Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-11-19
GIJITEAU ON TRIAL.

onrt house. For hours tney "ai'eu'
VA when at length the court room
aoors were opened as many as could be
usoo.ommodated in the seats prepared
s '"sre admitted. The prisoner was
Sroncht down from tie Jail, this time in
nolice van, but so quietly that scarce
!, any one but the officers knew it.
The audience was composed for the
nost part of members of the District
hor witnesses and members of the
nr4ss Not more than halt dozen Ia
lies had gained admission to the court
room. Next TO lawyer Scoyil!e, sat his
wife. who is Guiteau's sister, Guiteaus
brother and lawyer Robinson, his CHIEF
% counsel At 1905 there was
hustle near the northeast entrance, anu
Marshal Henry entered, followed oy
two officers, between whom was
THE PRISONER.
Guiteau was dressed in suit OF dark
clothes with which bis brother present
cd him Yesterday. He took seat be-
side his sister. The prisoner shook
hands with his brother and sister, and
handed the latter a small pamphlet and
packace of paper, and then arranged
The articles on the table before him, ra-
,ber az if he had been a counsel than an
accused
When all was quiet Mr.. Robinson
addressed the court, asking for more
time before the trial. He said he had
reason to know that he coald get need
cd assistance as counsel before long,
ard that he had some witnesses who
could not get here before December.
He was willing to give the court the
names of said witnesses.
As Mr.. Robinson sat down
GUITEAU AROSE
aud said: "It your Honor please, | de-
sire 10 address the court" His manner
was calm aud business-like. He went
on: Il did not know that my counsel
was ready to make his speech this
morning. l desire to speak for myself.
am here on a murderous charge, aud
desire 10 be heard in my own defense.
This is not the time 20 enter upon
YOUR defense, said Judge Cox. quietly
1T is only a question whether more
time is needed for preparing the de-
tense.
1T is not needed" said Guiteau; "we
are ready to 60 on with the case now.
Mr. Robinson smiled at this, and
asked Guteau TO sit down. The pris-
orel said, you keep still" But ne
did set down mu,tering as he did so,
I'VE are ready 10 go ahead now.
Mr.. Robinson made affidavit that the
sole ground on which he asked delay
WAS inability TO get the necessary wit
resses aud counsel. He said that ne
VS. practically alone in the case and
needed some one. There WIS developed
an evident split between Messrs. SEQ,
Vile aud Robinson.
Mr.. Scoville, addressing the court,
said that Mr.. Robinsons application
was made without his knowledge.
Certainly strange proceeding, since he
had not even seen the affidavit or heard
what counsel hoped TO get. For his
part he WAS ready to 90 on now. lie
knew he was Incompetent 10 undertake
The trial alone, but he hoped, with Mr..
l:obinsou's help, to go ahead with it
now. He hoped, ut least, TO be OF
some assistance 10 Mr.. Robinson, but II
he was to go on in this way he (Sco-
wiley should withdraw. Then
GUITEAU JUMPED TO his FEET
again aud said: IL endorse every word
he says Robinson came into this case
without consulting me and ! don't like
the Way lie talks. | order hin peremp-
torily 10 Withdraw from the case.
Mr.. Robinson renewed his applIca-
ton.
Mr.. Scovillc claimed that the near
relatives Of the prisoner should at least
know who was expected to care for the
defense.
Guilcau again interrupted: ave
don't want Robinson anyway. This Is
pcremptory, and he must go.
Mr.. Scovile went on: 'lt We had
time enough We could get counsel good
enough and plenty Without money, bnt
il the court is going 10 give ns time.
and at the same time assign counsel, |
don't agree with ii.
With this Guiteau jumped up again.
Rapping the table with his knuckles,
he said: "Mr. Scoville is next to me
III this case. l Intend to do this bust
ness myself. Robinson amt wanted. V
The officers tried TO keep him 9niet
but he told them TO mind their business,
be was in the presence OF the court and
would talk when he felt like it.
Col Corkhill asked the court 10 try
to keep the prisoner quiet, whereupon
Guiteau sat down, saying he would do
whatever the court wished him to.
Judge Cox then said he intended at
least that the prisoner should have a
fair trial, but he thought, perhaps, he
had better allow the case to 60 on as
far as the selection of a jury.
The jury panel was then taken up.
The court first explained that it was q
wrong Interpretation Of the law that
excluded from such jury those who
had formed an opinion. Only those
who had formed On opinion that could
not be changed by any evidence what
so ever were absolutely disqualified.
GETTING A JURY.
The first eight of the jury called
we're excused for opinions formed and
expressed. The ninth man, john Ham
lin, keeper OF Washington restau-