The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1882-01-21
Argument for the Defense Begun by MIR.
Reed-Judge Cox VIII Not Allow the
Prisoner TO Make the Closing Speech.

Argument for the Defense Begun by MIR.
Reed-Judge Cox VIII Not Allow the
Prisoner TO Make the Closing Speech.
WAsHINGToN, Jan. H-Guteau opened the
days proceedings with the following: 81 received
thirty checks yesterday, representing about s1o,.
600. Some of them, suppose. are worthless, and
many are, no doubt. good i don't want any one
to send me worthless cheeks. | do my own bank
ing business and my checks should be made out
to my order. Any one who desires TO send me
money can do SO, but don't want any worthless
checks"
ScoviIle addressed the Court, stating that he de-
sired TO know whether the prisoner would be
allow ed to speak in his own defe Sc. If the
Court proposed ~ accord him that privilege. both
he (Scoviie) and Reed would prefer that he should
speak first
Your Honor | want to close the argument for the
defense / wouldn't trust my case ia the hands OF
the best lawyers In America.
Judge Cox-I should be 10th In capital case
TO deny any man proper opportunity to be
heard, eveE II he is represented be counsel. but
in this case IL 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
l shall therefore, deny him the privilege. AS
said yesterday, however ii his counsel desire to
read from his manuscript anything which they
deem proper to be laid before the Jury, they can
do so.
Guiteau protested that he appeared as his own
counsel and claimed the right an American
citizen to be heard In his own defense Finding
4 "
| ''Let the record show that appear Eere as my
| own counsel. aud that take exception to your
| ruling Judge Cox. / shall appeal TO the Ameri-
| can people, and they will overrule you, and you
| will go down to future ages with a black stain
| upon your name.
Judge Cox made no reply TO this TRADE, but
| simply nodded to Reed TO begin his argument.
Reed then rose to address the Jury behalf of
| the prisoner. He commenced by paying COM
pliment to the Jury for the seriousness sOlemnity
| and care which had characterized IL during this
long trial. trial unparalleled in the history OF
| criminal jurisprudence, he should not endeavor
| to make any statement OF evidence TO draw a
| gilded picture of any scene, but ne would simply
| talk with them as between Deighbors Davidge,
| counsel for the prosecution, had occupied two
| days in addressing the Jury, and that effort and
/ the consumption of time on his part showed the
| grave apprehension felt by the prosecution lest
| something might have appeared In the Sc which
| would make the Jury say this poor man
lunatic and Irresponsible
Before Mr. Reed had been speaking half an hour
the prisoner began to comment aud contradict
| contrasting the mercy of the Savior toward those
afflicted with devils tinsane) with the demands o.
the prosecution in his ease.
| Mr. Reed said: "They said hang him.
Guiteau shouted: And the American people
say let him go. The American people are ON my
| side. Reed now go on with your speech
| Soon after the speaker had OCCASION To allude Il
the evidence of j. W. Guiteau, when the pris0ne
again interrupted and called .desparsgingys wei
he amt my reference. I've got better men thai
he is for my reference"
Reed commented upon the incident related b,
several witnesses when Guiteau struck his fathe
at the supper table, and Guiteau called out yehe
mently:
intended to strike him. don't fight any one.