The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-11-23
THE DEFENSE.
Guttteau May be Insane bui
EcOviIle Is Mos.
Making q Strong Case for the
Prisoner.
Who Continues to Interest
the Crowd.

w h6nl0RtOny ZZ.-ln6 prison van IN
which Guitteau was conveyed to court
this morning, was escorted by six
mounted policemen, in addition to two
officers who rode upon the van. The
trip was made without incident. After
reaching the prisoners room Guitteau
partOok of hearty breakfast and ex-
pressed himself satisfied with the police
Arrangements made to insure safety. He
thought the same precautions should have
been observed at the outset. The court
room was crowded in every nook and
corner. Guitteau was in the court room
som after 9 o'clock, and obtained sub
poenas for six additional witnesses. None
of the gentlemen publicly invited by
Guitteau to assist in the defense have not
yet reported. It is understood, however,
that Seville expects TO secure the SER
vice Of Trude. of Chicago, later in the
week.
Several medical experts summoned by
the defense are in attendsn ce this morn
ing, among them DR.. Rice, of Wiscon-
sin, who has long known the prisoner,
and who, it is said, advised his commit
ment to an insane asylum four years ago
on the ground OF emotional insanity.
Guitteau was brought into the court
room shortly after 10 o'clock and SEQ
vile resumed his argument. He called
the attention Of the jury to the plea set
up by the defense, insanity, and discussed
at great length the growth and changes
of public opinion upon the subject of in
sanity and its treatment by courts when
set up as defense in criminal cases..
He cited numerous rulings in several
noted cases. He claimed the plea of in
sanity having been set up by the defense
the burden Of proof rests with the prose-
cution.
There was much ground TO indicate
Guitteau's insanity. Why, said SEQ vile,
even President Garfield said, why
did this man do it? He must be insane. "
sane.
Col. Corkhill here arose and with
much emphasis said, IF you will
allow me, Mr.. ScoYille, the President
never said he thought he was insane. He
has said under oath he believes him
sane.
Scovills explained that he spoke from
information derived from newspapers
and would not take issue on the state
ment. He then took up the history of
the Guittesu family. who were Of HUI
genot extraction, and who had, he said,
retained to the present day, as marked
characteristic, the sturdy adherence to
religious convictions which caused the
expatriation of the Hugenots. He as
serted that insanity was hereditary in
the family.
At one point in the argument. SEQ
vile, in dstailing the more enlightened
treatment OF. the insane in vogue at asy-
lums said: l wish those in charge Of
asylums would act with little more
reason than do the inmates. This sally
seemed to amuse Guittesu immensely,
and broad smile broke over his features,
and reappeared two or three times, as if
his mind reverted back to it. Scoville
alluded TO the prejudice which undoubt-
edly existed against the plea Of insanity
generally, and especially in the case of
the prisoner. He said the newspapers
had intimated that Guitteau was only
feigning insanity, and such seemed the
general theory of the public. Guitteau
turned uneasily in his chair, and with
nervous articulation said: 81 never feign;
l act myself, sane or insane" Without
noting the interruption, ScOville alluded
to the arrest Of man ct the time OF Pres
ident Hayes inauguration, who was seat
to the asylum. This man as he said, had
as carefully made his arrangements to
kill President Hayes. as did Guisteau to
kill President Garfield, and but for
his arrest might have succeeded.
He went on to give the story of Guitteau's
life in detail; Guitteau appeared satisfied
until Scoville plainly intimated that
lack of capacity on Guitteau's part had
reduced his practice to the collection OF
bad debts. Guittesu WINGED and broke
out with, 81 brought great many suits,
and generally gave them all they wanted
on the other side" after moment of
quasi explanation to the prisoner, Sco-
Vile was about proceeding, when Gui-
teau apparently appeared pleased, waved
his hand pleasantly to Scoville and ssid,
Go on, Mr.. Scoville; that's an interest.
ing story and is correct in detail" Con-
Scovile said in effect that Gui-
teau made good living and supported
his family all this time, and paid his
debts. Guitteau broke in with, 81 had
first class references, as we'll as my per-
sonal appearance, and so 1 got business.
Besides that, had no bad habits of any
kind.' To illustrate Guitteau's freaks as
an Indication of insanity Scoville related
his ram bling attempt at q speech on q
certain occasion when he had been as
signed by the court as counsel for pris-
oner on trial. Guittesu again in 81 ex-
cited manner said, THAT'S absolutely
false. l never tried a case with Charlie
Reed in my life. / don't want to inter-
fere with your theory, but your facts are
false. YSat the Jury to understand nv
peeuliarities that's ali right. There are
= good many people who will swear 1
am insane"
Recess.
After recess Scoville continued upon
the same line Of illustration, frequently
using the expression of mental incom-
potency" Gultteau fretted at the slight
est imputation of lack of brain power,
and his intense egotism showed itself in
his frequent Interruptions. At one time
he exclaimed, taking exceptions TO the
statement of Scoville, "Not true and it
can't be shown that I always tell the
truth" and again he broke in, II had
brains enough, but my mind was devoted
to theology. That is why ran behind.
There is no money In the theology bust
ness. I'm out Of that now" Scoville,
continuing to spesk Of his impecunieus
condition at that time, as shown by his
clothes, when Guitteau interrupted with
g show of impotence, 81 was always
we'll dressed. Don't put that in" Sec
willie related an incident in Guuteau' a