Connecticut western news., 1882-01-18
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 THE TRIAL OF GUITEAU.
Incidents of the Case ana Testimony
 sSzs Given

Incidents of the Case ana Testimony
 -Fsz% Given MT. Davidge, for the prosecution, spoke in support of the rule of legal insanity as laid down by the judges of the English bench in reply to interro- gatories from the House of Lords. That rule, he contended, had been adhered to in England and in this country ever since. It required the defense to show that the accused person was unable to distinguish between right and wrong, in oader to establish his insanity.
 Guiteau frequently interrupted MT. Davidge's remarks, and when the latter cited Judge Davis's charge in the Cole man case, he shouted that the jury in that case returned verdict against the charge. He was very abusive, and he announced that he would settle the question in two hours speech to the jury.
 The jury were present during MT. Davidge's argument, but were absent during the afternoon, when the counsel for the defense were speaking. MT. Scoville commented upon this fact with some bitterness, and there was a sharp colloquy between counsel in regard to it,
 On Monday while arguing the law points the lawyers were not in good humor, and once Judge Cox had to stop a personal dispute between them. MT. Scoville found fault because the counsel for the prosecution bowed to the jury every day, and he intimated that it was intended to have an improper effect upon them. On Saturday MT. Scoville complained because the jury after listening to the legal arguments for the prosecution, were allowed to go out as soon as the arguments for the defense were begun. Monday this was reversed, the jury listening to MT. Scoville's argu- ment during the morning hours and quitting court in the afternoon when Col. Corkhill and MT. Davidge spoke.
 Guiteau frequently interrupted the speakers Monday, and said that he had many letters of sympathy from ladies that the Stalwarts of Brooklyn had sent him check for $1 GOO and the Stalwarts of New York check for $500, and he called upon other Stalwarts to send him checks. MT. Scoville says these checks are worthless, and he himself has re- ceived many like them.
 Judge Cox gave his decision upon the law points Tuesday, leaving the ground clear for the lawyers to make their ap- peals to the jury. Lawyer Porter took occasion, in closing the legal argument for the prosecution, to strike back at MT. Scoville, who on Monday excited laughter by initiating and ridiculing MT. Porter's style of talking. Porter called Guiteau Scoville's pupil, and several times turned savagely upon the pris oner,for his interruptions.
 Judge Cox decided that the jurisdic- tion of the court was complete. On the question of the prisoners responsibility, he said the legal test was whether at the time he committed the deed he knew the difference between right and wrong in respect to that particular act. He pointed out the sort of delu- sion that would relieve the prisoner of responsibility. It must be an insane mental delusion, which was not the re- suit of his own reasoning, but which took possession of his mind indepen- dently of his will and reason, and de- prived him of the ability to distinguish between right and wrong as to that particular act. On the question whether the prisoner should have the benefit of a reasonable doubt in the minds of the jurors as to his insanity, Judge Cox said he would not instruct ;he jury to acquit if they felt reasonable 1oubt about any one fact in issue, but 1e would explain to them the legal pre- of innocence and of sanity. md instruct them that if, on the whole evidence and in consideration of both hose presumptions, they had reasona- ole doubt of his guilt, he is entitled to sn acquittal.
 Guiteau once or twice during the de ivery of the decision expressed himself yratified with what the Judge said, and 1t the end he exclaimed: "I am satis. jed with the law as laid down by your donor."
 MT. Davidge in addressing the jury against Guiteau reviewed the evidence md ridiculed the notion that Guiteau vas or is insane. Gulteau followed him closely, interrupted him frequently, md reiterated the assertion that he has never claimed to be insane since July }. MT. Davidge argued that the assas. 'in's sanity wss proved by the consid- sration he showed for Mrs. Garfield when he refrained from shooting her at her side, by the manner of lis preparing for the deed, by the way 1e executed it, and by the measures he 'ook to secure his own safety, first from he mob and then from justice, by in- the plea of insanity.
 There was an exciting scene at the dose of the session, when the lawyers were debating the question whether the | prisoner shall be permitted to address he jury. Guiteau insisted upon his | fight to do so, and declared he would | lot trust the best man in America o close his case for him. Judge Cox | aid he had no objection to the pris- 'ner making 8 speech, provided he would confne it to argument on he facts and evidence. District At- orney Corkhill asserted that the prisoner had no right to speak, nd strenuously objected to his being permitted to leave the dock. There vas tilt between the lawyers on this ubiect. and everybody got excited. Hrs. Scoville, the prisoners sister, 'roke into tears. Guiteau insisted that is speech, which he had written out, Vas like an oration of Cicero, and the Imerican people, who were greater han this court and jury, would read it.