The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-12-29
GUITEAU's TRIAL
Another BadDay for the Insanity
Theory.
EXPERTS DECLARE THE PRISONER IS
SHAMMING.
Guiteau Finally Put where He Belongs.


slept well. Last evening man was placed in
cell near his who was suffering from the
most violent type of mania, and during the
whole night his shrieks rang through the Jail.
Guiteau was very. much annoyed and asked
his keeper what the occasion for such riot.
The keeper replied, "We've got crazy man
on our hands tonight "Well," said Gut
teau, "why don't you check him and make
him keep quiet and not let respectable people
be disturbed in this way by a miserable luna.
tic?"
Dr. Macdonald again took the stand this
morning and was cross-examined by Scoville.
The questions were directed mainly to the sub
ject of temporary insanity, and the witness
was asked if in his practice he had not met an
instance of temporary insanity. He replied,
"Yes, sir, know of man who was insane for
twenty-fonr hours"
Scoville (eagerly)-"And then he got well?''
Witness-"No, sir; he died. daughter at
Scoville's expense.)
The witness was asked what he meant yes.
terday by saying 81 think he (the prisoner)
had been playing part in court" and replied,
Il believe he has heen feigning what he be.
lieved to be insanity-not really insanity.
believe he has been attempting to give the inn
preston in court that he is insane, and with
that idea has been acting part"
Scovile soon became involved in a discus
sion with counsel on the pertinence of ques-
ton, when Guiteau shouted, "You had better
let him go. You are making altogether too
much of him. Ii you have not got sense
enough to see it / will have to tell you"
Allusion was made to the axe incident when
Guiteau commented CONTEMPORARY :-"Oh
nonsense. That axe story is the utmost fiction
it's all rubbish" And shortly after-"Doctor
just tell US something about Abraham and vel
let you GO"
The witness was asked if he were not dis
charged for granting a false certificate OF
health TO William M. Tweed when the latter
was in confinement in the penitentlary. and re,
piled, Il never gave to Tweed a certificate OF
health or ill-health and was never discharged
from any position in my life."
Scoville-I received my information from
another do not entertain the slightest sus-
plction that such was the case, doctor.
After some argument the witness was per
mitted by the court to state that DR.. Herman
was not discharged, as he (Kiernan) had stated
for refusing to sign a false certificate.
Mr.. Randolph Barksdale, superintendent OF
the Central Lunatic Asylum near Richmond,
Virginia, testified that he visited the prisoner
at the Jail the Both of November, when Drs.
Loring and Hamilton examined him. He had
also closely observed him in court, and from
his personal examination and observation was
Of the opinion that he was sane. The witness
also testified that he believed Guiteau had
been feigniDg in court. The witness believed,
taking as true, the facts set forth in the two
hypothetical questions of the prosecution that
the prisoner was sane the I'd of July when he
shot the President.
DR. John H. Calender of Nashville, Tennes-
see, superintendent of the Tennessee State
Asylum fol the insane, had given special atten-
ton to the study of insanity the past II years.
He had seen about 1000 cases during his con-
nection with the Tennessee asylum. The wit
ness visited the prisoner in Jail and examined
his head and face. He found the head some
what unsymmetrical ,buG the lack of symmetry
was not more than is frequently found in sane
hoa oil oIn In
the prisoner in court and declared him to be
perfectly sane. The witness did not believe
in moral insanity or hereditary insanity, save
only in the idea of greater susceptibility to
the development Of insanity In the children of
insane parents.
Col Corkhill-We have had young man
upon the stand here wLo considered the pris-
oner moral monstrosity." Can you tell US
what such monster, if such exists, is?
Answer do not believe in the existence of a
type of moral INSANITY. can onlyiunderstand
blythe term ''moral monstrosity," person Of
average Intellectual ability who gives loose
reins to his evil tendencies and commits helm
GUS crimes.
The witness was asked, in the form of n.y.
pothetical question, setting forth Guiteau's APP
parently rational conduct for weeks prior to
the shooting of the President whether person
who believed himself to be the subject of di-
recte inspiration from the Deity to perform a
certain act would conceal his purpose as the
prisoner had done-and replied that he did not
believe the Deity ever inspired a man to take
the life of a fellow creature; that if a person
labored under an insane delusion that he was
inspired to kill the President of the United
Sthates he would, even if he did not talk
about it, disclose his purpose by his changed
manner and conversation. The witness not hav-
ing heard the hypothetical question they were
read to him by Col Corkhill.
Guiteau prefaced the reading by saying,
80 fr7l1 La fn1
statements / make this assertion now at the
outset to avoid interruption as you go along.
Witness believed taking the facts set forth to
be true that the prisoner was undoubtedly
sane. Guiteau again commented, Two
thirds of that stuff is all bosh'
After recess Mr. Scoville entered the court
room with plaster cast of Guiteau's head
which was taken by Clark Mills some days
since. 1t was examined by experts, report
ers and others, and created quite stir for a
few minutes Mr.. Scovile stated that Mr..
Mills was present and if no objection was
raised it would consult his convenience to be
put upon the stand now to identify the cast
Judge Porter-It seems to me your honor
that the convenience OF the prisoner, of his
counsel and of the witness should be subordin-
ated to the convenience of the court and the
jury that have already been detained too
long upon the case.
Judge Cox-You may resume the crossex-
animation of the witness now upon the stand.
Mr.. Scoville, you shall have an opportunity of
introducing the cast before you are through
Mr.. Scoville then put hypothetical ques-
ton which embraced the clause, Suppose the
prisoner believed himself to be partner with
Jesus Christ"
Judge Porter arose and protested against the
question as blasphemous, and that it would be
disgrace to court of justice and to Chris
tian nation to allow it to be entertained for an
instant.
Ia g
made to what was claimed by the prisoner to
be the actuatiDg motive or influence that led to
his act then the whole defense would be wiped
away at a single stroke.
Judge Porter proceeded to insist upon his
view in his most impressive manner and de-
clared that the time had come when in the
name of the American people and on behalf OF
the Government in a federal court he felt it his
duty to demand that the prisoner be remanded
to the dock.
Guiteau-Oh, you do, you big mouthed Por-
ter.
or attempted to quiet him, when he whirled
around and snarled at one Of them: "Will
you mind your business, or I'll slap you in the
mouth, you fool, you"
Judge Porter continued his remaks and Gui-
teau again interrupted him and shouted out
swell you had better mind your business"
Judge Porter-That is my business here to
day; and your honor must now insist upon
my motion of Saturday, that the prisoner be re-
moved to the dock.
Scoville arose!to speak when Judge Cox said.
"Let me know first if counsel desires to be
heard upon the motion to remove the prisoner
TO the dock.
Judge Davidge then proceeded to speak to
the motion. He believed the time had come
when every one present was satisfied that the
prisoner was perfectly sane in respect to his
behavior aud amenable to the same rule as
other prisoners. In the case of General Sick
les who was tried in this court for murder the
Judge refused to dAviate from the rule although
he was distinguished lawyer and member
of Congress at the time and he sat in the pris-
oners dock during his trial.
Mr. Scoville said he would assent to any
which might be deemed necessary.
No one had suffered more than he had from the
. risoners behavior. Guiteau (interruptiDg),
" Well it's because yon are jackass on this
case. 1t I had decent counsel should not
have any occasion for remarks. You are doing
we'll enough on your theory but your theory is
altogether too narrow. You haven't got brains
enough for this case"
Col. Reed denied the assumption that the
prisoners sanity had been established. No
human knowledge could fathom the workings
of the insane mind and humanity would
dictate if reasonable doubt should exist that
leniency be extended toward him. He thought
an admontion from the court would suffice.
Col orkbill insisted upon the removal of
the prisoner to the dock and the removal from
aronnd him of snecial Dnlicemen who were