New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-06-06


TESTIMONY FOR AND AGAINST THE PRIsoSEa-HE
Is OPPOSED TO THE PLEA OF INSANITY.
IBr TELEGRAPH THE rRmUNE.I
DOVER. DEL June SIN the West case, to-
day the Hon. Willard sauhbury the prisoners counsel,
confined the examination to establishing the plea OF n-
sanity Mrs. West mother of accused, testified that
her son Isaac received several falls In his youth which
derangcd his mind and that since the Summer Of 1877
he has been growing steadily worse. The State,
the cross-examination, showed that efforts were
not made by his family 10 connne him, and
that I'D TO the time Of the homicide he pursued
ayocatons requiring the exercise Of his mental faoul-
ties Many witnesses testified having noticed strange
freaks in his conduct. He seemed possessed with the
idea Of growing speedily rich, and year ago abored
under the deuson that he had inherited large fortune
IN South America. The State proved in explanation,
that this report was circulated with the view OF advanc
ing him In his addresses 70 his present wife. West
talked 10 witnesses extravagan way about his
pected receipts from his gas, and attempted TO
persuade them to take interest in the manufacture
with the view Of making money. West proposed to
found for exhibition at Milton. small Della
ware town. and for this purpose he roamed about the
country collecting bones sticks. snakes, worthless
pers and rubbish, to which he attached value that
grew out Of his own imagination The defense further
showed that the Summer OF he walked about the
streets in such excited TO collect
around him hroDg OF people that he Travelled about
the country with definite object in view and that he
made msrepresentations % TO his income his means,
and his plans.
number Of witnesses recalled strange things. They
had noticed in Vests manner and in the light Of after
events they believe such conduct is only reconcabe
with the theory OF insanity Last Summer
West told g college friend In wilmington,
while conyersing upon the Webster Parkman murder
case that did believe in punishment hereafter Tor
crime He said he came to Wilmington to get rid OF the
Dover negroes; that they were plotting against him.
and IL something not done he would be obliged to
leave that place. Williamson Armour and Dr. DAVIDSON,
newspaper reporters who visited West in his cell the
day after his imprisonment testified that from his APP
pearance and manner they were convinced his MINI
was dsordere at that time The jaor testified TO his
singular condnct since his Incarceration.
Testimony introduced. extending over period OF
Ave years. relating the prisoners good character and
unaccountabls ways during that time. letter was
read 10 the jury, written by West on Dec. 1872 while
Turner's dead body in his office, soliciting place
a. teacher, at Fredenca, Delaware. West told hls
brother d. West jail that n the crcumstan OF inc
that with negro on his hepds ~ pursued We 2lly
Iurse that was left open to him. This withess had be
lieved his brother insane for long time The state
proved however that be had never expressed that Op-
ION uubIicy until after the tragedy box containing
The nucleus Of Vests proposed museum was ehnluteu
10 the Jury amid great laughter anu oHceenC IN tue
galleries Ia IL old umbrellas, lhhs DOttet pre-
seryei snakes bonea, deer aud COW horD and an OLD
ehOe part with which West told witness ne "ouu
rather lose his right arm. $1,000, ,a.,
aupesrauee 80 years OF age, and has WIFE, and Que
enid two years old. He Is opposed 10 the pea OF III
sanity aud wishes 90 restrict mis- counsel 10 tht OF SCI
defense. His system Is greatly prOstrateu anu
he wept through the vater part OF to-days proceed
ing6