Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-12-14
THE GUlTEAU TRIAL.
MENTAL UNSOUNONesS AND CRIMINAL
RESPONSIBILITY.
Continuation of the Testimony-The Drift
Against the Prisoner-Men Not Born
Insane-Expert Testimony-Con-
tnued Interruptions.
HURLING EPITHETS AT THE COUNSEL.

| the Guiteau case, while probably the
best that could be done under the deS-
| perate circumstances, has resulted dIff,r-
emily, if we may judge from our dis
| patches, from what was anticipated.
| Mr.. Scovillc's conviction that Guiteaus
insanity could be most plainly demon
strated by letting him have full oppOr-
tunity to make an exhibition of HIM
| self in court has been to q certain extent
| justified by the result. Few people WHO
have followed the trial at all now doubt
| that the prisoners mind is unsound TO n
| greater or less degree; but his revelation
of his mental and moral pcculiarities,
| in court and on the stand, has had
the effect of giving to the jury
| what the prosecution most nceded-a
| living and moving and breathing Illus
| tration of the fact that mental unSOunl-
| ness and entire criminal responsibility
may exist side by side. Lawyers and
| physicians know this perfectly well, but
to the average juryman it is at first
startling proposition. Guiteau's eXhi-
| btiOns Of himself, however, make his
depravCd and criminal disposition quite
as apparent rs his want of balance, and
| the effect of this, instead of creating
sympathy, has been to produce positive
horror. If Guiteau had been kept in
close confinement during the entire
trial he would have probably stood "A
much better chance of escape than he
now does.
WASHINGTON, December l3.-Dr. Spitzka
resumed his testimony in the Guitcau case
to-day. Corkhill handed to witness a slip
Of paper upon which was drawn diagram
of the human head. and said: Now, doc
tor, supposing this to be the prisoners
head, will you please point out the Unequal
tiles to which you referred ycSterday?'
Before any reply could be made, Guiteau
raised laugh by saying: That accounts
for il. a halter came to see me this morn
ing and offered me new hat il | would let
him take NY head ! got the hat, but you
don't pay for it, Corkhill. Oh, no. the gov
ernment will have to do So"
Witness went on giving his reasons for
considering the prisoner insane. Upon
question being asked by Corkhill, Guiteau
broke in with, 81 have been looking up
your record, Corkhill. and I'll show you
up" Subsequently. Guiteau again inter
rupted the examination and shouted, 81 see
That Crank, Talmage,
has been doing the sensational business on
the case. He had better 90 slow. He has
been before his synod several times for
lying, and has the reputation in New York
for running for q house of PROSTITUTION.
have got my eye on several ~ these cranks,
and if they don't go slow I'll give some
more of them some free advertising. The
high-toned portion OF the American people
are beginning to take right view ol tins
case
Scovillc cndcavorcd to Introduce as evil
dence what he lScovillc had said in relation
to Shaw, the witness for the prosecution,
by asking witness tn state tO the jury what
he (ScoYillcJ had told him, or what witness
had learned in relation tO Shaw.
Objection was made and sustained, when
Guiteau shouted Out-Wc have found out
that
Shaw was Guilty OF Perjury
in New Jersey. and was told the judge
from the bench that he ought to be con-
viCted and sent To prison. We also know
that English WAS convicted Of II low crime
in Ireland The jury ought to know what
kind of witnesses you are bringing here TO
ruin my reputation.
Witness thought the proper way to sum-
mon experts would be for the Court to
summon them irrespective Of the chances
as to what their testimony might be.
Corkhil insisted that the witness had
attacked the character and honesty of the
experts who were supposed to entertain
opposite opinions from himself on the
prisoner 5 sanity.
Guiteau interrupted, in his most angry
mood, and shaking his head At Col. Cork
hill. shoutcd-ItS the unanimous judg
ment of the American people that you are
A Consummnte Jackass,
Corkhill. This gentleman is an honest
man, and if your skull was not 50 thick you
would see il.
Witness desired to explain his position,
and said, 81 do not hesitate To rrltcrate my
opinion that the expert who will, in this
court, testify that the prisoner is sane, IS
in my opinion, no expert, or dishonest
one"
DR.. Fordycc Barker, Of New York was
next examined. The audience listened in
tently as this distinguished physician dctin-
ed insanity and the several phases thereof.
DR.. BarkerS comprehensive and positive
conclusions were all i'll accord with the the
orv Of the prosecution:
Judge Cox requested him to explain TO
the jury what hc meant by
Irresistible Impulse.
The answer WAS "PcrvcrSiOnS of emotions
to such a dcgrccc rs to produce conduct en-
tirely at variance with the indivlduaIS
former life, and to such degree as 10 COM
pctcly control the will power. would con-
stitute an irresistible impulse"
Guiteau-DuctOr, want To ask you, where
a man is impCllcd 10 commit Crlmcb by I'M
pulse that lac cannot resist, is he sane or in
sane?
Answer-Whcn that fact can be proved,
sir, il is insanity.
Guiteau-That's just my case sir; with
an air of perfect satisfaction. Then, turn
ing to SCovillc, said, Come, that's the
whole case, let's have recess. I'm getting
hungry"
Mrs. SCovillc desired to ask a question.
Guiteau, impaticntly--Oh keep still. It's
all they can do to put up with one.
Judge Cox asScnted, and Mrs. Scoyille
asked, can man be born insane?
Answcr-No, Madame; he could be born
an idiot or an imbccile. Insanity IS ah
acquired state after birth.
Recess.
After Recess,
l.. s. Gobcll. OF New York, took the witness
stand.
Guteau-"If your Honor please, ! would
like to know what they expect to prove by
this witness. think We have had about
enough Of this kind of testimony. / only
knew this man slightly.
Judge Cox-It is not necessary TO state III
advance. Go on Mr.. Witness
Witness was in the life insurance busi-
ness. The prisoner desired to solicit Tor
him. Witness paid him 50, 6ut never
prisouer told witness he was about TO
marry wealthy lady, and was to have the
Australian mission. and wanted to borrow
500. Witness did not detect any evidence
OF unsOund mind.
Only "a Poor Clerk.
II, T. Kctcham, 0f New York, attorney
ot.lgw, knew the prisoner in 1873, when he
occupied dc.k in the Office Of Judge
Uawcs Witness related an instance OF
Guitcau obtaining money under false pre-
tences.
Scoville objected to oil testimony gong
to show the commission of any other crime
or misdemeanor by the prisoner.
Guiteau, Indignantly never got cent
from this man in my life. He was only a
poor clerk. didn't consider him a proper
associate for high-toned lawyer, like my
self.
The prisoner continually interrupted and
insisted that the evidence was entirely n
-,I.uont ,rj finally turning To ScDylllp,