The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-12-01
TRIAL OF THE ASSASSIN.

TRIAL OF THE ASSASSIN.
Review OF the Teasimony-The CuIprit
shet nj but Miased, Usu.ai-ScoyilIe's
Address-The Defrnae is Inanutty-Tbe
Cou t-RoOm Little Better than Low
Comedy, or n Circus.
Upon the seventh day of the trial It was
found that the crowd at the courthouse was
three times greater than on any p. evious day,
and 1t was with difficulty that those entitled to
admission could force their way through the
corridors to the Criminal Courtroom. Guiteau
arrived in the van at o'clock, having an es-
cort of three mounted policemen in addi-
ton to the two officers on the van.
On the way he laid stretched out on the
seat so as to be below tho line of fire.
His movements in getting into and leaving the
van indicated the most abject fear, the crowd
hooting and jeering as usual. On the opening
of court Robinson, of the Defense rose and
addressed the Court in behalf of himself. He
stated that his treatment had been such that
he could not, with self-respet. remain as coun-
sci for the defense. The Court excused him.
Hereupon, Mr.. scoville stated that he did
not expect to be without assistance
in the case, and was expecting aid
from gentlemen in Chicago. Guiteau
then said he was expecting several persons,
whom he has previously named, to be present
in short time to aid the defense. And then,
after pause, the prisoner said son the
question of malpractice we do not propose to
insist on that here, but desire the record to
show that appear here in my own capacity as
counsel. The idea of malpractice is this; that
according to the physicians statements, the
President was net fatally shot on the 25th of
July. At that time they made an official ex-
animation, and said he would recover. If he
was not fatally shot on the 25th of July, we
say his death was caused by malpractice. We
do not desire to press that, but desire it to
go on the record for the court in banc, If neces-
sary." After o pause my defense here Is
that 1t is the Deity's act and not mine, and
expect he can take care of it. He has taken
care Of it very well SO far" Laughter
Lamb, who testified to the character of the
wound, that 1t was mortal one, and identified
the ball, which was exhibited to the Jury, as
the one taken from the body of the President,
now told that be would be heard in opening for
the defense. Remaining in his seat Guiteau
began: "Your Honor, l was not aware I was
expected to speak this morning. did not care
to say more than was publ.s last Mon
day in my address to the public, and presume
the jury all saw it. I have no set speech to
make. The idea is to make corrections as we
go along, just as have been doing. If false
statements are made I shall correct them while
they are hot and not let them get cool and
further statements, reiterating the above SUBJ
stance, Mr.. Scoville addressed the jury at con-
siderable length.
The eighth day of the trial of Guiteau has
been termed disgusting low comedy. Were
any one, unfamiliar with the facts In the case,
to have dropped into the Criminal Court of the
District during the day, probably the
last thing that would have occurred to
them would have been that the assassin
of our President was trial for his life.
The Courtroom was crowded in every nook
and oorner, and the uerjdtin, report of the
proceedings shows daughter" "loud laugh
ter" Applause" "prolongued applause
Mr.. scovilie resumed his address. He called
the attention of the jury to tho plea set up By
the defense, insanity, and discussed ut great
length the growth and changes In public
opinion upon the subject of insanity and its
treatment by the courts when set up as
defense in criminal cases. He claimed the
plea of insanity having been set up by the de-
fense. the burden of proof rests with the
prosecution. In detailing the more enlightened
treatment of the insane now in vogue at
asylums, he said sin other words. those in
charge of asylums act with o little
more reason than do the inmates" This
statement amused Guiteau greatly, broad
smile breaking over his features, which
reappeared two or three times as if
his mind REQUIRED to it. Mr.. SeoSille then re-
ferred to the newspapers and the general pub
lie respecting their prejudice against the plea
of insanity. He said the newspapers had
charged that the prisoner was feigning insan-
ity. At this statement Guiteau turned uneasily
in his chair and said with quick, nervous ar
ticulation, "I never feign; act myself, sane
or insane" Mr.: Scoville then referred to the
arrest of man at the time of the Inauguration
of President Hayes, who was sent to the asylum.
This person, Scoville said, was as determined
to kill Hayes as Guiteau was to kill Garfield.
President Garfield" said the speaker, "even
said, why did this man do it2 He must be
insane Blaine must have believed Guiteau in
sane" Col. Corkhill here arose and said with
emphasis Z" If you will allow me, Mr.. SEQ
vile, the President never said he thought
he was insane. He thought him sane
all the time. Blaine has said under
oath he believes him sane" Mr.. Scoville then
| papers The family relations of the prisoner
| were then discussed at great length, showing
that the entire family, generations back,
| were insane on religious matters. He treated,
also. Of their relations with the Oneida Com
munity. Guiteau appeared to be satisfied until
| Scoville plainly intimate that the lack of Ca
pacity on Guiteau's part had reduced his law
practice to the collection of bad debts. Guteau
| WINGED, and broke OUT with 81 brought a
| great many suits, and I generally gave
them all they wanted on the other side. :"
| Further along in'his speech, speaking of the
| prisoner, Mr.. Scoville used the term mentally
incompetent" whereupon Guiteau exclaimed:
"Not true, and can't be shown. 1 had brains
enough, but my mind was devoted to theology.
| That's why ran behind. There's no money
in the theology business" Scoville related a
story of Guiteau's life, when Guiteau said 81
heard that story before and 'tis absolutely false.
! Don't tell any such stuff as that again. II
Scoville then alluded to Guiteau's susceptible
ity to theinfiuence of woman, and said such was
his disposition in that respect that he would talk
to any woman as long as she would listen to
him. "That's not true" shouted Guiteau.
put notice in my autobiography that any
lady who wanted to correspond with me, who
wonld send her address, if she was all right,
would be we'll received, and to this notice
got response from a lady worth S1OO, 600.
That wasn't bad, was t2' General laughter.
Scoville continued: at is true, as he says,
that this notice brought one response which
shows there is one woman In the Unltec
States that probably has lost her reason, also.
This remark elected good deal of laughter
but not from the prisoner, who angrliy ex'
claimed: AZ wrot her two letters, and she
wrote two. You (Scoville) Suppressed the rest.
hen MIR. Scovile stated that although th'
prisoner had written three letters, he did no
mail them for him. 81 knew you had lice
about it," cried the prisoner in loud tone
"You can't fool me. I am going to follow her
[Laughter.l 1 knewy you lied about it, That i
not the first lie you have told" The Court tolt
e prisoner to be quiet. The District Attorne
zen said it was useless to refer to such mat
ter, because if there we're any such letters, the
could never reach the jury. "Let this ma
play his part when the time comes" he added
II am not playing part" Guiteau said, ges
ticulating wildly. 81 knew Scoville was lying.
And SO tho disgraceful scene went on the res
of the day until the court adjourned.
scoville, for the defense, concluded his al
gument on the nineth day, and the exaninatlo
of witnesses for the defense was begun Ir
terruptions by the prisoner were frequent
usual, and continued until the Court state
that if the prisoner should continue his intel