Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-01-19
THE GUITEAU TRIAL.

| Immediately after Court convened on the
| 10th instant, which was the second day Of
the 9th week of the trial, Judge Porter COM
menced his argument on the law points sub
mitted by the prosecution, and on which coun-
sci for the prosecution rely. Judge Porter's
argument is pronounced mastery effort, the
reports for the press universally representing
that nothing like it had been seen or heard in
any previous proceedings that have character
lied this singular trial. AS Judge Porter re-
viewed the conduct on the part of the prison.
er, and the conduct on the part of prisoners
counsel of his course in Court, the crime, in
all it's hideous ugliness, was held up to the
detestation of his hearers. The silence be-
came oppressive, and the presence of avenging
Justice in the near future was suggested with
force of conviction that swept from the
Court room every vestige of that levity which
has so long danced attendance upon every ut
terance of the prisoner, and like veil, Obscured
from the consciousness of spectators the hor-
rors of the crime and what should be the solem-
nifty of it's judicial atonement. The prisoner
WINGED and nervously twisted in his place, and
for several minutes was unable to say anything
that in any sense could approach to an inter-
ruption. Gradually the prisoner gained his u.s.
ual assurance and resumed his daily habit of in
terrupting with contradictions and denials.
For once, however, that insufferable impudence
of the prisoner was completely oVeraWed.
Neither his noise nor his abuse could interrupt
or silence the avalanche of condemnation that
swept from the lips of the eloquent counsel.
"The prisoner is mistaken, your Honor"
said Judge Porter, eff he believes by his
unseemly bawling he can prevent my voice
from being heard by the jury. The puppet
cannot be moved in such good time as when
he sat with his counsel, and by his outbursts
now he is fast tightening the hangman's moose
about his neck" With nervous twitching Of
the mouth, Guiteau muttered: "We'll see
about that.''
Heretofore the audacious and wholly una
Dashed prisoner seemed i'll at ease and at loss
to understand why his would-be sallies of wit
and impudence wholly failed with the audience,
while more severe came the denunciation of
counsel, more frequent and marked were the
demonstrations of approval. Finally, like
wild beast brought to bay, Guiteau yelled out,
81 staked my life on the issue, and I'm willing
to 20 to the gallows tomorrow, if it is the
Lords will. Pm sick of this bosh. Judge
Porter, wish you would get your five thou
sand dollars and 60 home.'
Judge Porter concluded his argument by
readingthe now famous letter of President
Garfield to Judge Payne, in which he compli-
mented and thanked the Judge for brushing
away the network of sophistries with which it
has been customary, of late years, to envelope
the plea of insanity when set up in excuse for
crime.
At the conclusion of Judge Porter's argyll
ment, Judge Cox commenced at once the
reading of his decision upon the points raised
by opposing counsel Touching upon the ques-
tion of jurisdiction he reviewed the progress
of opinion and cited all the important rulings
from the early days of common law in Eng
land, and decided against the PRAYER of the
defense. lie summed up the question that
jurisdiction is complete in the place where
the wound is completed, and consequently,
this Court has full cognizance of this offense."
Judge Cox next took up the question of legal
test of insanity, and decided that the knowl-
edge and appreciation of the difference between
right and wrong must be taken as correct
test. Upon every material point his rulings
were against the prayers of the defense. The
only grain of comfort for the prisoner was Of