Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-10-15


Staunton Jail, Coyner talked to him about
Brown dishonoring his family. Coyner's
7 sister is in the asylum, another sister an
imbecile, his father was monomaniac and
grandmother lunaric. Witness thinks
Coyner has been insane since 1882 and his
mind will gradually fade out to blank.
don't believe the prisoner now appreci-
ates what is going on around him In this
trial.
DR.. A. Fl. Weir, Assistant Physician at
the W. L. Asylum for two years and
half.-Has examined the prisoner more
than once and is satisfied that he is an in
sane man in deep melancholia, approach
! ing dementia. Dementia-chronic demen-
tia, is the last stage. Recognition of
friends Is no sign that the man is not in
sane. If the prisoner lives, the present
process of his mental disease will end in
dementia. He has general break down
of the intellect. Witness, from his own
interviews with CoYner and the evidence
he has heard in this court house since this
trial began; believes that when prisoner
, killed Brown he was insane.
DR.. Robert s. Hamilton, former Super
1ntendent of the w. l.. Asylum.-Saw
Coyner the night of the day that he killed
Brown. Was asked by some of e. g friends
to 90 In the Jail and ''try and quiet
Stuart" Witness thought him insane
that night and has seen nothing in several
visits since to change that opinion. Had
khowL Goyner for many years and Thought
him victim OF chronic mental disease,
] the basis of which was hereditary insani-
ty. Met C.. at the Virginia Hotel after
Z. had been West, and found him the vic
tim Of decisions. His act did not surprise
him; it was only what one might expect
from such men being allowed to go at
large. Does not believe Coyner laboring
under his disease, could resist committing
the act he did when his mind suggested
it.
PROCEEDINGS SATURDAY.
The proceedings Saturday opened with
the recalling of DR.. Hamilton. Witness
said there was nothing in prisoners man
ner in interview on night of killing to
| arouse the suspicion of stimulation. Don't
think, with his phase of insanity he could
| simulate. He has now some of the phYsi-
cal Accomplishments Of insanity that he
could not simulate. Did not think that
Coyner now intelllgently appreciated
| what is going on around him. He may
have intervals of appreciation, bat
continued comprehension of it. 1t is very
| probable that Coyner fully knew when he
killed Brown that it was wrong, but was
not able to restrain himself from doing
| the wrong. Evidence, witness had heard
| in this case since he came in court, has
confirmed all his conclusions as to ca
| insanity. from the family history OF the
prisoner think the hereditary right of the
| prisoner to insanity is stronger than il
/, both his parents had been insane. Pris-
| oner had been ward of his (witness')
| brother and when the boy was about to 60
to school he was brought by his guardian
to witness Office. At that visit witness
made up his mind about prisoners condi-
| ton of mind.
| Here the defence rested their case.
| The Evidence of the Prose
cutiOn.
l. -6aseSDd6td s. Beu.-Lived near the
prisoners family for twenty-five or thirty
years. Had never heard of Coyner's in
sanity until after the killiag.. Had met
and conversed with him ocS and
never saw anything in him can't
of practical common sense !,
| large orchard and very lag
| pies last year. It would requlSg
| force to gather them. Remember Hs
| told CoYner's brother that Coyner was in
no condition of mind to be permitted to
60 West, having been convinced in con-
versation with him that he was not
| Witness was apprehensive after Coyner
| got back that he would injure his son.
Heard that Coyner had threatened to kill
his, witness son and Messrs. Brown and
| Hanger. Went to Hugh Hamilton to go
| TO see Coyner about it. The threats orig
mated in Coyner's being leased about
young Bell getting ahead of Kim in wait
| ing on young lady.
| Frank III. Bell, son of the preceding
| witnes..-Knew prisoner all his life. Had
only regarded him as peculiar and lack
ing in common sense. Had done business
~ith him, did not regard him as crazy.
Thought Coyner had too many ladders to
gather his crop, but Coyner told him he
expected to have larger force Of men.
At the meeting of the Democratic club at
Fishersvllle, after q. got back from the
West, he was called on for speech. He
made 1t, but his speech was such wran-
gle that he thought he was either drunk
or crazy. Witness was with Coyner at
fair ground on day of killing Brown. They
got to talking about bear-skln cap one
of Gov. Cameron 8 aids wore. Coyner spoke
of the military spirit not dying out in the
south, and added that military displays
made his blood boil. Spoke also of people
Of the North being colder blooded than
Southern people. AS they conversed and
| walked together they reached the rotunda.
! Then Coyner fell back little. Witness
went on around the Rotunda and in few
moments some one came out of it and said
Coyner had shot Brown. When be first met
Coyner he was standing with his head
hanging down. In shaking hands with
him he found that Coyner 3 hand was hot
and wet 1t was not five minutes from
the time he parted with Coyner till he was
told Of the killing.
Reu. Joshua a. Woodson.-Knew pri-s
soner for many years. Had never seen any
thing wrong about his mind. He was a
quiet boy. Had q conversation with him
after C.'s return from the West; saw moth
- su-orv Il, him thap He fo1kod huei.