The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-12-04
GUIFTEAU.
How He Was Made 90 Give
Himself Away,

Washington, 2.-Guitteau left the
stand this afternoon after his three days
ssiege, a broken man. He was tired out,
haggard, faded, disguised, sullen, ugly,
and there seemed to be about him an
evident feeling that Judge Porter, the
terrible cross-examiner, had, despite his
cunning theories and his persistence to
them, shown the inspiration theory was
simply part Of the defense planned long
before. The malice of Gaitteau brought
him to the rivers bank, to fire at the
marsh reeds for targets. Doyou feel any
remorse? was the last question which
Judge Porter asked. After having been
pressed earnestly upon that point for
some moments, the prisoner answered at
last sullenly, desperately: have felt re-
morse. of course, as far as my personal
feelings are concerned. Judge Porter,
quick as lightning, and dramatically,
said: That will do, prisoner, your
Characterization is closed. Guitteau,
writhing under the tremendous force
of Judge Porter's question, saw the
terrible effect of his confession. During
all these months one part OF his defense
ms been 10 insist to al that he never
had had n single sentiment of remorse.
During this cross-ex animation he hes
said dozen times to Judge Porter's ter
ri BILE questions, that his mind was blank
upon that subject. TO all the experts
who have called upon him during these
weeks be has insisted with gleeful peril
nacity that thought of remorse never
came to him, that his mind upon that
subject was blank, yet tonight, at the
the end of the three days cross-examins-
ton, which was as rigid across.exsmins-
ton as 8 prisoner was ever subjected to,
he admitted that which seemed to bring
sadness to his relatives and caused sem
sation in the court room. He bad killed |
President, and he had suffered remorse.
With cat-like quickness Guitteau rallied |
from what seemed almost like paralysis,
coWed by the tremendous laundering Of |
Judge Porter at him, and endeavored to |
correct what he plainly saw was the effect |
Of that admission. Judge Porter would |
not listen to q word, but raised his hand. |
Scoville tried to parry the effect, but ap- |
parently without success, and Guitteau |
left the stand more discouraged than he /
has appeared st any time during the |
trial. Guitteau, although cowed and |
driven into corner, saw the force OF |
every one OF Judge Porter's questions,
and endeavored to evade them, and man
ifested undoubted skill. There were some
words which almost caused him TO vince |
with terror. He shrunk and seemed to |
SILVER in the witness box, when Judge |
Porter used the words, murder"
xiii, :" assassin" Judge Porter made /
it clear that Guitteau was able to control |
the divine presence the day Mrs. Gar
field came to the depot with the Presi-
dent, and emphasized this fact, which |
has such en- important bearing upon the
question of responsibility. The cross
examination was evidently successful. |
It lifted the mask, showed the plot to
murder the President was premeditsted,
and deliberate, and was the result of
malice and revenge The prisoner felt |
it keenly. Porter broke down the won
derful, quick. supple witness.