Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1881-12-26
TRIAL OF TIE ASSASSIN.
Guiteau C~riticIses the Conformation
OF Judge Porter's Mouth-He
Denies That He Is q Criminal.

OF Judge Porter's Mouth-He
Denies That He Is q Criminal.
WASHINGTON. December 24.--Colonsl
Reed. Scovills and j. ". Guiteau were
in consultation half an hour yesterday
before tho opening Of the court.
DR.. Stearns took the stand and Sco-
Vile resumed his cross-exsmination re.
lative to The various forms Of insanity.
Witness stated that the faculty Of
memory was generally the first to show
impairment In most all the forms Of in
sanity.
scovills-Do you agree with the last
witness. that insanity 10 always IN out
ward manifestation Of . diseased braini
Judge Porter objected to the form Of
the question. and insisted that the de-
Tense should observe the same rule that
the prosecution had adhered to Of letting
each witness testify to what he knew,
and not found az argument upon the
evidence OF another.
Guiteau-You n getting excited.
Porter.
scovills-I must say Judge Porter can
make the most Of nothing Of any man I
ever saw.
After further questions relative to
brain diseases, Scovills asked: els It
true that such diseases can always DO
detected by an examination Of that or.
GAM"
Answer-I can only state that there
have been cases Of brain diseases where,
upon examination after death, no lesion
Of the brain was detected.
Witness was about 10 make further
observations just as Soovills proposed .
question.
Porter TO witnsss)-Go on, doctor,
and finish your answer.
Scovills--wsll. hold on Q minute. We
would like to know who Is conducting
this trial. Is II you or II
Porter-I assume that the Court IL
conducting the trial. and TO the Court /
shall appeal for the enforcement OF the
rules OF practice. The witness 10 y
Of the most noted scientists OF this ooun.
try. ami You must not attempt to treat
him as q sohoolboy. I will not permit II.
Scoville with some warmth)-Well,
let Us see about 1t. Mr.. Judge Porter.
Guitsau chimed in with q bit Ut Porter.
but without raising his eyes from . pam
phlet which he was pretending 10 read.
A broad grin .overspread his features.
He seemed to enjoy greatly the storm OF
angry words.
Judge Coz interposed with . few
smooth words. and the examination pro-
ceeded for some time without incident.
When Porter again protested that SEQ.
vile should not be permitted to rebuke
the witness. Scovills said: ~ can see no
occasion for your speech. I have neither
rebuked the witness nor had occasion to
do so."
This sort Of by.play lasted for q long
time, Guiteau taking Q part. As the
witness was about to retire, Guiteau
said: "Allow me to ask u you hold the
opinion that o man cannot DO insane in
q specific act without having q diseased
brain?"
Scoville assented to the question.
Witness said insanity meant q disease
Of the brain.
Guiteau-Another question
But Judge Porter suggested to the
witness that he hold no colloquy with
tho criminal.
Guiteau (angrily) I'm no criminal
any moro than you are. I'm here as
my own counsel. and I have as much
right to speak as you have. Wait until
I am convicted before you call me .
criminal. ! stand . great deal better
outside than you do. Plenty Of people
will say that I am q bigger man than
Old Porter.
Corkhill suggested that II this abuse
was permitted the prosecution would in.
sist that the prisoner DO removed to the
dock.
Judge Co1-Tbs Court has already
considered the advisability Of such .
course.
Guitsau-Ths Court has NO discretion
in the matter. Isppesr here a. my own
counsel, In accordance with law and
usage In every State In the country.
Ths incident was evidently not with
out effect upon tho prisoner, who seems
TO realize, now that he has boldly assert
cd that be 10 perfectly sane. that he will
DO held amsnable to the same rules Of
behavior a. q sane man.
DR.. Strong. OF Cleveland, who visited
Guiteau In bis cell. was about to testify,
when Guitsau said: doctor, let me cut
this short by saying that I'm 10 a. good
physical condition as you are"
Judge Porter demanded the interior.
ence OF the Court to stop tho prisoners
interruptions, and Scovills demanded
that Porter make some proposition in.
stead OF making speeches to the jury.
Porter excitedly said: "You have In.
suited q distinguished witness, and now
assume to dictate the management Of our
case."
Guitsau shouted back at Porter. while
the latter was most impressively address.
Ing the Court, and neither could be
heard.
Judge Cox. securing silence. stated
that while be did not desire to act hastily
he should punish the prisoner for on
tempt IL he again t%ransgrsssed the
bounds o! propristy.
Guiteau said he didn't appear a. an
ordinary criminal, but as his own ooun.
sci.
Reed tried to get q categorical answer
from the witness on q Hypothetical case.
and a sharp colloquy between Reed and
Porter ensued.
Guitsau INTERCEPTED. "Portsr. you've
got q mouth like an old catfish. You'll
bring up in o lunatio asylum" He soon
after informed the witness that hs was
the stupidest one yet, and Is be stepped
down said. "Now 60 and get your $500