Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-11-18
GUITEAUS TRIAL.


ms APPEARANCE IN ooURT-A QUARREL be-
TWEEN MS coUNsEL-AN ADDRESS WHICH
THE COURT WOULD NOT HEAB-A JURY on
TANNED.
The trial of Guiteau for the assassination
of President Garfield was begun last Monday
in the criminal court at Washington. The
proceedings began at 10 o'clock, but long be-
fore that hour the courtroom was filled with
spectators, and large crowd had assembled
on the outside of the building, anxious to OBJ.
tain a view Of the assassin as he passed from
the prison van to the courtroom. Every pre-
caution TO secure tho safety of the prisoner
against attack from the crowd was adopted
by the United States Marshal A large num-
Der of special officers were appointed, and
these formed lines through which Guiteau
was conducted to and from the court house.
The assassin was escorted from jail by four
mounted policemen, two Of whom rode in
front Of and two behind the van. A guard of
four men also rode on the van. Guiteau was
handcuffed before leaving his cell, the irons
being removed after he entered the court.
room. His arrival at and departure from the
court house was not marked by any demon
straton whatever on the part Of the crowds
through which he passed.
Guiteau's sister, Mrs. Sooville, and his
brother, John w. Guiteau of Boston we're
present in the court. The first proceeding
was plea made by Leigh Robinson, the
counsel assigned to Guiteau by the court for
delay. This proceeding was an evident sur
prise to Mr.. Scoville, who with something
of indignation in his voice, made a spirited
protest against being ignored by Mr.. Robin
son. He was ready to proceed with the trial
and did not wish for delay Mr. Robinson
betrayed some confusion Of mind and cha
grin, and protested that it was for want Of
time alone that he had not consulted Mr..
Scoville. The quarrel continued for some
time, and when Mr.. Scoville finally conclud-
ed Guiteau arose and with emphasis sgnified
his approval of his sentiments. He did not
want delay. From time to time during sub
sequent proceedings he got up and with in-
creasng emphasis asserted that he was his
own lawyer; that Mr.. Scoville was his as
sistant, and that he did not want Mr.. Robin
son in the case at all. He was allowed to
talk considerably, but was usually pulled
down at last by the policemen, at whom he
growled and whom he commanded to mind
their own business. Once he peremptorily
ordered Mr.. Robinson to take his seat. When
Judge Cox commanded him to desist he &C
guessed readily, saying he would heed the
commands of the Judge, but not of police
men. 1t was finally decided to proceed and
draw the jury, reserviug the question of de-
lay until another occasion. The drawing for
jurymen occupied the remainder of the ses-
sion. Mr.. Scoville questioned the jurymen,
inquirng generally regarding their religion,
business, place of residence, and of the depth
of their conviction Of the guilt of the prison
er. He did not peremptorily challenge ju-
ror because he had read of the case, or form
ed an opinion, but only sought to find out
whether he could be depended on to render
a verdict in accordance with the evidence,
Out Of the panel of 100 talesmen FIVE Jurors
were obtained. A new panel Of 10 names
was ordered and the court adjourned. Cult
eau had written statement which he was not
allowed to present to the court and which
was published on Tuesday. 1t is a curious
compound Of egotism, blasphemy and ia
naticism. The Lord and l took the re-
sponsibilty OF removing the President, he
says and constantly refers to the assassina
ton as the Lords work and warns the gov.
| eminent lawyers of the consequences of
working against the Lord He claims through
out the statement to be insane.
On Tuesday Guiteau behaved quietly and
| there were no exciting incidents Four ad.
ditional persons were accepted and sworn as
| jurors. Upon leaving the courtroom the as
sassin was booted and jeered at by the crowd,
| and exhibited symptoms of great fear. On
Wednesday the three additional jurymen, ne
cessary to complete the panel, we're secured.
On Thursday the counsel on both sides de-
livered their opening arguments, and Secre-
tary Blaine and half dozen OF the many eye
witnesses of the shooting rehearsed the events
| connected Herewith. The fact that Guiteau
fred the fatal shot was abundantly proven
and nothing was elected from the witnesses
by the skilful Scoville that tended to show
that the accused was even crank" Quit
eau behaved in a crazy manner again, and Sc
| riously embarrassed his counsel and his broth
| nv his Wild aGgertiOng and uncomfortable
interruptions, until the court quoted him
with the threat of having him removed, man
acled, from the court unless he maintained
| order