Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-01-19
THE GUITEAU TRIAL.

ldI UCIIcA 0fcl1 way IL III ID uOW u0Cl
ded that it was the act of a mailman.
THE GUITEAU TRIAL.
The Law Points Decided-Counsel AID
/ dressing the Jury.
| On Thursday of last week Judge Coz
gave his decision upon the law point
submitted. Lawyer Porter took occa
sion, in closing the legal argument TO
the prosecution, to strike back at SEQ
vile, who on Monday excited laughte
by initiating and ridiculing Mr.. Porter
style of talking. Porter called Guiteal
Scoville's pupil and several times turned
savagely upon the prisoner fer his inter
ruDtionS.
Judge Cox decided that the jurisdic
lion of the court was complete. On th'
question of the prisoners responsibility
he said the legal test was whether al
the time he committed the deed he knew
the difference between right and wroHe
in respect to that particular act. HI
pointed out the sort of delusion thai
would relieve the prisaner of response
| ty. 1t INST be an insane mental delusion
which was not the result of his OWL
reasoning, but which took possession of
his mind, independently of his will and
reason, and deprived him of the ability
to distinguish between right and wrong
as to that particular act. On the ques.
tion whether the prisoner should have
the benefit of reasonable doubt in the
minds of the jurors as to his sanity,
Judge Cox said he would not instruct
the jury to acquit if they felt reasona.
bic doubt about any one fact in issue, but
he would explain to them the legal pre-.
sumption of innocence and sanity, and
| instruct them that if, on the whole evil
dence and in consideration of both those
presumptions they had reasonable
doubt of his guilt, he is entitled to an
acquittal.
Guiteau once or twice during the de-
livery of the decision expressed himself
gratified with what the Judge said, and
at the end he exclaimed: Il am satisfied
with the law as laid down by your Hon.
or"
The court adjourned until Thurday to
give Mr.. Davidge to prepare for his
opening speech to the jury against the
prisoner.
On Thursday, upon the opening of
court, Mr.. Dayidge began his address to
the jury. He reviewed the evidence
with great skill, and ridiculed the no.
tion that Guiteau was insane. Guiteau
followed him closely, interrupted him
frequently, and reiterated the assertion
that he has never claimed to be insane
since July2. Mr.. Davidge argued that
the assassin's sanity was proved by the
consideration he showed for Mrs. Gar
field when he refrained from shooting
her husband at her side, by the way he
executed it, and by the measures be
took to secure his own safety, first from
the mob and then from justice, by inter-
posing the plea of insanity.
There was an exciting scene at the
close of the session, when the lawyers
were debating the question whether the
prisoner shall be permitted to address
the jury. Guiteau insisted upon his
right to do so, and declared he would
not trust the best man in America to
close his case for him. Judge Cox said
he had no objection to the prisoner ma
king speech, provided he would con-
fine it to argument on the facts and ev-
idence. District Attorney Corkhill as
speak, and strenucusly objected to his
being permitted to leave the dock. There
was tilt between the lawyers on this
subject, and everybody got excited. Mrs.
Scoville, the prisoners sister, broke into
tears. Guiteau insisted that his speech,
which he had written out, was like an
oration of Cicero. and the American peo-
pie, who were greater than this court
and jury, would read it. Without set
tllng the question, the court adjourned.
Mr.. Davidge concluded his speech
against Guiteau to the jury on Friday.
Guiteau's interruptions during the day
were more frequent and persistent than
ever. He declared at the start that he
withdrew any Injurious remarks he has
made against Mr.. Davidge, and at the
end thanked him for making such
light speech against him. When Mr..
Davidge quoted testimony which Gui-
teau had contradicted as it fell from the
witnesses lips, Guiteau again declared
that it was untrue. He accused Mr..
Davidge of talking only for money,
which would burn in his pocket. The
court room was densely crowded, and
after woman had tainted Guiteau sug-
gested to the Court that fresh air was
needed in the room, suggestion which
was acted upon.
On Saturday Reed made character
istically ingenious speech, in which he
slurred over the many points in the ev-
idence unfavorable to the defense, and
brought out strongly all those points
which were favorable to his client, and
Gliteau interrupted enthusiastically
in an insolent and impudent way
Before Reed began his argument, Sco-
vile requested Judge Cox to decide
whether Guiteau should be allowed to
speak in his own behalf to the jury, and
if he decided in the affirmative, he want
ed Guiteau 10 speak before either Mr..
Reed or himself. Judge Cox promptly
decided that Guiteau could not address
the jury. If there was anything in his
so-called speech which ought to be
placed before the jury, his counsel could
incorporate it in their remarks, or could
read it for him.
Reed and Scoville accepted the de-
cision with the best grace possible, but
Guiteau broke out lercely on its denun-
citation. After Guiteau got through
Reed took the floor in front of the jury
for few remarks, which soon became
a clearly conceived speech, wherein ev-
erything favoring the defense was
brought out in the strongest light, and
the rest of the evidence was allowed TO