Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-12-24
Guiteau Insuferably Insolent.
WAsHINsroS. Dec. -.


The court room was comfortably filled, but
not crow ded, this morning. The fair sex for
the first time were in II decided minority
Immediately upon the opening, Guiteau,
without any show of excitement. said:
1T is said have been abusing Scoville
Now the fact of the matter is, want to make
a speech about that. Scoville is doing very
well in this case, considering his theory but
he is not a criminal lawyer; he is fine ex-
aminer of titles. he can tell you all about
your abstracts of titles he is a good fellow
and first class examiner of titles. but | can
not have Scoville here compromising my
case. There is no lawyer In the court room
but knows he has asked questions for the de-
tense which have been positive injury to
the defense. | cannot sit here when INV
life is at stake. and have him compromise
my case in this way. MY friend. Chas. II.
Reed, who was for twelve years district
attorney at Chicago. and first-class Lawyer,
has very kindly consented to assume charge
of this case. and | introduce him to your
honor, the jury and the American people.
He is good fellow. Scoville is good fell
low, tee, and want him to continue in the
case and help me in every way"
Scoville arose to a personal explanation,
stating the difficulties under which he had
labored. and his disappointment at not re-
ceiving the assistance he had expected from
certain eminent counsel. He asked that the
court would pass upon the propriety of Mr.
Reed assuming the active duties of associate
counsel in this case.
Judge Parker thought it would be entirely
out OF place for the court 10 be asked to rule
upon such n proposition. and speaking for
the prosecution, he promised no objection TO
Reed. and no criticism of his course in be-
coming counsel for the defense.
Judge Cox-l think that is sufficient.
have privately stated that | saw no objection
to such a course on Reeds part.
Col. Corkhill-It's absurd to talk about
it, Reed has been assisting all the way through
and has not been out of the court room.
Mr.. Reed, Quietly,-That is not true. Mr..
Corkhill.
Guiteau-Oh, Corkhill can't tell the truth
anyway. Mr.. Reed has quietly assisted just
AS scores of lawyers have done in the interest
Of truth and justice; that's what we are here
for.
After some discussion bet~eeu the
counsel relative to striking out Ger
tain portions of DIR. Damon's testimony.
Corkhill was about to call a witness, when
Guiteau broke out excitedly: There's a
vast amount of rubbish getting into this case
that has nothing to do with it. l want tn
condition of my mind on the I'd of July. You
can't tell what is going on now in that fore
mans mind OF in Judge Cox's. How can
you tell what was in mine on the I'd of July?
All this nonsense about whether I'm insane
now or was FIVE years ago, has nothing to do
with the case
Striking the table and becoming more and
more excited, he continued: Ii can't get
justice here expect an act of God for my
protection. He has taken away the wife of
one Of the Jurors, for which am very sorry,
and il necessary, He will take one of those
Jurors right out of the box to save my life, in
the interest of truth and justice.
Scoville explained in regard to the letter
of Dr. Spitzka, which was opened and COM
mented upon yesterday. by Guiteau. He
stated that the letter was addressed to him
(Scoville) and not to the prisoner. He knew
it would be commented upon by the prose-
cution, and that DIR. Spitzka had written to a
man he had said under oath was insane. and
he (Scoville) desired that the court and jury
should understand just how it occurred.
VIM. A. Edw ards, of Brooklyn, testified
he was clerk in Mr.. Shaw's Office, and over
heard conversation between his employer
and the prisoner, when the latter, as alleged
by Shaw, said he would some day kill "some