River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-02-02

Porter, and / won't stand it. / will re-
lieve my mind. The idea of this man
trying to make me cut fighting man,
a man of bad character, and all this.
It's lie, and he knows it. He's a liar.
and III call him So"
Judge Porter-sI am simply giving
the sworn statement of his own
brother"
Guiteau-" He's no brother of mine.
/ wouldn't have spoken to him at the
Fifth Avenue hotel, last summer. l
have nothing against him, but I don't
like his style. / don't like my fathers
style. My sister sympathizes with me;
my brother sympathizes with my faith
er. / want that understood. It's con-
temptible in that man Porter to under
take to convince the jury that I'm an
unprincipled, bad man"
Judge Cox at 3:15 P. NJ, proceeded
to deliver his charge to the jury. He
commenced by saying the constitution
provides that in all criminal prosecu-
tons, the accused shall enjoy the right
of speedy and public trial by an I'M
partial jury in the state or district where
the crime has been committed, and
that he shall be informed of the course
and nature of the accusation against
him; that he shall be confronted with
witnesses against him; that he shall
have compulsory process to obtain wit
nesses in his favor, and that he shall
have the assistance of counsel IN his
defense. Those provisions are intend
ed for the prosecution of the innocent
from injustice and oppression, and it
was only by their faithful observance
that guilt or innocence could be fairly
ascertained. Every accused person
was presumed to be innocent until the
accusation was proved. With what
difficulty and trouble this has been adj
ministered in this case the jury has
daily witnessed. 1t was, however, a
consolation to think that not one of
those solemn guarantees of the consti-
tuition had been violated in the ease Of
the accused. At last the long chapter
of proof had been ended.
After the jury had been out about
twenty minutes a recess was taken UNI
til $50 p. M. Many of the audience
who had virtually been imprisoned
since $50 in the morning availed them
selves of the opportunity to obtain the
fresh air and lunch. The prisoner, at
his request, had been allowed, soon
after the jury left the court room, to
retire to little room which he has oc-
cupied since the trial began as wait
ing room. During the recess, before
leaving the court room, he evinced
considerable nervousness; but on get
ting away into comparative seclusion,
his usual composure and assurance
soon returned to him. He sent out
for some apples, with which he treated
his attendants, meanwhile chatting
Familiarity and good-naturedly. He
was asked what he thought the jury
would do, and he replied; 81 think
they will acquit me or disagree, don't
your"
Within ten minutes after the recess
had been ordered, the jury called to q
bailiff in waiting, and said they were
ready with their verdict.
They were informed that a recess
had been taken, and that Judge Cox
had left the court room, so they re.
manned in their room until the court
reassembled. The rumor that they
had agreed was quickly spread from
one to another, and an excited crowd
surged back into the court room and
anxiously awaited what all seemed to
expect, a verdict of guilty. The musty
antique rooms are devoid of gas, and
a score or more of candles which had
been placed upon the desks of the judge,
counsel and reporters, impaired weird
and fancifully unnatural aspect to the
grand old place. The shadows thrown
upon the dark background of the wall
seemed like feeting spectres to usher
in the sombre procession of those who
held in their hands the destiny of hui
man life.
First came the prisoner with quick,
nervous step, and as he seated himself
in the dock, perhaps for the last time,
the light of solitary candle fell full
upon his face and disclosed its more
than usual pallor. Not tremor of the
limbs nor a movement of the muscles
of the face was observable as he threw
back his head and fixed his gaze upon
the door through which the jury was
to enter.
Judge Cox soon afterward took his
seat and the crier called the court to
order, and the jury, at 5:35 o'clock,
filed slowly in their seats. Every sound
was hushed save the voice of the clerk
as he propsunded to the foreman the
usual inquiry. Clear and distinct came
the reply
WE HAVE.
What is your verdict? Guilty, or not
guilty.
With equal distinctiveness came the
reply,
GUILTY AS INDICTED"
The pent up feeling of the crowd
found expression in uproarous demon
STATIONS of applause and approval.
"Order order p shouted the bailiffs
Scoville and the counsel for the prose-
cution were simultaneously upon their
feet.
Scoville attempted to address the
court but the district attorney shouted
Wait until we have heard 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 in
dicted. +"
so SAY WE ALL OF US.
We do all respond"
Another demonstration of approval
followed this announcement, but was
not so prolonged as at first.
Scoville, still upon his feet, demanded
poll of the jury, which was granted,
and each juror was called by name
and each in firm voice promptly re-
sponded 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,
Scoville again addressed the court,
saying: "Your honor, do not desire
to forfeit any rights l have under the
law and practice in this district. IF
there is anything that | ought now to
do to save those rights / would be in
debted to your honor to indicate it to
me-"
Judge Cox in reply assured him he
should have every opportunity; that
the charge would be furnished him in
print tomorrow, and he would be ac-
corded all the time accorded by law
within which to file his exceptions, and
that he would also be entitled to four
days within which to move an arrest of
judgment.
Guiteau, wha from the moment Judge
Cox began delivering his charge, had
dropped completely his air of flippant
arrogance and sat with rigid features
and compressed lips, called out in tones
of desperation: