Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-24

A Husbands Assault On q Physician.
TIE PATCH-AUEcAsTKR eAsE-hALB DOCTORS AND
FKMALE PATTDTS.
To-day in the Criminal Court, Judge James,
the case of Joseph Patch-charged with having /
on july LIST last committed an assault On Dr. o.
NJ Muncaster, for which he was sentenced TO 30
days in jail, and from which judgment he ap-
pealed--was taken up, Mr.. r Perry, Assistant
District Attorney, for the government, and Mr..
briefly stated that the assault was committed as
set forth in the Information, and his face was
besrneared with a naIneiess substance
Mr. Miller, for defendant, did not deny the
assault but claimed that the accused at the
time was laboring under an insane delesion, and
was therefore not responsible.
Dr. o. N. Muhcaster testified that on the 1st
of July the defendant came to his Office on New
York avenue, near 18th street. and struck him
with cane about the ear and was grabbed by
the throat, when he discovered who It was He
managed to get the stick from him and turned
him over to the police. On ss-eXamination
witness said there was no cause for the assault,
as he considered, and he thought defendant
must have been intoxicated or insane. He ap-
peared to be very angry, and under great ex-
element. Had not seen him for about eighteen
months before, when witness treated him for
about four months for throat affection.
Lettie Hammond, colored, testified that she
attended the door and admitted defendant. and
she said that Mr.. Patch appeaped to be like
any other man, but when he went in the Office
he jumped right on the doctor; Cid not hear
Peter Wood, residing in Georgetown. testified
that he walked out with Mr.. Patch that morn
ng to the Ebbitt House and he was somewhat
excited, but no allusi0n was made to any diff1-
Guilty or Intention to commit an assault.
John Patch, brother OF defendant, testified
that defendant was married first In 1859, being
then 20 or 81 years OF age, and there was diff
Guilty with his wife, whom he accused Of adult
terry and from whom he obtained divorce. He
shot young man, whom he supposed had been
rrrif 1,Sc rrrAfo
a long time melancholy over the affair. OF
late years he has been much opposed to phys
icfan touching his wife, and he has for 10 years
century Tor male physicians 70 attend females'''
and II will never allow any one to attend my
Wife" Knows that he wrote book or pam
like ..Medical Prostitution or Female Physicians
Tor Females" Defendant was born in 1910 and
came here in 1852.
Mr.. Wood recalled for defence:-Mr, Patch is
little Off on doctors attending his wife, having
monomania on the subject. He was fire.
quently talking OH it, and he became much ex-
cited on it, so much so that they sent for physi-
clan to ascertain what was the matter with him.
He said that DR.. Muncaser had come there to
see his wife without he sending for him, and he
did not think that any woman Who would allow
male doctor in the room In the absence Of her
husband was any better than prostitute: His
wife was very III at the time of the visit, and
whenever DR.. MS name was mentioned he be-
came very much excited.
A deposition was read from DR.. Louis Mack
all, TO the effect that he regarded MI. Patch as
having had an insane impulse on the subject Of
DR.. Muncaster's attending his wife.
The defendant was then called to the stand
and testified that he had resided in the city
since 1852; that he was married In 1856, and a
man having committed adultery with his wife,
he shot him: that he met Or. lancaster in jan
uaTy, 1878. who prescribed for him. and he after
wards sent for DR.. N. to see his wife, and after
one or two visits DR.. N. said his wife was all
right. and he supposed that he would not come
again; but on returning home a few nights at
forwards he was surprised TO find DR.. Muncas-
ter and Mrs. Porter in his wife'S room, and
learning that he had placed his hands on his
w1fe's person his troubles commenced and it
was because OF his action he made the assault.
w. II. May testified that he had known de-
PENDANT for years, and ordinarily he is an intel
ligent, shrewed business man, but he appeared
to have delusfon as to one pGint-male phySi-
clans for females.
Further testimony was heard. and Mr.. Perry
said the only question left in the case was as to
the sanity OF the accused, and the burden OF
proof rested on the prisoner.
Mr.. Miller proceeded to argue this point