The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-11-18
THE GUITEAU TRIAL.


Nov. IA. Every seat in the courtroom was
filed. The assassin, dressed in shiny suit OF
black broadcoth, was escorted into court by
two officers. He took seat beside his sister,
Mr.. Robinson being on the other side.
The officers sat Immediately be-
hind him, and one of them, leaning
over, unfastened the handouts from Guiteau's
wrists. The prisoner then shook hands with
his brother and sister, handed the latter
small pamphlet and package OF paper, and
then arranged the articles on the table before
him, rather as if he had been the counsel than
the accused. He appeared much more col
lected than at his arrangement, and had moth.
ing of the frightened look that marked him at
tirat Time When all was quiet Mr.. Robinson
addressed the court, asking for more time be-
fore trial. He said he had reason to know
that he could get needed assistance as counsel
before long, and that he had some witnesses
who could not get there before Dec. ]. He
was willing to give the court the names OF said
witnesses.
AS Mr. Robinson sat down Guiteau arose and
said "If your Honor please, desire TO adj
dress the court. / did not know that my coun-
sci was ready TO make his speech this morning.
/ desire to speak for myself. l am here on a
murderous charge, and desire to be heard in
nv own defense"
This is not the time to enter upon the de-
tense" said Judge Cox, quietly. +" 1t is only
question whether more time is necessary for
preparing the defense"
at is not needed" said Guiteau. "We are
ready to go on with the case now"
Mr.. Robinson smiled at this and asked
Guiteau to sit down.
The prisoner said: "You keep still" But
he did sit down, muttering, as he did SO ave
are ready to go ahead now.
Col. CoIkhil said he saw no reason why the
time should be extended.
Mr.. Robinson made an affidavit that the sole
ground on which he asked delay was in order
to get the necessary witnesses and counsel.
He said he was practically alone in the case
and needed some one.
There was developed an evident split be-
tween Messrs. Scoville and Robinson. Mr..
Scoville, addressing the court, said that Mr..
Roblnson's application was made without his
knowledge, which was certainly strange pro-
ceeding, since he had not even seen the affida-
Wit nor heard what counsel hoped TO get. For
his part he was ready TO go on with the trial.
He knew he was incompetent TO go ahead with
out assistance but he had hoped without Mr..
Robinson's assistance to be able to proceed.
Even now be hoped TO be OF some assistance to
Mr.. Robinson, but il he was to go on IN this
way, he (Scovllle) should withdraw.
Here Guiteau jumped to his feet and said,
in an excited manner: 81 indorse every word
he SAYS Robinson came into this case without
consulting me, and L don't like the way he
talks. L order him peremptoriy to withdraw
from the case"
Mr.. Robinson renewed his application
MIR. ScovilIe claimed the near relatives Of the
prisoner should at least know who was expect
ed to come for the Defense
Guteau again interposed: ave don't want
Robinson, anyway. This is peremptory and he
must CO."
Mr. Scoville went on "If we have time
enough we could get counsel good enough anu
Ylantv xKithnut but II the court il Uon0
to give US time and at the same time assign
counsel 1 don't agree with it. +"
With this Guiteau jumped up again. Rap
ping the table with his knuckles he said "Mr
Scoville is next 10 me III this case. / intend TO
do this business myself. Robinson is not
wanted"
The officers tried to keep him quiet, but he
told them to mind their own business. He was
in the presence of the court, and would talk
when he felt like it.
Col Corkhill asked the court to try to keep
the prisoner quiet whereupon Guiteau sat
down, saying he would do whatever the court
wished him to. After that he was compare
lively quiet
Judge Cox then said he was inclined to give
the defense q little more time. He intends
that the prisoner shall have at least fair trial,
but he thought it would perhaps be better to
allow the case to proceed 80 far as the selection
Of jury, leaving 1t for counsel to arrange for
time and future continuance, and for addi-
tional counsel.
Mr.. Scoville said it should be understood that
he should not even question q juror until he
knew exactly who was to be associated with him
and MIR. Robinson III the defense.
The court said no one could be assigned with
out Mr.. scoville's consent.
Mr.. Sc lie ard Mr.. Robinson both ex-
~ rmse'' satisfied with this arrange
d l,G y panel was then taken up.
Il OF that it was wrong inter
pr Jmand on such jury only
I; lad formed no opinion. The
5 disqualified persons were those
ned an opinion that could not be
!. my evidence whatsoever.
our Of the jury panel stated din
til r. ino nally that they had opinions which
NJ .ence could change, and they were speed
lily @. used. The fifth seemed all right unit
asked il he had any scruples as to capital pun.
ishment. He smiled as he answered in the
Affirmative, and seemed glad to get out OF it.
The sixth thought he could give verdict in 40
cordance with the evidence, though he had re-
peatedly said he should hang the prisoner
This man was in the hardware business. Mr.
Scoville said the juror was not wanted
The next man was mechanic. H.
had an opinion, though not very decided
thought he could give fair verdict. Mr.
Scoville asked as to his politics and religion.
Judge Parker, OF the prosecution, objected
Mr.. Scoyille said he desired to know something
VI thc yulOi cOiSCiIhCc DSl OIc huOWllik
whether he might exercise the right to per
eInptory challenge. That was all he was drN
ing at. He was willing to let that question RES
until he could present authorities This mar
was William p. ODonnel, and in his case Tia,
defense made their first peremptory chal
lenge. The eighth was excused be
cause be held firmly to the opinion formed
Immediately after the shooting. The ninth
man was John Hamlin, well-known restau
| ranter Of Washington. He answered all ques
tons satisfactorily, some as to whether he held
! TO any lnfdel belief. He was accepted by the
defense and was duly sworn as the first Juror
Five jurors have been obtained and sworI
in. Their names and occupations are as fol
! lows: John p. Harlin, restaurant keeper
Fred w. Brandenber, cigar-maker Charles G.
Stewart, flour and feed dealer Henry j
Bright, retired from business Thomas II
| Louglev. grocer.
The panel was exhausted after five Jurors hat
been obtained, and at the suggestion of tn,
( District Attorney an order was issued for draw
ing seventy-fve additional names from the box
The prisoner at this point slowly rose anC
/ Informed the court he would like to make
/ speech tomorrow morning, but he was ordered
by the court to take his seat. He then passet
the manuscript of his speech to newspape
reporter, but before the latter could leav,
the courtroom Scoville called him back anC