The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-11
Investigation as to His sanity.
From the TROY Times. June 81

THE BLIND LURDERGR
Investigation as to His sanity.
from the Troy Times. June 81
The commissioners appointed by judge ingalls,
under the new law Of last winter to determine the
question Of the mental capacity OF Asa Kite, the
bind murderer, had an Interesting interview with
HIM in Jall yesterday afternoon. The commission
consists OF Levi smith, lawyer, and Drs. Nc Lean
ana Wilton. Asa was brought down into the
Sherns private office and there Intercepted upon
various subjects. with view 10 determine the ques-
justify ms trial upon The capta charge Tor which he
is confined OF course II Is not thought ne is insane.
prehcnd the nature ana surroundings OF court ana
TO take part In his defence ne cannot be
such Gaze ana protection Tor him as Is necessary for
his maintenance IN some OF the charitable 1astitu-
tons OF ne state. AZ times curing the interview
and il was remarked by the Sheriff That since he
mad been In Jail ne had learned great deal about
things OF which he had no conception when he en-
terei me crison Dr.. McLeln oegan the lnvesflga-
ton Us foliows:-
z. Asa did ever see You before A. Yes SIR.
y. DO You know man named Walt who resides
near your nomeS A. Yes, slr
q. DID he meet with an accident recently A.
Z. Mow did he set hurta A.. By the cars:
z. Was ne in the army2 A. les, sic; he was In the
0. sow did you learn tnis9 A. They read 1T to me
in the papers.
Mr. ssnith--Asa. when did you come to the Jail
A. On the 18th OF September.
q. Wru Is sheiiif now a. Mr.. Mckcon.
q. When dld Mr. EcKeon come heref A. New
Years day.
o. Were you ever III court1 A.. Yes, sir; in Feb
ruary
q VINO were appointed to defend you ~. Nc
Clellan u Lansing.
q Have tney been to see your A. Yes, sir; not
lately.
q. Who do you want as witnesses at your rriaiS
Q. WHAT is your defenceS A. don't know.
i q. llavn't You Thought apou' ltY a. Wel!, yes.
+ q. DO you expect 20 yet cicarf A. Don't know.
I I. WHAT IS Jour wisnf 4. Get clear'il he the
O. What viii You do then? A. Iot any thlng IL
mint likely
Dr. wntonrWoud you rather Sta ~ here man go
with my sister.
MI. Snitn-liave any friends been to see your A.
! Yea, not lately.
- how THE MURDER OCCURRED.
! q INV did this AFFAIR naupeny A. Wen, my
,SS "a" xhd mother vent or TO do The chores
ana tney l s.aa - nr 'I came in y, ana W.
itt laine. AAsS ~ ~ -. ,oYA uie eniu
awaS irol.. ms' an na, niaae Tue inSS was siIins
IA tne rocn,hg Snair noa'is Tue ch,'u anu !. was
the wood mouse. and ne followed me- then ne began
10 KICK me az a wem oncs no ot hor room
AGAIN, aLd nc .oLo"el me- then Eos me revolver
oul and red IL on; IL was in the stand drawer and
belonged 10 my brotier.
q. Had you ever freu u on berorep A. NO--neyer
pred gum hi,, had II In my nanus when Ii wasn't
loaded; did not know whether 1t was loaGed or net
When nfed (lh!s ana Subsequent answers N reply
to qnestions.) Father was Ill the door when fired
II; the noise OF The pistol lliShtened me some;
struck him with tie pistol once or twice wnen lie
know shot him until the neighbors came in; nave
always been plila' rs long as can remember; am
twenty years Old; aiter Greu the sno5 sat down;
ana not know the mischief had done; only relnem
there iii after the pistol went or; don't know how
! Killed iatner ana mother DOH: Merrinan Turner
was the nrst that came IN, ana only knew That
shot father and mother when Ne tod me; never
I done much OF anything at bone except saving
wood; never was further than the house of Turner
alone; have been lur.her when my lolks were with
/ me.
I 9. How do you account for killing both your
| know; don't recollect OF hrlng but once.
THE OLD NAN SHOOTS AT ASA.
! DR.. McLean-Did your father ever threaten TO
shoot your A. Yes; he couldn't find his whiskey
Jug-he had put 1t away aud forgotten wnere--and
nc thought mother and had MD 1t; he took down
, the gun and chased US out doors.
q. Dld lie nre al your "A. leS.
q. Was he ugly A. Yes, When he had just lit
!, tie liquor In; when he was very drunk he was not
/ ugly.
| q Were you afraid OF himS A. Yes, when was
I. How long IL 1t since he fired the musket at
much.
V Dlu you ieei otuiy Wien you iound what you
had doae2 a. les: told EN- al So
sn0n Ma ga wGu' Ins 40 10 you you
Z. would they shoot your a. NO.
uu c,,,,,, AsA rs ip pta or "a A Court. .,o,
thts Term a. sposc 81.
Y. Mho tries you ! "A, Isl !. : inc law.
y. 10y uetc. "1ehei Jou arc sui'ly VI MOI
a. well uone hno ,, ..o
2. DO you Know what court ISL A. Not much;
only KNOW Inc Names
Y. What's Jury A. Twelve men;
" WHO 'oni you 'hat r a. 'oo'ne VI Tue fellows UP
stars. - -, 49,.
~. piu you hho" peioie you cauie heref "A. NO.
sir; .,ou r, ,, 49,,
Y; no" 90 ',iey IN lnu ou' WEI y man - guty
a. uch II d iA'' 'e'i9 "i'"' he vi" ,ley uon't necd
Jury; ~. ,,o ,,..
Y. VIM 10 we 9uusvf a. insaiiS' heara ieHoW
up stairs 'e.tutuI - aS So ~. 49,. - -. ,,,
V no" ooes Tue oner'h 'iea' you neref IL first
fase' M, ,,. oo ,on = ,,, ., ;u ,ua
- Diu my AIS No., -, Ju i,S ~
SSs 5"o" 4heA' " IoA''A~AA "no oiu
eooA ,o,, ,oro . ,ouo,r -, ,,,,r,
:. miio o a" ,y,,,,a aasnntru ,,os D is 49,; g.,
sa,,nr I've nnaa.anca -, ..s,,d 1ann,, ~ nc,
,I ~ - ms oyac,,,i"m Asa no rrot;rc ,y,,, NY
~, ~, raosnra n,r .Is'n Win sova
.ea vi vfr.olv rrnar a ne ma, lipnse e
~ ~, ~ Suo rnrr Sn, ili.. '.inh .iat
sie ~, @ n hau eoc pach W hauh'
nm i y, ~, nro -, 10 hra ,vo,,,s r , .. -
=. you az w NC ~ ,ux "ouiu YOU Mai 10 nc
.aul ~, ,n ~ ~ 81 oa ,,,,a a.. Dod nno"