Daily Kennebec journal., 1882-01-13

In the beginning 1t was sought TO show that
the prisoner was of his balance; now the
court tells you to look for that degree Of in
sanity that disables = man from knowing that
what he was doing vas wrong.
This explained Davidge said: The test
you are % apply oo ths question Of tnspira-
iop-Y think / viii Be able to show to your
sasisfsc4ion bow little there il ID that claim
At Davidge's request > recess Of an hour was
taken.
Davidge resumed his argument at 1.O5, and
took up what he termed the first branch of the
defence, to wit, that through the diseased brain
of the prisoner when he committed the act,
he was unable tc appreciate the difference
between right and wrong in respect OF his
act. ssIt seems tv me" said Davidge, Al
most mockery to argue upon such q claim.
but since some such evidence was introduced
upon this point, l feel it my duty. represent
ing, As do. the government, to leave no
such claim unanswered wish IN the fu-
ture, when this man has met his doom. no
hnman voice can raise . question - to his
guilt or the propriety of his punishment, and
before get through expect to be able to
make it perfectly clear to you gentlemen OF
the jury that this defence is not only false
defence but fabricated one."
Daridge reviewed at length the evidence
adduced by the defence in the effort to show
insanity in the family. "The family bible
had been dragged down from the shelf and
had proven a perfect Godsend as showing
what otherwise never would have been re-
membered, that some collateral relation. In
some remote degree, had afforded by his o.
her mental condition, some sort of support
to this theory. which is set mp in defence OF
this monstrous crime. The father, Luther
W. Guiteau," continued Davidge, had been
held up to the jury as in some sense an in
sane man, and would any one have US be-
lieve but for the necessity of the defence,
that this mans name would not be revered,
and his reputation and honor defended by ev-
cry member of the family"
Davidge then took up in order, the case OF
each member of the Guiteau family upon
whose mental condition evidence had been
offered by the defence, and recited in con-
'nection, the counter evidence of the prose-
cution, summing up the force Of this evidence
with the remark, "But the unanswerable
testimony of the experts settles the question
of how much effect this collateral insanity
conld have upon the mental condition of the
prisoner. 1t Is but the IIerest mockery to
discuss this question in view of the undoubt-
ed ability of thi. man to distinguish right
and wrong"
Guiteau interrupted once and shouted out,
81 have always been a Christian man, and
for six years have been strictly virtuous,
don't forget that, either
Mr.. Davidge then passed to review of
the evidence offered by the defence as to the
habits of the life and the history of the pris-
oner from birth up. saying, sit will be for
you, gentlemen of the jury, to determine
whether there is a single fact or single jot or
title to show that this prisoner is not perfect
ly responsible for his act on the I'd of July.
You will find they have carefully picked out
and held up to your view everything in the
entire career of this man which may be con-
s;dered odd or peculiar, and it is for you to
consider how much value can be attached to
this evidence, when you come to consider
whether this man did not know on the I'd of
July it was wrong for him to kill the chief
magistrate of this nation.''
Davidge took up the Oneida community
and spokk of Guiteau as "wallowing" there
for six years.
Guiteau angrily shouted, "And I say it
is false, didn't wallow. I'm just as pure
as you are, Davidge, and good deal purer.
Invent there to save my soul, not from lust.
Put that down Davidge and don't you forget
it,"
Davidge discussed the evidence of Charles
Reed, who conversed with the prisoner Tues
day before the shooting, and who thought he
appeared "a little off his balance" ''and this
mark you," said Davidge, SIS the extent of
his evidence as to that day. He was never
asked if he thought he was unable to dis
tinguish between right and wrong. Is is so
very strange, gentlemen, this prisoner should
appear queer when at that very time he was
carrying in his breast this monstrous crime.
This witness, Reed
Guiteau Gnterrupting) )--"Ycu'd better let
Reed alone Davidge, he's bad man for you
to tackle"
Davidge continued-"This witness, Reed,
again saw the prisoner at the JAIL as he says
at the instance of Scoville, and his evidence,
as to that occasion, is manufactured evil
dence'
Guiteau (sgain interrupted, shouting)-
you'd better look out, Reed is going to
speak tomorrow, he may tear you to pieces !;
he's had lots of experience in Chicago hand
ling such fellows as you are and he's sent
some of them to the state prison.
Continuing, Davidge explained that
in the use of the term he meant
no reflection upon Reed, but that
it was an easy thing for the prisoner after he
had committed the act, to strike the wall and
simulate insanity for the benefit of the gentle
man who would shortly appear as a witness
for the defense.
Guiteau-1 never feigned insanity I never
claimed to be insane after the 2d of july.
I'm sane as you are Davidge, and better
man too.
Davidge-Do you hear that gentlemen.
Contrast that with what you have seen day
after day in this court room. As Davidge
proceeded to disintegrate the evidence and
argue its worthlessness, Guiteau occasionally
interrupted. Once he called out sarcastically,
You don't believe a word of that, Davidge,
you're only talking that stuff for money.
Davidge continued to discuss the evidence
which he had arranged chronologically, and
caused ripple of amusement as he described
Guiteau's career in Boston. There is, he
said. in Boston, among other things. and you
must know that all things are in Boston, if
you do not know it you have simply to visit
Boston, temple or building erected by the
disciples or or believers in the doctrines of
the atheist, Tom Paine. Davidee ascribed
tbo