Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-01-25
GuiteaU,S Trial.

Forty-sirth Day.-Scoville began his closing
argument with confession of his unfamiliar
ity with the modes of practice in criminal
cases. All the defense asked for was a fair,
candid, impartial weighing Of the evidence by
fair and candid men. The counsel would at
tempt no oratory, because he was not equal to
it, and besides he would not do it if he could.
He would address himself simply to the reason,
judgment and intellect of the jury. Oratory,
eloqueuce and appeals to the passions he would
leave for the counsel who would follow him
Judge Porter. Scoville's remarks were very
cau5tic at times and drew forth few impatient
remarks from Porter and Davidge. The pris-
oner chmed in with his jabber as usual.
FOrty-seUerath Dayton the 18th inst. the
prisoner was allowed to make short harangue
at the opening of court. No attention was paid
to him, and Scoville then resumed his address
to the jury. He reviewed Guiteau's life, and
his entire argument was to show that the pris-
oner was insane. He denied that Guiteau had
ever been as morally corrupt as the prosecution
tried to make him out. Later on he read pas
sages from the prisoners speech, when the lat
ter called out: "You had better stop, Scovile; it
will go dead against your fool theory" Scoville
criticised the prosecution severely for not allow
ing the prisoner to address the jury, simply
because, as he said. they feared the prisoner
might disclose, by his manner of speech, his
true mental condition.
Forty-eigEth Ddy.-Scoviile continued his
argument and created profound sensation by
denouncing Grant, Conkling and Arthur as be-
ing morally and Intellectually responsible for
the crime committed by his poor, insane client.
During recess Scoville received a telegram an
nouncing that the New York court of appeals
had just decided that the prosecution where
some evidence of insanity is produced for de-
tense, must make out a case of insanity beyond
reasonable doubt. Guiteau exercised his
tongue repeatedly and seemed to be in the best
of spirits.
Forty-,airtb Day.-As soon as the prisoner
took his seat he delivered speech with POM
pous effort at oratorical effect, thanking the
New York court of appeals for their recent de-
cision in regard to the prosecution of alleged
insane people. Scoville resumed his argument,
occupying the entire day.
Fiftleth Day.-Scoville concluded his argu-
meut. Counsel for the prosecution withdrew
their objections, and the cour: announced that
Guiteau would be allowed to address the jury
in his own behalf. The prisoner not being pre-
pared, an adjournment was taken.
Fifty first Day.-Gulteau was given an OPP
portunity to address the jury. He prefaced
his remarks by saying that he would SIT down
because he could speak better, not that he was
afraid of being shot. He asserted that moth
ing could more strongly indicate insanity than
his shooting down the President, and if the
jurors believed him to have been the agent of
the Deity they must acquit. At one point he
broke completely down. and buried his face in
his handkerchief, Mrs. Scoville adding to the
effect by sobbing convulsively. After two
hours of oratorical effort he said with great
solemnity that if hair of his head is
harmed the nation will go down in blood.