The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1882-01-26
GUITEAU GUILTY
Of Murder in the First Degree
A Quick Verdict.
How the Assassin Received the Verdict
Scenes and Incidents in the
Court Room.

WASHINGTON, January 25.-Judge POr-
ter continued his argument to-day. 1t
was logical, masterly effort and was
a stern climax to the farce, into which
Guiteau turned the trial. The cOwardly
act OF the assassin was painted in
manner. which clearly depicted the
horror of the great crime. Guiteau was
worked up to an unusual pitch and
made frequent Interruptions; his man
ner was excited and nervous.
THE CLOSING WORDS.
Porter closed his argument as follows:
| Gentlemen, the time has come when
| must close. The Government has pre-
| sented its case before you, and we have
| endeavOred to discharge our duty to the
| best of our ability; His Honor has en-
deavOred to discharge his; l know you
will be faithful to your Oaths and dis
| charge yOurs-sO discharge it that by
your action, at least, political assassin
| alton shall find no sanction to make it
precedent hereafter. He who has or
| dained that human life shall be
! shielded by human law from human
crime presides over your deliberatiOn,
and the verdict which shall be given or
withheld to-day will be recorded
trust that the verdict will be
prompt; that it will represent the
majesty of the law, your integrity and
the honor of the country; and that this
trial, which has so deeply interested all
nations of the earth, may result in
warning Ito reach all lands) that pOliti-
cal murder shall not be used as a means
of promoting party ends or political
revolutions. | trust, also, that the time
ghnlI Of of
| tiOn that shall be called to the cOnsidera-
| tiOns growing out of this trial, when,
| by an international arrangement be-
| tween the various governments, the law
shall be so strengthened that political
assassins shall find no refuge on the
face of the earth.
Judge Cox then delivered his charge
to the jury. 1t was concise and to the
| point. He explained the points of law
in dispute and legal phases of the case.
The jury then retired to their room.
THE VERDICT.
After the jury had been out about 20
minutes, a recess was taken until $50
| o'clock. The prisoner, at his request,
was allowed, soon after the jury left the
court room, to retire to the little room
he has occupied since the trial began as
| a waiting room during recess. Before
| leaving the court room he eyinced con-
| siderable nervousness, but on getting
| away to comparative seclusiOn his usual
| cOmpOJure and assurance soon returned
| to him. He sent out for some apples,
with which he treated his attendants,
meantime chatting familiarly and good
naturedly. He was asked what he
thought the jury would do, and replied:
81 think they will acquit me or disagree,
don't your"
| Within ten minutes after the recess
had been taken, the jury called to the
bailiff in waiting that they were ready
| with their verdict.
The rumOr that the jury had agreed
was quickly spread from one to another
and the excited crowd surged back into
the court room, and anXiOusly awaited
| what all seemed to eXpect-a verdict of
guilty. First came the prisoner with a
quick, nervous step. Not tremOr of
the limbs or movement of the muscles
| of the face was observed as he threw
back his head and fixed his gaze upon
the door through which the jury were
| to enter. Judge Cox soon afterward
took his seat, the crier called, "Order,"
and the jury, at $50, filed slowly into
their seats. Every sound was hushed
| save the voice of the clerk as he pro-
pounded to the foreman the usual in
| quiry. Clear and distinct came the re-
| ply, 1--WE have" "What is your verdict;
guilty or not guilty." With equal dis
tinctness came the reply,
GUILTY AS INDICTED"
Then the pent-up feelings of the
crowd found expression in uproariOus
demonstrations of applause and ap-
prOval. "0rder, ORDER" shouted the
bailiffs. ScOville and the counsel for
| the prosecution were simultaneously
upon their feet. ScOVille attempted to
address the court, but the District At
tOrney shouted: "Wait till we have the
verdict complete and in due form of
law" Order was at length restored and
the clerk again addressing the jury,
said: ''Your foreman says Guilty
as indicted" $50 say we all of us;
we do, all responded.
ScOville demanded the poll of the
| jury, which was granted, and each juror
was called by name and each in firm
voice promptly responded, Guilty" As
| the last name was called, the prisoner
| shrieked, 'My blood will be upon the
heads of that jury; don't you forget it;
God will surely avenge this outrage"
| Court was then adjourned. The crowd
quickly left the court room, and the
prisoner, gesticulating with his mana
cled hands, was led out.
ScOville will probably file a motion in
arrest of judgment and for new trial
on exceptions. The general conviction
is that new trial will not be granted.
Guiteau apparently believes the Presi-
dent will interpose to save him from
the gallOws, but his counsel retain no
such idea.