The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1882-01-18
General News Summary.
Interesting Home and Foreign News.
rnIAL OF THE Assassin.

TRIAL OF THE ASSASSIN.
WHEN the court resumed the Guiteau
trial on the Eth, Mr.. Davidge, counsel for the
prosecution, took his place IN 'front.' of the jury
and opened the argument He said il was not
his intention TO make set speech, but ex-
dressed a simple desire to render to the jury
what aid he could in their present and solemn
duty. The time had now come in this trial,
said the speaker, when the jury is to become
the factor whatever disorder or levity might
have characterized the trial, there was but one
sentiment in respect to the conduct of the jury:
All commend their dignified department and
close and patient attention to the evidence. In
the beginning of this trial, continued Mr.. Da-
vidge, it was sought by the defense to show
that the prisoner was of his balance. Now the
Court tells you to look for that degree of insani-
ty that disables a man from knowing that what
he was doing was wrong. This is the
test to which you are to apply. Upon the
TO show TO you with satisfaction how little there
is in this claim The only question:. he said,
was that OF insanity" He then argued that
legal knowledge and moral sense which rend-
cred him responsible for the acts. The speaker
had the wit to see the fatal weakness of the
line of defense set up for him, and repudiated
it, arguing. in his own behalf, that he was no
imbecile, but a sane man whose intellect and
will had been dominated during specified
period OF time, rendering him irresponsible for
this particular crime. He then reviewed the
circumstances of the crime, the victim and the
criminal. His analysis of Gniteau's character
81 were 20 sum up the moral and intellectual
qualities of this man should say that he had
the daring OF ynit1re combined .I,ns with tns
his argument throughout the entire day, being
frequently interrupted by Guiteau, who con-
tended that he wanted to make the closing
speech. Judge Cox finally told Scoville to read
over the prisoners speech and let the Court
know If there was anything in it hedesired to
20 before the jury. Without stating whether
he would permit the prisoner TO speak or not,
the court adjourned
Mr.. DAvIDGE resumed his argument
in the Guiteau case on the 18th. He reviewed
the evidence of john w. Guiteau and other
witnesses for the defense, showing the fallacy
of Scoville's theory, that the prisoner was an
Imbecile. He then passed TO the examination
of the prisoner himself, what he had said upon
the witness stand, and what capacity of intel
iyeIy :" that % what bad gone before had ali been
II sham and hollow fraud Scovtne had
dilsted upon his morality and had assert
On the contrary he had shown upon the stand
a wonderful memory, logic, reason and intel.
claimed for him virtue and morality, the prose-
cution had availed themselves of their right TO
show the contrary, and what has been the re
sult2 He had been shown to be such a mon
ster of corruption, deceit, depravity and wick
edncss that the country looked on with a
shudder. Davidge skillfully and with won
dcrful effect reviewed that portion of the testi-
mony bearing upon the prisoners moral
this time. snid the counsel, no one has accused
him OF insanity. In the estimation of his
friends he is perfectly sane. In alluding TO the
of the prisoner. the speaker said the prosecu-
ton were debarred from entering upon those
condolences which exist between man and MS
family, and he was safe enough for all the
transactions of life; but when his hand is red
with blood, and outraged law claims him as a
sacrifice on the altar of justice, we hrst hear
of insanity Davidge closed his argument as
follows: LET no man say when he is tempted
/ am tempted of God; for God cannot be
fIOrs nnrN 10
man, but every man is tempted when he IS
drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then
when lust hath conceived il bringeth forth sin,
and sin when it is finished bringeth forth
death"
ScovmLE opened the Guiteau trial on
the 14th by asking whether the prisoner would
be allowed to speak in his own defense If
the Court proposedto to accord him that privilege
both he CScovillel and Reed would prefer that
he should speak first. Judge Cox said "he
man proper opportunity to be heard, even II
he is represented by counsel, but in this case
privilege as he has done all through the trial,
and that what he would say would be highly
improper to go before the Jury; II'5 shall there
day, however, If his counsel desire TO read
from his manuscript anything which they
can do so." Guiteau protested that he ap-
peared his own counsel, and claimed
the right as an American citizen to be
made no reply TO the TRADE OF the prisoner,
but nodded to Reed, counsel for the defense,
to begin his argument. Mr.. Reed, in opening,
said be should not endeayor to make any state
ment of evidence, or TO draw gilded picture
OF any scene, but he would simply talk with
them rs between neighbors. II does not re-
Qtire an expert said the speaker, to pro
nounce the prisoner insane, Hou have seen
him day after day shufiing in before youi you
have seen that strange, unnatural look OF his
eyes; and it requires the opinion of no expert
10 convince you that this is not the appearance
of sane man. In my opinion, II this poor crea-
ture is sent TO the asylum he will bea driveling
idiot within six months" The spoakeroccupied
the whole day i'm his argument TO the jury, go
ing over the testimony and reading from the
records, and in conclusion appealed: .Iadjure
you, gentlemen OF the jury, TO keep your oath.
Falter not in the performance of duty which
shall save you and this fair land from eternal
disgrace. 1 assert that the conviction
execution would be an infamy beyond
description-and an indelible stain on Ameri-
can Jurisprudence and American juries,
Think of the scene IL you condemn him to the
gallows. Though not present in the body
there IN &c in mind. If such day shall
ever come Cand do not believe it ever can
come under the evidenoel- think of this man,
brought ont from hls cell with the same pale
face, and the same weary, wandering eyes, the
.ng him, binding him with cords so that his
muscles stand out, covering him with a black
mood shutting out the light Of day from him,
and leading him TO the scafold-" Reed'sa arga-
mpnt was listened to with close attention and
evident interest from the beginning 10 its close.
with a handkerchief covering her race most of
the time TO conceal her tears. while her little
fiaurhter stood by her side, and by her caresses
sought to win her from her grief