Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-01-13

IN in order the case of each member OF tn,
Guiteau family, upon whose weak condition
evidence was ohtr red by the defense, and re
cited in connection the counter evidence o
the prosecution, summing up the force o
this evidence with the remark that thu
unanswerable testimony exposed settles tbs
| question OF how much effect this collatera
insanity could have upon the mental condi
ton Of the prisoner. 1t is but the meres
mockery to discuss this question, in view o.
the undoubted ability OF this man TO distin
guish between right and wrong"
Guiteau interrupted once, and shouted: "a
have always been Christian man, and fol
six years have been strictly virtuous Dom
forget that, either"
Dayidge continued: ''There is not single
fact or single iot or title to show that the
prisoner was not perfectly responsible for his
act on the 81 of July. The Jury will find that
the defense have carefully picked out and held
| up TO view every thing in the entire career
| OF this man which may be considered odd OF
peculiar, and it is for you TO consider how
much value can be attached to this evidence
| when you come TO consider whether this man
did not know on the I'd of July it was wrong
for him to kill the chief magistrate of the
nation" Davidge then took up the Oneida
Community and spoke OF Guiteau's wallow-
ing there for years.
Guiteau shouted, "And ! say it is false;
did not wallox. l am just pure as you
are Davidge, and good deal purer; | W. Mt
there to save my soul, not from lust. Put
that down, Davidge, and don't you forget it"
Davidge discussed the evidence OF Charles
Reed, who conversed with the prisoner Tues
day before the shooting, and who thought he
appeared "liule off his balance" and
''this. mark you" said Davidge, sis the ex-
tent OF his evidence as TO that day. lie was
never asked If he thought he was unable to
distinguish between right and wrong. Is it
80 very strange, gentlemen, that this prisoner
should have appeared queer when at that
very time he was carrying in his breast this
monstrous crime? This witness Reed"
Guiteau (interrupting)-" You'd better let
Reed alone, Davidge; he's bad man for you
to tackle"
DAyidge continued: "This witness Reed
again saw the prisoner at the Jail, as he says,
at the instance of Scoville. His evidence as
to that occasion is manufactured evidence"
Guiteau (again interruptipg, shouting in
braggadocio tones)-You'd better look out,
Reed is going to speak tomorrow; he may
tear you to pieces He's had lots OF expert
ence in Chicago handling such fellows as you
are, and he's sent some OF them to the State
prison.
Continuing, Davidge explained that in the
use of the term he meant no reflection on
Reed, but it was an easy thing Tor the pris-
oner after the act to strike the wall and sim
ulate insanity, for the benefit of the gentle
ID an who would shortly appear as witness
for the defense.
Guiteau-I never feigned insanity. | never
claimed to be insane after the I'd OF July. /
am as sane as you are, Davidge, and better
man, too.
Davidge-Do you hear that, gentlemen?
contrast that with what you have seen day
after day in this courtroom.
As Davidge proceeded to disintegrate the
evidence and argue it, worthlessuess Guiteau
interrupted. Once he called |
out, sarcastically: "You do not believe a
word OF that, Davidge; you're just talking
that stuff for money"
Davidge continued to discuss the evidence,
which he had arranged chronologically, and |
caused ripple Of amusement as he described |
career IN Boston. "Ihere Ii" he |
,aid, ain Boston, among other things land you /
must know it,you have simply TO visit Boston,, |
A temple or building erected BY the disciples or
in the doctrines of the atheist Tom
Paine" Davidge described the peculiar
conduct attributed to Guiteau when he lee
ured there to the fact that the company
we're out of accord with him, and their ridI-
,ule angered and disguised him, but he
Davidge) ridiculed the idea that anything
lad been shown by this evidence
o indicate insanity. Counsel dissected
With startling perspiculty the testimony OF
me witness after another, ana PoiDteu out
he worthlessness and unreliability OF those
opinions of witnesses for the defense, which
lad been based in many instances upon the
most meager acquaintance. Abiding to one
witness Daniels, OF Virginia., who had
leitheIi been asked nor expressed opinion
S to the prisoners sanity, Davidge said:
In my opinion he was their best witness, for
have infinitely more respect Tor man who
oes not express an opinion than for those
Tho qre so ready to express one with no data
pom which to base il
aIye lust nv speech out" called out Ggi-
eau. ssbnt Pm afraid II viii be month be
pre- 1 get a chance 10 deliver il, judging By
he way Davidge is going On.
The hour OF O'Clock having arrived,