Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-14
GUITEAU IN COURT.
ARRAIGNMENT OF THE PRISONER,
HE PLEADS 'sNOT GUILTY. )"
HIS TRIAL FIXED FOR NOV. 9TH

l
| Judge Cox retained his seat, and as number OF
| members of the bar and others remained in the
| room it was thought by those present that other
proceedings of no ordinary character were to fol.
low, 1t was soon known that Deputy Marshal
| there was a whisper around the room that Guiteau
| would be called in for arraignment. This was
made certain to outsiders by the posting Of police
men at the doors Of the court ROOM At a few min
utes past II o'clock Mr.. Scoville, Guiteaus attor-
ney. came into the room, and passing through the
| where the prisoner had been taken. Rev. Dr. J. P.
Newman, OF New York, Rev. George v. Leech and
Key. Mr. Hartsock were among the spectators:
| police were stationed about the room. While wait
| ing for the appearance Of the prisoner number of
| spectators entered the room, among others col
ored man of herculean frame and not prepossessing
| avenger."
| APPEARANCE OF THE PRISONER.
! At II rs o'clock, preceded by Marshal Henry and
! Deputy Williams, and flanked by Bailin Tall and q
| detective, the prisoner came into court and was
| shown to seat in front OF the clerks desk. He
walked with quite nervous step, and his restless
| eyes seemed to indicate that he was somewhat
| frightened. He was attired in black suit with
| striped calico shirt He was handcuffed when
| brought in. Gufteau looked broken in health and
uncared for in person. His hair is closely cropped
| but his cheek and chin whiskers are worn thick
| but not long. His dark clothes were rusty and
ably Neglected apnearance he stood nervousIy
before the bar, with his left wrist tightly caspe
by his right hand and with eyes nearly closed, the
| Col. Corkhill remarked: "May it please the
court the grand jury have indicted Chas j. Gui-
@ .stu IoI tne murder oI James a. darneld, ana the
| prisoner being in court, ask his arraignment"
THE ARRANGEMENT.
| The court acquiesced, and the prisoner was di-
! rected to stand His handouts had in the mean
| time been removed
Mr. Frank Williams, the clerk, rising, said Is
| your name Charles j. Guiteau?'
The prisoner" 1t iSn
| Mr. Williams proceeded to read the Indictment,
the the prisoner p1 standing up, with his head most OF
the time Inclined to the right shoulder, his eyes
half closed or wholly so, his hands crossed over his
! stomach as If they still wore the handouts, and
reading occupied nearly half an hour, and during
| all that time Gulteau hardly once changed his
attitude or bearing and rarely opened his eyes
He did not manifest the slightest degree of interest
in the scene in which he was the chief actor; and
but for an occasional slight movement, might be
supposed 10 be asleep In standing attitude.
GUITEAU PLEADS ''NOT GUILTY" AND WANTS TO MAKE
A STATEMENT.
Mr.. Williams concluded reading the indictment
during which there was almost perfect silence) in
about twenty-five minutes, and asked: "What say
you to this indictment? Are you guilty or not
guilty?"
The prisoner took from his pocket paper.
Col. Corkhill-Enter your plea OF guilty or not
The prisoner-Well your honor, 1 enter plea of
guilty, and desire to make statement.
Judge Cox.-You can make it some other time.
COL CORKHIIL ASKS TO GO TO TRIAL NEXT MONDAY.
Col COrkhill.-1 desire this case to be set for
trial Monday morning next, peremptorily.
STATEMENTS OF GUITEAU AND HIS COUNSEL
Mr.. ScOville asked to read a statement, and pro-
ceeded to read one by the defendant to the effect
that he has no money or means, and thatin his de-
| tense it is necessary for him to have witnesses
from distance. Also, one made by himself, to the
effect that he was not ready for trial, having been
in the case only about ten days; that the defense
q UriS nd hat Ia
| wound was not necessarily mortal, and was not the
cause of the Presidents death: Also, that he has
the prisoner, and that he expects to show by wit
! nesses in New York and Chicago hereditary insan-
the accused, was monomaniac on the subject Of
religion. He also expected to show that death was
the result OF malpractice on the part OF the princ
| nesses, A in number
Mr.. ScOville said, acting under the instructions
OF his client, he had endeavored to get him suita-
nal practice-and had applied to MI. Emory Storrs,
OF Chicago, who had declined; also to Mr.. r. T..
had written to Gen. Butler, but had not yet heard
from him. 1t was important that the prisoner
should be properly defended, and he asked, If Gen.
Butler should Decline that the prisoner be allowed
to select counsel
MR.. scovILLE PLEADS FOR TIME
Mr.. Scoville said that, as he understood it. under
the statute the prisoner was entitled to as many
counsel as should be necessary in the discretion OF
he was concerned there no desire to DELAY the
trial single day, but the witnesses could not be
procured n; In Gay OF lave week He desired the court
a little time to prepare while he was willing to
have it disposed of as soon as possible, with the
view Of giving the prisoner fair and impartial
trial.
THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AGAINST DELAY.
Col Corkhill said that the government was ready,
and he opposed a postponement to any length of
time. While it was true th1 Mr.. s. had been IL
the case but ten days he was contersant with the
case for he visited the prisoner shortly after the
shooting. He occupied the position also Of reia-
tive, and be probably knew months ago the wit
points jurisdiction, insanity and malpractice
the defence, but the law does not go as far the
gentleman thinks to pay for any witnesses but the
thought proper to give time to take testimony by
deposition he had no objection. The question OF
Jurisdiction he asked to be set for trial at once and
be disposed of.
FOR JURISDICTION AND NOVEMBER 7TH THE TRIAL.
Judge Cox said: sit is important to the interest
OF public justice that all cases of the gravity of
this should be tried as speedily Is consistent
.,n fair opportunity to defendant to prepare for
trlaL appreciate the necessity for time when
evidence is to be brought from distance and the
a d1mgence already employed by counsel is an evil
that are necessary to be summoned, and whose
testimony viii be important. must consult some
, What, however, the other engagements of this
court IN liking day for the trial OF this case and
mink Inc most convenient time for the court,
and the time which Will sutaciently accommodate
the prisoner, VIII be the 7th OF November which
Is Monday--three weeks from next Monday.
cannot ignore the additional fact that there IS
preliminary question that will be raised-the
questlon as TO the Jurisdiction OF this court over
the case and which rises the face OF the record
Unul that question Is decided there will be no trial
nor could there be trial II this question must
De discussed, l want 1t discussed at once or
anyhow Dy the 3Oth OF the present month in
0rder that 1t may be out OF the way.
In regard to the application to allow the costs Of
Witnesses, their attendance fees and mileage, /
VIII examine the statutes and make such an order
as may be authorized to make. Ihave no disDo-
sltl0n not TO exercise the full power with which I
may De clothed to secure the attendance of ali
wienesSes whose evidence may be MATERIAL and
IN ~ M Whatever the laws allow me to do, win
40 In IaaI regard AS TO counsel for the accused,
II c0unseI cannot be gotten elsewhere, 1 will see
tnaC competeng counsel is had from this bar AT
Of next month. ~ -' ''-' ''A 0"'
Col Corkhill-And the question OF Jurisdiction
the 30th of this month
Mr.. Scoville:-That is matter II the court
please, tnat DO not feel inclined, at this time, to
say anything about
The Court.-That Is question that is antici-
pated. You Will have to Withdraw the plea OF not
guilty 10 the indictment in whole or In part or In
terp0Se another plea or demurrer. You will have
time to go into that question and make such ar
rangements as the District Attorney and the
counsel who NAV come the case may see 11t to