The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1882-01-26
NEARING THE END.
The Gufteau Trial at Washington.
Sc0vtlle Talks for Five Days-Wanleds
The Verdict of the Jury.
MR. REED 8 APPEAL TO THE JURY.

NIB. REED APPEAL TO THE JURY.
Mr.. Scoville addressed the Court, stating
that he desired to know whether the prisoner
would be allowed to address the jury in his
own defense. Judge Cox replied he would be
10th in capital case to deny any man proper
opportunity to be heard, even if he is repre-
sented by counsel, but in this case he thought
it safe to assume, that the prisoner would
abuse the privilege, as he had done all through
the trial, and that what he would say would be
highly improper to 20 before the jury. He said,
however, that he ,uld not deny his counsel
the privilege of reading to the jury from man
uscripts anything the prisoner might wish to
say. To this Guiteau retorted that Judge
Cox's name would 60 down to future ages with
a black stain upon it. Mr.. Reed opened his ad-
dress by paying q compliment to the jury for
the solemnity and seriousness which had char
acterzed it throughout the trial. Speaking of
the counsel for prosecution, he argued
that the simple fact that they had occupied so
much time addressing the jury was evidence
sufficient that they had . weak case. During
his argument the speaker said: "It does not
require an expert to pronounce the prisoner
insane. You have seen him day after day,
shufling in before you. You have seen that
strange, unnatural look of his eyes, and it re-
quires the opinion of no expert to convince
you this is not the appearance of q sane man."
Continuing in this strain, the speaker said:
In my opinion, if this poor creature is sent to
months" At this statement, Guiteau, who
had been watching some object out the
window, laughed heartily for some time.
"These experts" said the speaker, "do not
swear to the fact, for none but Deity can know
what there is in the brain of man. They swear
only to an opinion, and you have q notable
instance of how far from the facts the opinions
of most learned doctors may lead in the sad
case of the late President. We had bulletins
every day giving his condition. We had an
kl,.kk ~l.l l.I ka1
twelve inches into the wound and yet the
wound led in exactly che opposite direction. I
say it would be q shame to send q man to the
gallows upon the opinion Of DOCTORS" Reed
reviewed the testimony of witnesses for the
Defense and then wound up his argument,
which occupied some three or four hours, in
the following language: "Gentlemen Of the
Jury You all said when you were sworn that
you would be governed by the evidence. and
stand up to it without regard to the effect
1t might have upon you and your business. I
abjure you to keep that oath. Falter not in
you and this fair land from eternal disgrace.
I assert that the conviction of this man to the
gallows and his execution would be an in
fanny beyond description-an indelicate stain
on American jurisprudence and American
jurists. Think of the scene. If you condemn
him to the gallows. Though not present in
body to see the sight, you can not but be there
in mind. II such day should ever come (and
I do not believe it ever can come under this
evidence), think Of this man, brought out
same weary, wandering eyes; the officers of
the law gathering round him-pinioning him,
binding him with cords so that his muscles
stand out covering him with a black hood,
shutting out the light of day from him, and
leading him to the scaffold. Think Of him, a
lunatic, condemned to the gallows . lunatic
whom the Saviour, if he were on earth, would
heal The picture is not overdrawn. I am
very much obliged to you for your attention.
only ask You, pray do that which shall not in
after years bring the blush Of shame to your
cheeks" Adjourned.