Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1882-01-13
TEE ASsAssIs's TRIAL.
>Dayidge Makes the "virtuous" Mur.
\derer Wlncs-fhe First Ceneep.
ton OF the Crlme-Analysis Of
Guiteaub Character.

GulIeauB Cnafacters
WASHINGTON. January 13.-As soon
as the Court was called to order, Dav-
idge took Q position in front Of the jury,
and opened his argument with q dis
claimer Of any intention to make q set
speech. but to express q simple desire 10
render the jury what aid hs could in
their present and solemn duty. The
time had now como in this trial whom
the jury were to become the chief fac
tors. Whatever disorder or lsvity might
have characterized the trial. there wal
but one sentiment in respect to the con-
duct Of the jury. All commended their
disniaed department and close and pa.
tient attention to the evidence, and hs
could not doubt that Is they had 70.
csived the commsndation OF all In the
past, they would continue to deserve It
in the future by their decision Of the
question before them. As Davidss
traced the process Of reasoning by which
the prisoner gradually reached the con.
viction that ''but n life interposed be-
tween himself and possibly great bsns.
fits," Guiteau became restless, and for
the first time since the opening Of the
Court indicated. by q nervous twisting
about. the usual preliminariss Of the in
t~erruptions which, In this instance.
quickly followed. "Not %oitsn," said
Davides. ''in the record Of heinous
crimes do VI have such plain and point
ed evidence % to the first conception OF
the crime q In this case. The sugges-
ten came to the wretch in the night, -
no was lying in bed"
ct came to me when the Lord got
ready to have It," snarled the prisoner.
Davidge continued: "This thought or
suggestion came to him on the 18th OF
May. Still thinking he might obtain
the Office he sought he kept his hands
clean. Ho made another effort on the
2Sth OF May to induce the President"
Guitsau called out from the dock: ~
would not have taken Q foreign mission
after the LIST. Judge. II II had been Of.
fered to mo-"
Davidge. apparently not needing him:
ION the 28th Of May"
Guiteau-I am talking about the 1st
OF June.
Davidgs (psusing q momsnt) - Just
listen to him.
Guiteau (sneerinely)-They will listen
to you. but your talk 10 30 weak 1t Is
hardly worth listening to.
For several minutes Guiteau continued
to interjsct his comments with the evil
dent intention Of annoying Dsvidge,
but finding that he could not effect this.
he finally subsidized into complete silence.
'In the beginning" said Dayidge,
cit was sought to show that the prisoner
was of his balance. Now, the Court
tells you to look for that degree Of in
sanity that disables q man from know.
ing that what he was doing vas wrong.
This 10 the test you are to apply. Upon
the question Of inspiration, I think I
shall be able to show to your satisfac.
ton how little there is in this absurd
claim. The only question was that Of
insanity" He then argued that the
prisoner had that degree Of intelligence.
loyal knowledge and moral sense which
renders him responsible for his acts. 10
q telling speech he showed that the pris-
onsr himself had the wit to see the fatal
weakness OF Scoville's line OF defense.
aud ~repudiated it-arguing, in his own
behalf, that be was no imbecile, but q
sane man, whose will and intellect had
been dominated during o specified period
Of time. rendering him irresponsible for
this particular crime. He then reviewed
the circumstances Of the crime and the
victim and the criminal. His analysis
OF Guiteau's character was graphic and
effective. "If." he said, ~ were TO sum
up the moral and intellectual qualities OF
this man. I should say that he had the
daring OF the vulturs combined with the
heart Of q VOLT" In speaking Of Gull
teau's plan, no remarked upon his
greater fear OF o mob than Of the law,
and exclaimed: 1--WE must say, to our
shame, that this estimate had founda.
ton. It rested with the jury to show
the world whether Guitsau's opinion
was we'll founded"
Recess.
Upon the reasssmbling Of the court
Davidge considered in order each mem.
Der Of the Guitesu family whose mental
condition had been considered here; but
the unanswerable expert testimony, be
said, showed how much effect this COL
lateral insanity could have on the mental
condition Of the prisoner. II 10 q hollow
mockery to discuss this.
Guitsau shouted : 81 have always
been a Christian man, and for six years
have been strictly virtuous. Don't for.
get that either"
Davidge continued: "Thsre 10 not Q
single fact to show that the prisoner was
not perfectly responsible for his act on
the I'd Of July. The jury will find that
the defense has carefully picked out and
held up 10 view everything In the entire
career OF this man which may be con
sidsrsd odd or peculiar. and II Is for you
to consider how much value can DO at.
tached to this evidence when you come
to consider whether this man did not
know on the % Of July tbatit was wrong
for him to kill the Chief Magistrate Of
this Union. Davidse took up the Oneida
Community and spoke Of Guitsau's wal
lowing there for six years.
Guitsau shouted : "And / say 1t 10
false. I didn't wallow. I'm just - pure
as you are. Davidse. and q good deal
purer. / went there to save my soul
from lust. Put that down, DavidRs,