Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1882-02-08
THE DOOMED assassin.
MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL OF GUITEAU
oVERRULED, AND THE MURDERER
CONDEMNED TO BE HANGED


CONDEMNED TO BE HANGED
JUNE 80.
WASHINGTON, February 4.-Gui-
teau made what was probably his last
appearance in public this morning, and
was taken back to his cell under SEN
tenee Of death. The proceedings In
Court occupied altogether only about
three quarters Of an hour. Judge Cox
took most of this time delivering his
opinion overrulng the motion for
new trial.
JUDGE CoX's DECISION.
Judge Cog began to read from man
uscript his decision upon the motion
for new trial
Reading from various authorities
bearing upon the case, Judge Cox dis
cussed at some length the circumstances
attending the finding of the newspaper
IN the rson oi ens of tie baiilfs Of thg
jury in this case.
First. AS to the handwriting: there
are several circumstances that make 1t
Improbable that at least two OF the
names upon the margin OF the paper
were written by tue gentlemeA them-
selves.
Second. If-as suggested-this pa
per was lying on the table in the ball
ifs room, and gentlemen Of the jury
in writing in albums first tried their
pens upon the maigin, il would amount
to nothing in the face OF the sworn
aff1davits Of every member of the jury
that they did not see or read paper
at any time during the trial No one
could swear to the fact that the Jurors
did write upon the paper, while they
all swear that they did not, and there
is no reason to doubt their veracity.
So far as the discovery of new evil
dence is concerned to be introduced ls
as to the prisoners manner and appear:
anes prior % the assassination. II
there had been no evidence introduced
upon this subject there might be some
force in the request, but a dozen or
more witnesses testified on the trial as
to bis mappeF and appearance covering
the period of time from March H1til the
commission of the act.
The evidence now sought to be in
troduced would be merely cumulative,
and would not affect the verdict.
AS to the expert witness whose ad-
missions after the trial are alleged to
have been different from his evidence
given.upon the trial, Judge Cox said
unsworp admissions of this character
could never be considered as q ground
for overturning verdict that may
have been obtained through the evil
dence of the very witness who, from a
corrupt motive, might seek to reverse
verdict. From all the papers pre-
scnted Judge Cox summed up: i am
unable to find any reason TO grant the
motion, which is therefore overruled. ,
Mr.. Scoville-I woald like TO note
an exception to the ruling of the
Court
Colonel Corkhll-Your Honor, it
now becomes my duty
Mr.. Scovllle-'One moment, please.
| would like TO iile in due form the mo-
tion which / referred to yesterday
Mr. Scoyile then filed his motion in
arrest of judgment
Judge Cox then informed Alr. SEQ
vile Of the rules of practice applicable
to the fling of his exceptions, and
after this matter had been arranged
Colonel Corkhill renewed his motion,
saying:-'It is now my duty to ask for
the sentence of the Court
Judge Cox lto the prisoner)-'Stand
up. Haye you anything to say why
sentence should not nov be passed up
on your
'Guiteau (still sitting)-I ask your
Honor to.postpone the sentence as long
as possible.
Judge Cox-'Stand up, Have you
anything TO say why sentence should
not now be pronounced upon youH
The prisoner then arose, pale, but
with lips compressed and desperate
determination stamped upon his fea-
lures. In low and deliberate tone
he began. but soon his manner became
wild and violent, and, pounding upon
the table, he delivered himself of the
following harangue: i am not guilty
of the charge set forth in the indict-
ment. 1t was Gods act, not mine,
and God will take care of it, and don't
let the American people forget it. He
will take care OF it, and every officer
Of this Government, from the Execu-
tive down to that Marshal, taking in
every man on that jury and every
member of this bench, will pay for it ;
and the American nation will roll in
blood if my body goes into the ground
and | am hung
SENTENCE PRONOUNCED.
Judge Cox then proceeded TO pass
sentence, addressring the prisoner as
follows:
You have been convicted Of crime terri
BILE in it's circumstances and 80 far reaching in
it results that il has drawn upon you the hor-
ror of the whole world and the exccrations of
your countrymen.
The excitement produced by such an ofTense
made it no easy task 10 secure for You a fair
and impartial trial. but you have had the pow
er Of the United States Treasury and of the
Government in your service 10 protect your
person from violence, and To procure evidence
from all parts OF the country. You have had
az fair and impartial jury as ever assembled
ia court Of justice
You have been defended by counsel with a
zeal and devotion that merit the highest en-
comium and / certainly have done my best to
secure a fair presentation Of your defense:
Notwithstanding all this, you have been found
guilty II would have been Il comfort TO many
people If the verdict Of the jury had establish
c1 the fact that your act was that OF an IRE
sponsible man.
What motive could have induced you TO this
act rauat be matter of conjecture. Probably
men will think that some fanatcism OF morbid
desire for sell-exaltation was the real inspira-
tion for the act.
Il would have left the people the satisfying
belief that the crime Of political assassination
was something entirely foreign 10 the inshtn-
tions and civilization of our country; but the
result has denied them that comfort.
The country will accept il az fact that that
crime can be committed, and the Court Will