The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1882-01-21
GUITEAU'S TRIAL.

| ~ niru uay OF the trial by MIR. Davldge, OF
counsel Tor the prosecution. Mr.. Davidge re-
viewed the evidence, ffdiculed the notion that
Gulteau was or is insane, and won the approval
OF the Italian tragedian Dossi. who was a
spectator, by his quotations from Shakespeare.
Gulteau followed him closely, interrupted him
frequently, and reiterated the assertion that he
has never claimed to be insane since July 2.
Mr. Davldge argued that the assassin's sanity
was proved by the consideration he showed
for Mrs. Garfield when he RETAINED from
shooting her husband at her side, by the
manner OF his preparing for the deed. bv the
way he executed it, and by the measures he
TOOK to secure his own safety, first from the
mob and then from justice, by interposing
the plea of insanity There was an exciting
scene at the close of the session, when the
lawyers were debating the question whether
the prisoner shall be permitted to address the
jury Guiteau insisted upon his right to do
so, and declared he would not trust the best
man IN America to close his case for him.
Judge Cox said he had no objection to the
prisoner making speech, provided he would
contne 1t to argument on the facts and evil
dence. District Attorney Corkhill asserted
that the prisoner had no right to speak,
and strenuously objected to his being
permitted to leave the dock. There was
a tilt between the lawyers on this sub
| Ject, and everybody got excited. Guiteau
SAID IN reference to the speech he in
tended making: ''The American people will
read the speech, and they are greater than this
court and jury. Don't forget that, Mr.. Court
and Mr. Jurymenl The American people are
| trying this case, and will, think, do me JUS
| nee. The American people will get my speech
IL reads like an Grafton of Cicero. 1t will go
| numbering down the ages This closing
scene OF the day was characterized by consid-
cradle excitement on the part of the counsel
on ooth SIDES and by the exhibition of great
passion on the part of the prisoner. His sister,
WIS. ocovllle, also manifested great deal of
emotion and wept Historically. Many women
gathered alphabetically around her.
On the forty fourth day Guiteau, as soon as
| he had been placed in the dock, made his usual
opening speech, as follows: I'm Justice to the
| court to myself and to Mr.. Davidge I want to
say that was mistaken in my remarks against
him. received a. letter severely denouncing
MIR Davidge, but on inquiry find that Davidge
Is heightened Christian lawyer. and I with
draw any injurious remarks l made against
him. | still maintain my opinion of Corkhll.
am told that am right about Corkhill and
wrong about Davidge" Mr.. Davldge then
rose and proceeded with his address to the jury.
He analysed the testimony of DIR. Rice, Mrs.
Scoville, John W. Guiteau and others as to the
eccentrcities and peculiarities of the prisoner.
All this testimony was unimportant. Mr..
Davidge said: " The Guiteau family
is respectable family family
of tone and character They have
made their mark wherever they have gone.
The mistake committed by the family is in I'M
dertaking to protect and defend this man. All
families are liable in the course of nature to
produce bad men and wicked men, and bad
women and wicked women, and the course
the Roman course-that this family ought to
pursue would be to denounce this wretch as
having sinned against law, against God, against
nd off anrifi
the altar of his country" The prisoner here
broke in: 'That is all said for money" Mr..
Davidge continued his review of the testimony,
speaking in the same quiet, off-hand, yet digni-
fed way, and very often reading passages of the
testimony while he stood much of the time so
close to the jurymen that he could have almost
laid his hand on them. He paid no heed to
Guiteaus Interruptions which were even more
frequent than on the previous day, though less
insulting. The assassin talked almost incess-
antly, almost as much as Mr.. Davidge in fact.
When Mr.. Davidge quoted testimony which
Guiteau had contradicted as it fell from the
Witnesses lips, Guiteau again declared that it
was untrue. He accused Mr.. Davidge oftalk-
ing only for money, which would burn in his
pocket. The court room was densely crowded.
and after woman had tainted Guiteau sug-
gested to the court that fresh air was needed in
the room, a suggestion which was acted upon.
seat in the dock at the opening of proceedings
on the forty-ffth day and then blurted out: l
received thirty checks yesterday, representing
about SIS, 900; some of them l suppose are
worthless, and many of them are no doubt
good. / don't want any one to send me
worthless check. | do my own banking bust
ness, and my checks should be made out to my
order. Any one who desires to send me money
can do so, but l don't want any worthless
checks" Mr.. Scoville next asked the court
whether the prisoner would be allowed to speak
in his own defense. If the court proposed to
accord him that privilege his counsel would
prefer that he should speak first. Guiteau
here said: 81 want to be heard on that question,
your honor. want to close the arguments for
the defense I wouldn't trust my case in the
hands of the best lawyer in America" Judge
Cox refused to permit Guiteau to speak, on the
ground that the prisoner would abuse the privi-
lege, as he had done all through the trial, but
said that counsel for the defense might read
from Guiteausa manuscript if they desired
Guiteau protested that he appeared as his own
counsel, and claimed the right as an American
citizen to be heard in his own defense. Find
ing that Judge Cox would not be moved he
shouted: "Let the record show that l appear
here as my own counsel, and that | take excep-
ton to your ruling, Judge Cox. l shall appeal
to the American people, and they will override
you, and you will go down to future ages
with black stain upon your name.
Mr.. Reed, of Chicago, then addressed the
Jury for the defense, his argument being
that Guiteau was insane. The speaker was
continually interrupted by comments and in
terjections on the part Of the prisoner, who was
not in the least abashed by his counseps elab-
crate portraiture of him as fool and
lunatic. 81 assert" Mr.. Reed said, "that the
conviction of this man to the gallows, and his
execution, would be an infamy beyond descrip-
tion-an indelible stain on American jurispru-
dence and American juries." The assassin,
when his counsel had finished, said: ''Reedls
a good fellow, but would not give cent
bushel for his rubbish. If could only have
talk with that jury I would give them the
right theory"
Contrary to his custom the prisoner did no
make an opening speech at the opening OF court
on the forty-sixth day, but sat quietly IN the
dock while Mr.. Scoville began the closing
address of the defense to the jury. Although
the prisoner had repeatedly denounced the
line of defense followed by Mr.. Scoville, and
had declared that his own conception OF the
defense was the only true one, and ne would
not trust the best man in America to close ms
case for him, yet he listened to the speech
without interruption, except to approve VI
emphasize some of the points made Dy tie
speaker. He did not forget his own speech,
however, and requested Judge Cox 10 reau ~ ~
in the newspapers because he wanted " VAN
to him about it. Mr.. Scoville began py
| thanking the jury for their patience during me
| trial and eynressed his obligations to members