Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-12-13
TRIAL OF 6uITEAu.
A Horse Doctor Produced BY the
Defence.
He Pronounces Guiteau Insane
The Assassin Continues HIS Out
rageous Antics.

WASHINGTON, Dec II.
The fifth week Of the Guiteau trial was
entered upon this forenoon, with undated
interest on the part of the public. Among
the spectators were several Congressman.
DIR. John .. Andronaux, commissioner of
of lunacy of New York, and Horace May
nard, ex-postmaster general, occupied seats
upon the bench with Judge Cox, with the con-
sent Of the counsel for the prosecution.
Scovile called for the defence, Edward
Charles Spitzga of New York. The witness
examined the prisoner in Jail, yesterday, and
was satisfied he is insane: he examined his
eyes and pulse and found both of them nor
NAL and healthy. Did not consider the ex
animation relevant, but made them simply
as a matter of record.
The witness cons idered the main features
Of the prisoners case to be a tendency to the
formation of delusive opinions, morbid pro-
jects and a strong indication Of imbeclity of
Judgment And WHILE" said the witness,
II have no evidence than the expression Of
his face. 1 should have no doubt that he is a
moral imbecile or moral monstrosity.
Scoville then read to the witness hypoth-
etical questions based upon the prisoners
cratic life and conduct and that there was
not other adequate motive for his action of
shooting the President than the firm deusiOn
that it was necessary for the good of the
country and asked il in his, the witness
opinion, the prisoner was sane or insane on
the ID of July. The witness declined to an
swer any hypothetical questions in cases
here he had made a personal examination.
The witness considered the prisoner insane
when he examined him; he believed that he
must have been in more OF less of a morbid
mental state throughout his life. and that he
was probably insane on It. I'd of July. The
where and when he graduated in medicine,
and he replied from the University of New
York in 1873. The cross examination was
pointedly directed to the witness As to his
practice and standing as an expert. and en-
Quires were made as to the witness position
as a professor at a veterinary school.
Scovillc objected to the question az not
pertinent.
Davidge replied; The attainments of this
witness has been paraded by the counsel on
the other side, and it is decidedly pertinent
to this case to discover what opportunities
| for professional requirements the witness has
enjoyed.
Scoville noted an exception The witness
hal no reason to feel ashamed of his sphere
of duty in that connection: the branch of
inquiry pursued by him had also engaged the
attention Of Huxley, Cuvier, and other noted
| scientists.
| Davidgc Yes, but your treatment at that
time must haze been confined mostly to
horses, and these gents there, are what are
known as horse doctors. are they not.
Witness, reddening and with some excite
ment, My treatment has been confined to
ssses. Whenever an ass with two legs asks
a stupid question endeavor to treat him as
he deserves.
The witness stated that he visited the Jail
under the assumed name of Prof. Brown. the
phrenologist; he desired to take the prisoner
unawares, and so pretended TO make ply
Geological examination. The witness then
gave an account of his interview With Quit
eau, and summed up as the result of his in
vestigation that he found the prisoner pos
sessed of a good memory. with the attain
ments of a third-rate SINISTER lawyer in a
criminal court. and firmly impressed with the
belief that he had sacrificed himself for the
good of the American people that he parried
questions the answering of which might in
jure vanity and egotism. and changed the
conversation frequently TO subjects which
would give him an opportunity to lsud his
position and exploits. The witness WAS
asked if the prisoner was able to distinguish
between right and wrong.
He declined to express an opinion as to his
moral responsibility. but from this examins-
ton Of the prisoner, he was Of the opinion
that since he has been a LAWYER. he has al
ways known ordinary legal consequences of
criminal acts.
Guiteau, (interrupting, IL haven't been
lawyer for five years, Judge. Ask him if !
was responsible for my acts on the End of
July.
The witness would not undertake to ex-
press decided opinion to the mental con-
dition of the prisoner July I'd, other than
presumably that he has always been of
morbid mind. Witness thought depravity
might tincture morbid projects. but did not
think the prisoners behavior consistent with
with the theory that depravity vas the father
of the act in killing the President
Guiteau-There was no depravity about
this business at all and think it is q burn
ing shame for the prosecution to harp upon
the word ''depravity." I've been a consist