Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-01-18
Guiteaul,S Trial,

defense. He was followed by Corkhill and
Davidge for the prosecution. The prisoner, who
appeared rather nervous and anxious, followed
tho arguments with the closest attention, and
indulged in frequent and noisy comments. He
said, "I want one hour to speak to the Jury,
and when they hear me that 0il vindicate me.
can say more in an hour than Scoville in q
day. There are Christian men in that jury, who
will know the truth of my words. I was i'm
PEELED by the Deity to remove the President
and they will see how this WAS when they hear
my speech. It will cover the entire case. It
will show how brainy I am, and prove that the
Deity never selects fool to do His work. That's
all there is in this"
Forty-second Day.-Judge Porter began his
argument shortly after 10 O'clock. and at once
fixed the attention OF every one in the room.
Guiteau pretended TO be engaged in his manu-
script, but soon laid it aside and listened with
wrapt at! t!ention. Nothing like it had been seen
or heard during the nine weeks of the trial.
The prisoner WINGED under Porter's scathing re-
marks, nervously twisting in his place, and for
some time was unable to say anything that in
any sense could approach to an interruption.
however he gradually regained his usual assur-
ance, and resumed his daily habit of interrupt
ing with contradictions and denials. Porter
concluded his mastery argument at 11:4O by
reading the now famous letter of President
Garfield to Judge Payne, in which he compi-
mented and thanked him for brushing away the
network of sophistries with which it has of late
years been customary to enveiop the plea Of in
sanity when set up in excuse for crimes. Judge
Cox Immediately read his decision. occupying
forty-fve minutes in its delivery. He decided
against the defense on the question of jurisdic-
ton, holding that jurisdiction is complete in
the place where the wound was inflicted. In
regard to the legal test of insanity, the Judge
decided that knowledge and an appreciation
of the difference between right and wrong
must be taken az the correct test. His rulings
we're directly against the prayers Of the de.
the Judge said: 81 shall not charge the jury to
acquit if they find reasonable doubt as to any
one element, but shall take into consideration
and charge them relative to the clements, and
that if, from all the circumstances and evi-
dence, they have reasonable doubt Of the CON-
mission by defendant of the crime as argued,
then they shall acquit." Adjourned until the
18th
Forty Mird Day Judge Davidge, of coun-
sci for the prosecution, opened his closing
argument to the jury on the 18th. He re-
viewed the testimony of witnesses in q forcble
manner, and Guiteau became very restless dur
ing the speech. A stormy scene occurred over
the jury. Judge Cox did not decide to allow
him to make a speech, but told Scoville to read
over the address and let the court know if there
was anything in it that he desired to 90 before
the jury. When Davidge objected to allowing
Guiteau seat at the counsel's table the audi
ence applauded, and the prisoner sprang to his
read my speech, and they are greater than this
court. The American people are trying this
case. II you undertake to put on gag-law, the
court in banc will right me. My speech will
make eight columns, and it reads like an ora
ton Of Cicero. It will 60 laundering down the
ages-and don't you forget. And as for you,
ILL -
you" Mrs. Scoville was deeply affected and
wept hysterically.
Fort: fourth day.-Davidge concluded his re-
marks, occupying the entire day in their de-
livery. The prisoner, although he started ont
at the opening With public apology to Davidge
for having abused him the day previous, broke
in frequently and annoyed the speaker very
80 troublesome that Davidge paused for a
moment and said: II trust, gentlemen, You
will not draw an inference from the fact do
not take any occasion to reply to any of these
falsehoods (turning his head toward the prison.
cry that are being uttered here" When the
speaker had finished Guiteau said: II thank
you, Mr.. Davidge, for your speech, it is very
one too. He had better see President Arthur
before he commences. wrote the President
about the matter day or two ago." Col. Reed
stated that he would prefer to begin and end
without break, and thought he could finish
all he had to say by o'clock next day. Ad-
journed,
Forty:titm Day.-At the opening of court on
the fourteenth inst, Scoville asked the judge
whether the prisoner would be allowed to
speak in his own defense, to which Judge Cox
replied: II should be 10th in = capital case to
deny any man proper opportunity
to be heard. even it he is Represented by
counsel; but in this case it is safe to assume
that the prisoner will abuse the privilege. as
he has done all through the trial, and that
what he would say would be highly improper
to go before the jury. shall therefore deny
him the privilege. As said yesterday. how
ever, if his counsel desire to read from his
manuscript anything which they deem proper
to be laid before the jury, they can do So"
Reed then arose and addressed the jury in be-
half of the prisoner. The judges decision de-
nying Guiteau permission to read his speech to
the jury emhittered toe prisoner, aud inter-
ruptions and remarks became more savage
than before. Reeds speech was an able effort
aud delivered with great oratorical effect. It
held the attention Of the jury, the court and
the audience, and though the majority Of his
hearers did not agree with opinions by him.
they still gave him credit for pleading . bad
case. .&--s.-: .=-.-.-.-. - " d..