Morris tribune., 1881-11-24
GUITEAU THE ASSASSIN.
His Trial at acknowledgements III
Court Selection of Jurors.

GUITEAU THE ASSASSIN.
His Trial at acknowledgements in
Court Selection of Jurors.
Scenes at the Opening ofthe Trial-Appear-
ance and Conduct of Guiteau.
On Monday, 18th inst the day set for the
trial of Guiteau In Washington, after Judge
Cox had taken his seat, a rear door opened and
low, crouching figure, supported by two po-
icemen, was conducted into the room. The
policemen were inclined to be in hurry, but
it was difficult for the prisoner with his hand
cuffs on to wiggle through the crowd He
held his hands out in front of his breast, as
though offering them silently to the spectators
He hung his head little, and cast his eyes
quickly to the right and the left with fright
ened glance at the spectators. When the man
aoles were removed he seemed
TO be more at ease, and took
a seat beside his sister, Mrs. Scoville. The
court room was crowded. District Attorney
Corkhill, Porter of New York, and Davidge Of
Washington appeared for the prosecution, and
Scoville and Leigh Robinson for the defense.
Mr.. Smith was present to represent the attor-
ney general. One of Guiteau's first movements
was to thrust his hand in one of his pockets
and take out a roll of paper. Scoville, how
ever, in dumb play, ordered him to put it back,
and he did so. The district attorney declared
the readiness OF the prosecution to proceed with
the case. Robinson then arose to make plea
for still more time to prepare the defense,
which appeared not to meet the approval of
Guiteau. All the time that Robinson was speak
ing Guiteau was carrying on what appeared to
be remonstrance with Scoville, who was ap
parently trying to suppress him.
No sooner had Robinson taken his seat than
the prisoner rose and in an excited manner ad-
dressed the lower court and stated that he
wished to be heard. In vain Scoville endeaY-
ored to make him resume his seat and remain
quiet. He was irrepressible. In a nervous
but pretty distinct manner he proceeded with
his speech as follows:
was not aware that my counsel, Robinson,
intended this afternoon to make an application
for postponement, and desire to be beard
in my own behalf in this matter at the very
threshold Of this case. I am charged here
with a murderous attempt and desire to be
heard on my own behalf.
The Court-This is not the proper time to
enter upon the defense. The only question
before the court is whether further time should
be allowed counsel to prepare for the de-
fense
The Prisoner, (emphatically)-So far as I am
concerned, do not want further time; we are
ready to try this case now. CIo depty mar
shal, who endeavored to restrain the prisoner,)
Will you be quiet?
The COurt-The question is whether further
time ought to be allowed to counsel.
The Prisoner, (persistently)-I do not want
that, If the court please.
The motion for continuance was made, it
appears, without the knowledge of Mr.. Scoville,
counsel and brother -in-laW of Guiteau, and
there sprung up an altercation.between him and
Robinson, at the close of which Scoville said:
UNLESS the defense can go in harmoGiously
with me in it, 1 withdraw"
Guiteau again managed to get on his feet
just as scoville sat down, and exclaimed, with
motion Of his clenched fists:
81 endorse every word of that, and tell that
Robinson If he does not do the thing just as
want 1t done, he can get out of the ease. That
is the short of it,
Robinson rose to address the court: Guiteau
(persistently)-I do not want to hear anymore
speeches of Robinson. 1 want him to get out
putting him back into his seatl-Let me alone.
You have nothing to do with me here.
After some discussion between counsel
Guiteau here made another effort to get upon
his feet, but was restrained by the two deputy
marshals again, whose interference he op.
posed strenuously.
Scoville rose and attempted to speak
Guiteau persisted addressing the court, and
went on:
I want to say emphatically that Robinson
came into the case without my consent
knew nothing about him, and do not like the
way he talks 1 ask him premptorily [pro-
nOuncing this word ''premptarily' to retire.
expect in some time to have money to employ
any counsel that please. I am not beggar
nor pauper.
Guiteau, being made to resume
his seat, Scoville then again ex-
planned his position, in the midst
of Interruptions by Guiteau. Finally the work
Of obtaining the jury was begun and five jurors
have been obtained and sworn in. Their names
and occupations are as follows: John P. Hor-
ton, restaurant keeper; F. W. Bradenburg,
cigar maker; G. e. Stuart, flour and feed deal
er; 81. s. Bright, retired from business; Chas
q: Landley, grocer.
had been obtained, and a suggestion WAS made
by the district attorney to draw seventy-five
additional names from the box. The prisoner
at this point rose and informed the court that
he would like to make aspeech tomorrow fore
noon, but he was ordered by the court to take
script of his speech to news
paper reporter, but before the latter could
leave the court room Scoville called him back
and compelled him to return it This raised
the anger of the prisoner, who excitedly de-
clared he was not under the control Of his
counsel; that he was lawyer and knew the
law himself; that when he wanted help he
would ask for it and that he desired his speech
to be published for the purpose of influencing
public opinion. He was again silenced by the
court, and it having been agreed that the sit
ting of the court should be from 10 g. m. to 8
p m. daily, allowing half an hour for recess,
the court adjourned.
have convinced a few persons that he isreal-
ly crazy, but the general opinion is that he Is
OVERRIDING his acting, that the same shrewdness
with which he planned the assassination and
bis escape from the mob prompted him to his
line Of backing up his plea Of insanity by his
sctions.
TUESDAY NOV. l5.
The whole of the second day was occupied
in another effort to obtain jury. The five
Jurors sworn we're early in attendance.
The court was formally opened few minutes
after 10 O'Clock, and immediately afterwards
the counsel in the case and the brother and
After the lapse Sc of few minutes
Guiteau was hurried into the court room
in custody Of half dozen policemen and q de-
partment marshal His handouts were re-
moved, and he shook hands with his sister and
brother and took q seat reserved for him be-
tween them and his counsel Scoville then
submitted an affidavit and an application for an
order for an additional number of witnesses,
which order was made by the court Ali
the colored men and others
were peremptorily charged by Guiteau's coun-
sci and the result was that out of venire of
20 only four were taken making nine selected.
Guiteau behaved very sensibIy throughout the
proceedings. He sat in his chair from
the time his manacles were taken off until they
were replaced, talking excitedly from time to
time with his brother and his brother-in- law,
who sat on either side of him, but saying moth
ing which was audible to the court
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 16.
Three jurors were selected which made the
panel complete. The jury consists Of the fol-
lowing persons: John P. Hamlin. tall, sill
ver-haired, thoughtful conscientious
American, restaurant-keeper; Frederick W..
Brandenburg, little, excitable, black haired,
honest German, cigar manufacturer; Henry
A. Bright, broad shouldered, bright faced,
comfortable looking, keen witted American, a
retired merchant. The other Hine, Charles J..
Stewart; merchant; Thomas h Langley, gro
Ger; Michael Sheehan, grocer; Samuel F..
Hobbs, plasterer; Geo. W. Gates, machinist; /;
Ralph Wormley, laborer, W. 81. Brauner, gro
Ger; Thos. Heinline, machinist; and Joseph
men Of similar stripe. Wormley is
character. He is man Of natural ability,
very quick witted and well balanced.
All the jurors are intelligent educated, think.