealousy wa
the olly motive. DR.. Harlow testified tina
unfounded jealousy is insanity. Lawrence
named six gentlemen as honorable as the cour
itself as authors of his jealousy. Upon advic
and reflection the question of their guilt tn
counsel was willing to leave to the jury. 1
was deluson. Government will claim tn
belief sufficient motive. With no legitimat
relation with the deceased, he had no caus
for the jealousy. He had been insane fo
weeks, and climax always follows Jealous
, is frequent cause of suicide. Ill temper ha
J not been shown. No expression of regret ha
been given. Drs. Seavey and Martins test
mony were vital to the effect that the prisone
was insane; would not say that the prisoner
now insane, yet they didn't introduce him
testify on that ground Dr. McRuer testife
that he had no doubt that he was recoverin
!. from fit of insanity The killing being gran
: ed, that preponderence OF testimony must d.
eide, is the rule claimed by government. A
| willing TO rest on that ground. When so mar
. men of intelligence have been victims OF il
TEMPERANCE you will not blame this poor ma
a His name is on the army roll of honor. III
counsel dwelt ON the labors of soldiers at Blu
ker Hill; the three hundred Grecians at The
mopyle, &c. He concluded his discourse wi
e an eloquent appeal for the life of the prisoner
n Attorney General Frye began his argume
: at half-past 4. He stated that the law cove
the prisoner with an armor which governme
!. has to break. 1t was right for the counsel
= the defence to exert himself to the utmost
n his client, but the jury must beware of
sophstries. Sympathy cleared Daniel Sickl
t. He heard the appeal to the soldiers and won
70 Weld to no man in the honor he pays the
But after soldiers return, if he should pro
s. recreant in the jury box, he would think IL
he never realized the beauty of the repub
a. Tie cited cases and argued upon the future
suits of an acquttal.
er Insanity was the only defence that could
offered Drunkenness, delus1on, sudden q