Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-12-26

ALLOW me to ask if you hold the opinion that
man cannot be insane in a specific case
without having disease of the brain:
Sco,ille a>senfed to the question, and the
witness replied that insanity meant disease
vf the brain
Guiteau asked another question but Judge
Porter suggested To the witness that he hold
no colIoquy with the criminal
Guiteaa-f am no criminal any more than
you are. I'm here a. my own counsel
and have much right to speak you
have; wait till am convicted before you
call me a criminal. ! stand a great deal
better outside than YOU do. Plenty Of peo-
pie will Gay that 1 am 4 bigger than old
Porter
C"rkhill suggested that if this abuse was
permitted the prosecution would insist that
the prisoner be removed to the dock.
Judge Csx-The court has already consid-
cred the advi-abity Of such course.
Guitean-The court has no discretion in
the matter. ! appear as my own counsel, in
accordance with the Law and usage in every
state in the country.
The incident was evidently not without its
effect on the prisoner. who seems to realize
now that he has boldly asserted that he Is per-
fec,ly sane, and that he will be held amena-
bic to the same rules Of behavior as other
sane people
DIR. J. Strong, Of Cleveland Ohio, visited
the Jail and investigated the mental and bod
iy condition Of the prisoner.
As he was about 10 state the result of his
examination Guiteau looked up and said
Doctor, let me cut this thing short by say
ing I'm in good physical condition and as
sane a. Won are. There's a great deal of use
less rubbish being dragged into this case.
Lets cut il short.
Judge Porter again demanded the interfer-
ence of the court TO put a stop to the inter
ruptions of thu prisoner.
Scoville replied The counsel upon this
side will assent cheerfuly and readily to any
proposition you make. Only make your propo-
sition Don't make your little speech to
the jury now.
Judge Porter-''You have insulted the dis
tinguished gentleman upon the witness stand,
and YOU assume TO dictate the management
of our case.
At this point Guiteau again lost hi. temper
and discretion, and shouted back at Judge
Porter, while the latter addressed the court
in his most impressive manner. For few
minutes neither could be distinctly under
stood.
Judge Cox finally secured silence and
stated while he did not desire to act hastily,
he should punish for contempt, if the pris-
onsr again transgressed the bounds of pro-
priety.
Guiteau-Very well, your honor, I am
within the discretion of the court, but dom
appear here rs an ordinary criminal, and
your honor recognizes it. ! appear as my
Own counsel, and have so acted for the past
six weeks.
Reed then proposed ypothetical case of
defence, and asked if the witness could give
an opinion. The witness evaded direct
answer, and the counsel insisted upon a re-
ply A sharp colloquy ,nsued between Porter
and Reed, with side remarks from Guiteau,
such as Porter, you've got mouth on you
like an old cat fish, and shortly afterwards
Porter, you will bring up in a lunatic asylum
yet.
Judge Cox ruled that the counsel for the
defense could require categorical answer,
and the question was again and again put,
but each time witness insisted spon qualifca-
tons which eyaded the direct answer.
Guiteau sneeringly remarked: You are
the stupidcst fellow we've had yet
Reed finally said We'll, it you can't answer
the question you may step aside.
Guiteau shouted after the witness Now, go
and get your $500 and &C home.
DR. Abram VI Shaw. superintendent of
the Connecticut hospital for the insane at
Middleton, CT. was the next witness. He had
held the position for fifteen years, and had
previously, for fifteen months, acted as as
sstant physician at the Asylum at Auburn.
In the course of the examination, witness
stated that among insane criminals, egOtism
great vanity, and ignorance were marked
characteristics.
Witness stated he had made two examina-
tons of the prisoner in the Jail. TO discover
his mental and physical condition. and had
noticed the conduct of the prisoner in the
NJ, y.s.k haI ,,I tl,n
opinion that he is sane.
Gutcau-Sane now, but insane on the I'd
Of July.
Corkhill then asked: Assuming the facts
set forth in the questions which you have
heard read to be true do you think he was
sane or insane on the I'd of July?
Guiteau-lle don't know any1ing at all
about it.
Al think he was sane.
Recess.
After recess Col. Reed conducted the cross
examination of the witness. Guiteau inter-
rupted once and with some excitement said ::
These experts may be very honorable men.
but don't care a snap for their testim ony. |
wouldn't give q cent bushel for il, whether
for or against me.
Judge Cox-Be quiet prisoner. You have
promised to keep still.
Guiteau-All right, Judge, but wanted to
get that idea before the jury.
Witness stated that he did not think the
prisoner had been acting part or feigning in
court lie thought he had been acting purely
according to his own characteristics.
DIR. Orpheus Evarts, superintendent of the
private insane asylum at College Hill, Ohio,
was then called. He said that there is no
uniformity of head in either sane or insane
persons. The expression of the face while
some indication. is in no sense sure indi-
cation in determining the sanity OF insanity
of a person.
Witness had examined the prisoner in Jail,
and conversed with him, and had closely
watched his conduct during the course of the
trial. and had formed the opinion that the
prisoner on the I'd of July Was sane.
Objection was made by Mr.. Scoville, and
overruled and exception noted.
Guiteau-This is all rubbish. All this
nonsense is to prove that l am sane nav, and
ii has nothing to do with the I'd of July.
These experts have seen me since the trial
began. | don't claim now and didn't claim
when they saw me to be insane, consequently
they assume that was sane on the I'd of
July; it's all nonsense.
l-no, ,ba cross-examipation tho witness