The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-05-07
THOUGHT HIM INSANE
Witnesses State That Pratt Acted
as a Crazy Man.
Medical Expert Gives His Opinion Of the
Case-Relaticns Between Pratt
and Bromwen

:Judre Murphy's courtroom was crowded yes
terdav morning when the Pratt trial was re-
sumed. The cTOss-eXamnation OF the defendant
was proceeded with. and in reply to numerous
questions the part of the prosecution, he denied
that lie had lived with his wife since the Eight Of
the shooting, but admitted that he had remained
IN tile house with her for time TO nurse her aud
on account of his children. He had not, he
stated, promised 10 live with her again, but had
promised friends to consider it.
A question relative to her physical condition
at that time was objected TO by the defense, and
the objection was sustained, the Judge being OF
The opinion thai it was Irrelevant and indelcate.
The defendant was positive that he had not
told reporter 10 an interview subsequent to the
shooting that his wife was a pure woman.
"How frequently" lie was asked, "did Brom-
well visit your house after FEBRUARY, 1892"
Never TO my knowledge. He might have
sneaked in. Before that he and his vile were
frequent visitors al my house."
THOUGHT HE WAS CRAZY.
Miss Bessie Barnes testified TO having lived in
the house with Pratt for several years, and was
there on the night prior 10 the shooting. Pratt
had told her Of his wife's confession aud seemed
TO be lab0ring under great excitement. She and
her sister mad boIh remarked IT, and SHE gave ii
as her opinion that lie looked aud acted Ike
crazy man.
recess was then taken until 2 o'clock in the
afternoon.
There was a large crowd waiting at the door
long before the hour for reopeniUg court in the
afternoon. When they were finally admitted
they rushed pemel into the room, ana in
moment every available inch of space was
occupied.
the Judge entered he instructed the jury to be
called which was done at once, and the Judge
then Instructed the attorney 10 proceed with the
case.
MEDICAL EXPERT.
DR.. z. II. Woosey was the first witness called.
" How long have you known PrattY' lie was
asked. About fifteen years"
Have you met him frequently?" 81 have
known him intimately and have mt him often at
the club to which Ne both belong"
Attorney Ackerman, who WAS conducting he
examination, then put TO the witness very
lengthy and hypothetical question. IN which lie
reviewed case Identical In detail 10 that
brought cut by Pratts testimony, aud ended by
asking If, IN the opinion OF the witness medi-
cal man. II would not uuSette the mind of man
such as tie defendant
The answer 10 the question was that knowing
as he did the character of Pratt, he was In
clined 10 believe that it would have that effect.
= From what you know Of Pratt's mental con-
ditiOn what would you think would be the effect
OF a series of events such as ne underwent ?"
" believe that II would cause him 10 commit
the series VI acts with which lie Is charged. lie
was not an impulslVe man, out was OF 4 nervous
nature, inclined to melancholla."
On erOsS-eXaminatiOn the witness stated that
he had never been connected with any ASYLUM.
He believed that man might while lab1Ting
under momentary insanity be conscious of his
aets, and might even know then that what lie was
doing was wrong. II was his further opinion.
however. that under such circumstances man
would not III all likelihood stop to consider The
morality or immortality OF tnr act.
TRUE AND PURE.
E L. Record. journalist, WIS placed on the
stand by the prosecution and testified that on
The 31st OF January. 1889, MT. IratL stated in
conversation with MIN that his wife was a true
ana pure woman and that the reports OF init
macy with Bromwe!l were false.
On cruss-eXamiDatlOn Attorney BsOmWell
asked him II he could say positively that such
was the exact statement made by Pratt.
"As nearly as l can recall now" was the
reply.
The court then adjourned until 10 o'clock this
morning in order 10 give the prosecution a
elancs to bring in Its witnesses.