The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-01-11
The Guiteau Trial.
JUDGE COX DECIDES THE QUESTION OF JURIs


DICTI0N.
WASHINGTON, January 10.-The court
room was densely crowded this morning
when Judge Cox made his appearance, Il
great majority being newcomers, as was
evidenced by the general movement to catch
a glimpse OF the prisoner as he passed be-
fore them on his way to the dock. As
Guiteau passed his brother he whispered TO
him, "Come over to the dock want TO
see YOU about something OF great impor-
lance" Taking his seat, the prisoner laid
down large bundle of papers, and spread
ing out his manuscript busted himself in
looking it over.
Judge Porter began his argument shortly
after 10 O'Clock, and at once fixed the at
tention OF every one in the courtroom.
Guiteau pretended to be engrOsSed in his
manuscript. nut soon laid IL aside ana
listened with rapt attention. 1t is believed
that Judge Porter will speak until the hour
of recess. Nothing like it has been seen
or heard during the past nine weeks in the
Guiteau trial. As Judge Porter reviewed
the conduct of the prisoner and the con-
duet on the part OF his counsel, OF his
course in court, the crime in all its hideous
ugluess was held up to the dedication OF
his hearers.
The silence became oppressive, and the
presence Of avenging justice in the near
future was suggested with the force OF a
conviction that swept from the courtroom
every yestige OF that levity which has so
long danced attendance upon every utter
ance Of the prisoner, and like q veil OBJ
scured from the consciousness OF the spec
tators the horrors Of crime and what should
10 81 aolo 80 70 al afo
The prisoner WINGED and nervously twisted
in his place, and for several minutes
was unable to say anything that in any
sense could approach TO an interruption.
Gradually the prisoner gained his usual
assurance, and resumed his daily habit
Of interrupting with contradictions and
denials. For once, however, the insuflera-
BILE impudence OF the prisoner was over
come. Neither his noise nor his abuse
could interrupt or silence the avalanche OF
condemnation that swept from the lips Of
the eloquent counsel.
"The prisoner is mistaken, your Honor"
said Judge Porter, "if he believes by his
unseemly bewailing he can prevent my
voice from being heard by the jury. The
puppet cannot be moved in such good time
as when he sat with his counsel, and by his
hangman's moose about his neck"
With nervous twitching Of the mouth
Guiteau muttered: ave will see about
that"
Heretofore the audacious and wholly un-
abashed prisoner seemed i'll at ease and at
loss to understand why his would-be sal
lies Of wit and impudence wholly failed
with the audience, while the more severe
Al oto 90 hn oil No
more frequent and marked were the de-
monstrations Of approval. Finally, like a
wild beast brought to bay, Guiteau yelled
out 81 stake my life on the issue, and
Pm willing to 90 to the gallows tomorrow
II it Is the Lords will. Pm sick OF this
bosh, Judge Porter. wish you would
get your $4,000 and go home"
Judge Porter concluded his mastery ar
gument at 1l:40 by reading the now famous
letter Of President Garfield TO Judge Payne,
in which he complimented and thanked
him for banishing away the network OF So
phistries with which it has Of late years
been customary to envelop the plea OF in
sanity when set up in excuse for crime.
Judge Cox at 1l:45 began the reading OF
his decision, which begins with lengthy
review Of the subject OF jurisdiction.
Judge Cox occupied fifty-five minutes in
reading that portion Of his decision touch
ing upon the question OF jurisdiction. He
reviewed the progress OF opinion, and cited
all important rulings from the early days
OF common law in England, and decided
against the prayer Of the defence. He
summed up the question "that jurisdiction
Is competent in the place where the wound
is committed, consequently this Court has
full cognizance Of the offence"
Judge Cox next took up the question OF
the legal text OF insanity, and decided that
knowledge and appreciation OF the differ
ence between right and wrong must be
taken as correct.
Judge Cox concluded his decision at 1:25
p. NJ, having consumed an hour and
forty minutes, with rapid speaking upon
every material point. His rulings were
directly against the prayers OF the defence.
The only gram OF comfort for the
prisoner was offered when Judge Cox
reached the question Of reasonable
doubt. Upon this subject he said I:
al shall not charge the jury to
acquit II they find reasonable doubt as to
any one element, but shall take into con-
sideration and charge them relative TO all
elements. and that II, from all circumstances
and all evidence, they have reasonable
doubt OF the commission by defendant OF
the crime, az charged, then they shall ac-
quit"
AS Judge Cox finished speaking Guiteau