The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-27
EASTON'S POISONING TRIAL.
THE SON VINO TRIED TO MAKE WAY
WITH Ar ms FAMILY
Two Physicians who Place no Value on the |
Opinion of DIR. Hammond or Prof. Brown
seauard-Dr. Setp'r Tests not Conc usive. !

Two Physicians who Place no Value the
Opinion Of DIR. Hammond or Prof. Brown-
seouard-Dr. seip's Tests not Conclusive.
EAsToN, Pa, Aug. 26.-The morning ses-
sion OF the trial Of Allen c. Loros, the poisoner
was In great part taken up with testimony OF
county school superintendent, school directors
and others VINO had both officially and socially
known the prisoner aud had never seen any
reason to suspect him OF any unsoundncss Of
mind. Then one Of the most important OF tho
Commonwealth witnesses for robuttal Of the
claim OF epileptic INSANITY, DR.. John Curwen,
Superi tendent OF the Insane Asylum at Har-
rishurg, Pa, was placed upon the stand, and his
examination took up several hours. lie said:
There are two forms Of epilepsy one the quiet form
,nr other iom !, monies 10y Moicn' &C. n %
Of the convusiOn The les err Is characterzod by
OF ae me oc form a se'' ns o
slight conyu ,ions TO- very vioi,n, ones MEYER saw
rgid or thrown about. H. more generally affects one
one eide or the clher Where insanity preccdc. these
e n,sn, Is prSr 70 ae
fifteen MY year. before insanity. tn least time
would not frstore ap,Itnt Who nas an epilcptc NJ.
epsp ~ S e S9 EN- In my p oPs91 pfrV ye
no oihSr evdeaSe Of It ,han he comssion d great
@aa never SS' abe o rceoas, duriSg the in
s VIA. Ss place dS'9s 1He o spS BE-
remembeTcd III another II person commits some
hC' Nlltl hFAHnl Ntll' W nuouN
free from "A effects Of epncpy Memory is o9e Of TIE
under epilepsy oniy two Yeas should commit crime
think he would be morally responsible
one of the nr>t Witnesses In the afternoon
session ~ the court testified that he h ID heard
Allen &. L,ros say in the jail, during tue trial,
Nv ell, tue Commonwealth hasn't weak.ne my
case much TODAY" ma that he seemed to take
DR.. Curwen WIS soon recalled to the stand.
and bis direct examin ton continued. lie
avcffed that he had known OF many cases OF
long-stludlng e iensy IN which the brain was
quite unaffected. H. aid not deem DIR. Seips
tests with burning sealing wax, hot irons, water,
KNIFE 1abbiug, &c, hs IN any degree satisfactory
or conclusive.
In the long and wearisome cross-examin1tion.
n strong bus unsuccessful effort WIS made ty
the defence to get Dr. Curwen to endorse the
acquittai OF young Malwurtb. the parricide. On
the ground OF insani' resulting IRON EPILEPSY.
TIE witness doubted the symptoms Of Allen &.
Laros's case. IA described w DR.. Seip, being
those Of epilepsy, but AID init ed that In some re-
spects thew possessed an epiieptoid character.
witness did not value at all tue authority OF
either DIR. hammond or Prof. Brown-sequard.
Prof. Irailie Green Of Lafayette College testi-
ned that he had mad large experience III cases of
epilepsy. He knew Of one whore a student had
epileptic nts, afterward became minister, and
lived many years, having hts from time 10 time,
yet his mind was never affected. lie mad never
IN his practice had case OF epilepsy result IN
insanity. lie was not disposed To believe from
DR.. Seip's dissertations OF the symptoms IN
tie. lie knew that there were fegned epilt ptics.
lie did not tbiuk the physical tests applied by
d. Seip or any Others would be conclusive. A
man might endure any physical PAIN " he had "A
sufficient moral reason without hinching. Mar
tyrs have endured. without giving wiz, FAR
| greater turtures than any tests apuned for epi-
lepsy. lie believed that person could fetgn
unconsciuusness during the application OF Ill
such pains described as inflicted ~ Dr. sep On
| Laros. lie was at least sure mat ne could do so
| himself. lie knew that he could fegn uncOD-
| sciousness while n thumb nail WIS being drawn
| across his eye or nTe applied TO his BODY. A
man who gives an accurate description " Things
which nave happened some tiLe before VII
| ness considered OF sound mind aud memory.
Coroner Grey testified that when he saw me
pFi-o ner at the inquest no signs OF uDsoundness
| ot mind we're manifested.
Here tue closed for the prosecution,
aud the defence, after brief consultation, also
| closed.
An srgument sued on the right OF MIR. Fox,
the attorney delegated 10y the court to assist tho
prosecuting attorney, TO deliver the closing
| speech for the Commonwealth.
Monday will lie occupied with addresses OF
counsel. ana IL Is hoped I'll t tue Will 20 10
| the Jury on Monday evening.