The National tribune., 1881-12-17
TRIAL OF THE ASSASSIN.
Continued from first page


prisoner at the bar; also that at about the age
of thirty-fve wears his own mind was so much
deranged that he was a lit subject TO be sent to
an insane asylum; also that at different times
from that date during the next succeeding five
years. he manifested such decided symptoms of
insanity, without stimulation, that many different
persons cOnversing with him and observing this
conduct believed him to be insane; also that
during the msnth of June, 1881, at about the
expiration of said term of five years, he honestly
became dominated by the idea that he was in-
spired of God to remove the President of the
United States; also that he acted upon what he
believed to he such lnsplr alton, and what he be-
lieyed to be in accordance with the Divine will,
In preparation for, and in the accomplishment
of, such purpose; also that he committed the
act Of shooting the President under what he be-
Iieved 10 be a Divine command, which he was
not at liberty to disObey, and which belief
amounted to a conviction that controlled ms
conscience and overpOweTed his Will as to that
act that he could not resist the mental pressure
upon him; also that Immediately after the
shooting he appeared calm, and as one relieved
by performance of a great duty; also that there
was no other adequate motive for the act than
the conviction that he was executing the Divine
will for the good of his country. Assuming all
these propositions to be true state whether IN
Yeur opinion the prisoner was sane or insane at
the time of shooting President Gartield?"
the prisoner was insane" replied the witness.
"Have you any doubt about it?"
"No, sir"
The witnes was then turned over for cross
examination, which was conducted by Mr..
Davidge. The witness said he was formerly
nected with the insane hospital at Wards Island;
he had been discharged from there owing TO
having refused to sign certain death certificate,
and on account of paper he read before medical
society.
Witness further said, basing his judgment On
Mr.. North's testimony, he should regard Mr.
Luther w. GHiteau as person of rather dubious
mental conditions had not facts enough to form
decided opinion.
The substance of the evidence regarding other
members Of the family alleged to be insane having
been submitted to witness in the form of query,
be said he should certainly write the case
of hereditary insanity.
The witness being questioned as to DR.. Rices
evidence he said he believed insanity could exist
without haliucination or deiusion; he believed ia
what is called moral insanity The examination
of the witness was frequently interrupted by
discussions between counsel as to the admissi-
bility of questions and replies.
The witness said, assuming DR.. Riceis state
ment to be true, that the prisoner was in a state
of exaltation and his judgment was impaired,
the prisoner, if sent to an insane asylum, would
not be discharged.
IL
not more cases, where patients had labored under
delusion of inspiration by the Deity, and under
that deluson had pursued the object of the So
called delusiOn logically. The witness cited two
cases that had come under his notice of alleged
inspiration. The witness did not think that fear
lesSness was an unerring indication of belief in
inspiration.
In reply to a question from Mr.. Davidge the
witness said, that if g claimed to be inspired,
but acted as vulgar criminal, the presumptive
evidence against his claim would be strong.
You viii please leave that word vulgar out
now" said the prisoner. There is nothing vul-
gar about this case. 1t is all high-toned"
Explaining astatementin his cross examination
that he did not believe in future rewards OF pun
lshments, the witness said: . I am, like great
many scientific men, what is called an agnostic.
4 don't know anything about that matter.
want more evidence before ] make up my mind !
Witness was kept upon the stand for some time
longer, but his testimony was Of special
interest.
After recess Richard J. Hinton, editor of the |
Sunday Gazette was called to the stand and eX- |
emned by Mr. Scoville. He had taken part, he |
said, as writer in the political campaign of last
year; had been about the Republican headquarters |
IN New York; had seen the prisoner there; had |
formed the opinion that he (the prisoner was |
decidedly ill-balauced, cranky egotst. The wit
ness being asked what he thought of the pris- |
that he considered it ridiculous.
"Thats false" yelled the prisoner, and turning
to Mr. ScOville, added "If you are trying to |
make me out fool, stop. | don't take any stock |
in your line OF defense that | am fool and | |
have told you so twenty times in private"
The witness continued to give his opinion of |
the speech
The best men in the Republican party spoke
well of that speech" shouted the prisoner.
Then turning to the Court the prisoner an
AOunced with excitement: Il don't take any
stock in that kind OF defense. / would rather be
hung man than acquitted as fool" Then,
turning to Mr.. Scoville, the prisoner added, an
grily: You had business putting Senator
Davis on the stand, either. 1t was piece of i'm
pertinence and an Insult 10 me-"
The witness then continued remarking that
Guiteau a laughing stock about the commit
tee rooms.
"That's false" yelled the prisoner II don't
know anything about yOu..sir. I knew the men
who did the business-Governor Jewell and
others" Turning to Mr. Scoville:) "If you put
any more such cranky fellows on the stand, I'll
blow you up again"
The witness was then excused and as he was
leaving the stand Guiteau called out: "An the
high-tOned men Of the Republican party spoke
well of that speech"
Dr. Chas H. Nichols Superintendent of the
BlOOmingdale Insane Asylum, was called and
sworn.
Mr.. ScOville read the Hypothetical case" to
him, (printed above, and the doctor said: TAX
ing that Hypothetical case to be true should
Il. -, ! Id