New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-11-14
TIE DEFENCE OF GUITEAU.
THE AssAsSIS's CoUN FL ADVISED not TO RAISE
TIE QUESTION OF MALPRACuCH-THE PLANS
OF SIR. SCOVlIGE.


TIE QUESTION OF MALrRACTCH-TnE PLANS
or SIR. sCOyuLE
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEl
NASHINGrOy. Nov 13.-Mr. ScOvllic counsel for
Guitcau has been advised by prominent lawyer
not to raise the malpractice question in defence of
his client The theory OF the gentleman who gave
this advice is thar if this subject entered upon it
viii lead to a discussion Of the terrible suferngs of
the President and this viii have the strongest pos
sibie influence the minds of jurors, as upon public
opinion generally against the prisoner.
lJr Scovllc has said Il shall follow the pris-
oarr'- life from the time his mental weakness was
first discovered up to the day OF the shooting, and
shall show that for years his mind has been I'M
balanced. and that h. has been uuquestionaby in
sane upon crtain points. As is the with mono
maniacs Guiteau at times was perfectly rational,
and j.; would be impossible for any one to discover
the slightest Indications of insanity. Again he
would become mor1sc and show I'm nistakdble evil
dcuccs of being mentally weak
Mr. Scoyie said further that he did not think it
would De possible to keep Guitcau from
participating individually in his own de-
fence, and he indicated that it might not
be a bad Idcl to allow Guiteau to take his own
course, as thereby he would furnish the strongest
proof of his own insanity. He will" said Mr.. SEQ
Vile, "bc closely watched during the trial by ex-
pers and Others thoroughly conversant by long ex-
percncc with insanity in its various forms. In my
opinion no one can see much Of Gulteau with be-
coming convinced of hi, insanity
II D. evidently Mr. Scoyile's intention 10 intro
ducr the political situation ut the time OF the shoot
ing aud 10 show that 1t had its influence upon the
mind OF his client. " shall SAID Mr.. ScOvllle, " III
my opening address 10 the jury, make statement
i'm regard 10 tins which will define my position ana
show llailiv what expect to prove shall en-
deavor 10 ayold giving offence 10 any political fac
ton. and could | consult NY own wishes st0uld
avoid auy reference whatever to this feature ot the
Gaze. But my dutr 10 my client Will not permit me
to shirA this II. possibility however dlstaSteiul
John ". Guirrau, of Bo- on and his sister, MIS-
Scoyllr, visited their brother NJ the jail here TINS
afternoon. The interview lasted nearly two hours
The prisoner betrayed no unusual emotion at the
meeting. and. alter exchanging lutatlons, began
the recital Of tine old story as 10 the causes Whlch
promuted him to commit the crime with which he
is fhIrg.d. H. expressed no regret whatever Tor
his action bu reiterated his previous story about
being insured by God -
George Scvy1le stated this evening that ms client
had insisted that 10 shOuld be his prcrogatlvc 10
make "A statement in court tomorrow, ana lhat
Iuieau had been engaged for the past ten days III
pr,p1riuu document setting forth ms views, Whlch
he viii probably prcscnt soon ~ thc court opens
to-nurro,y. unless prevented by Judge Cox
Mir Srayillc said tonight that lt was not the IN
tcutiou OF counsel for the defence To mtrudc tech
niral objections in selecting jury. They viii en-
dcayor to obtain jury composed of men capable ol
rendering laIr verdict after hearing th' evidence,
and who wal. not De carried away by public claihor
against their convictions.