The record-union., 1892-10-15
HOPELESSLY INSANE.
DR.. G. H. Martin Says Palmer VIII
Be Absolutely Without Mind.
The Defendant, Hearing His Fate.
weeps-One of Palmer's, Enemies
notwithstanding Letters.

The courtroom where the Palmer trial
is going on was densely crowded all day
yesterday. The evidence taken during
the day was unusually interesting.
DR.. c. B. Nichols was called to the wit
ness stand again to give further testi-
mony for the defense. Attorney Frank
Stone wanted the doctor to go into de-
tails, and he propounded number Of
Hypothetical questions.
Judge CARRIER thought that there
would be no limit to this kind of evil
dence and asked the attorney to desist.
Mr.. Stone insisted upon continuing,
however. He referred to the fact that
Mr.. Palmer was on trial for his life, and
should not be denied anything that was
proper evidence.
HoMICIDAL IMPULSE.
Mr.. Stone then continued his question
ing, DR.. Nichols replies being to the
effect that Palmer was suffering from a
homicidal impulse; that the acts OF
Palmer, just prior to the tragedy, and
the shooting itself, were the acts of g
lunatic and not those of drunken man.
On croSs-eXamination, Attorney Jones
asked the doctor if it were the act of an
when another man drew his pistol; if il
was an evidence OF insanity for man tC
be found lying asleep between two dogs; i
1t showed mind diseased for man tC
threaten his victim prior to killing, AND
say, 1.-The - - ought to have
killed him long ago." etc.
The doctor replied that all the acts al
luded to were compatible with the acts o.
an insane man. He related how insane
people had been known to assume al
sorts of characterization even their own
relatives did not detect their real condi.
tlons--yet they were discovered to be-
madmen OF the most pronounced type.
MRS. PALMER CoRRoBoRATED.
A. j. Bruner, one of Palmer's attor-
neys, corroborated the testimony of Mrs
Palmer, in which she stated that she ap
piled to Mr.. Bruner as to the ACCESSIBILITY
OF commencing proceedings for divorce
Palmer threatened to kill his wife if she
sued for separation. Witness then made
up his mind that Palmer was hopelessly
insane. At ali interview with Mrs. Palmer
at her home afterwards, Palmer came in
sat down, looked his wife straight in the
eyes and said, Mrs. Palmer, l will; Kill
you" Witness told Mrs. Palmer that
something should be done, as he would
certainly harm her. She did not appear
however, to fear him, having confidence
III her power TO control him. When Mr.
Bruner called upon Palmer two hours at:
ter the commission of the homicide, the
prisoner smiled and said: 81 had to dc
it." He appeared TO have relieved himself
of great burden and seemed satisfied.
On cross-examination Mr.. Bruner sale
he did not remember whether Mrs. Pal
mer complained that her husband wa:
unfaithful and was living with another
woman. He knew that there was a re.
port current of Palmer's relations with
other women. Mrs. Palmer said hel
husband was so irritable and cruel tina
her lite was made miserable. Palmer otter
came to witness Office and spoke of his
domestic troubles. He appeared to feal
that he would lose his wife. Mr.. anL
Mrs. Palmer had some settlement rela
tive to property. Palmer wanted money
to go south with. Mrs. Palmer gave hin
money and told him that if he would &c
away and change his life possibly she
could at some future time live with him
A, BRIGHT EXPERT.
DIR. G. Fl. Martin Of San Francisco was
then called. He is quite young looking
man, but he demonstrated to the court
jury and attorneys that in experience anC
knowledge he was far older than be
looked. He was an unusually bright
witness, answering the questions quickly
and clearly, and never once getting rat
tied"
Lit 10 al SA peru III llSuldl ulSGdS6S, d1lO
lectures on that subject III various col
leges at the metropolis. He SAID he haC
heard the Hypothetical question asked
DIR. Nichols by the defense, and had nc
hesitancy in saying that the subject
was insane when the fatal shot was
fired. Being asked for his reasons for sc
concluding, the doctor commenced with
Palmer's grandparents and discussed Oh
hereditary insanity; told how the disease
sometimes skips a generation and finds
lodgment in a family later on; alluded tC
Palmer'S strong resemblance to his
paternal grandparent, who was insane
related Palmer'S decisions, illusions
and northumberland from all these
found that Palmer is insane.
DIR. Martin said that he had studied
Palmer's case in the minutest detail. He
had visited Palmer in the County Jail
carefully concealing his name and pro-
fession. The first thing he observed was
Palmer's wal6-that he held his legs fal
apart in walking, characteristic of Ger
tain insane people. The doctor contin.
ued at great length, describing Palmer's
symptoms. He explained to the jury the
difference between an hallucination and
delusion. The former was the belief in
a thing without having any material
basis; delusion was where there was
belief in false perception, which cannot
be removed by proof. From Palmer's
iieved him insane. The expression OF
the face was, he thought. that of man O.
unsound mind. He showed more thar
ordinary anxiety as to the outcome of the
trial.
PALMER DOOMED.
''What will be the future of Palmer
should he continue TO Hvep' asked At
torney Stone.
He will become hopelessly insane; be
will be absolutely without mind in the
coming years." said the doctor, impress
sively.
Palmer was considerably affected when
he heard the frightful. fate that awaited
him. He stared appeaiingly at the doc
tor for few seconds, his face became
flushed, and then lowering his head, wept
The doctor. continuing, said that Pal
mer is suffering from paretic dementia-
cerebral congestion that will eventu-
ally result in a total abolition of mind
Witness was of the opinion, from his
diagnosis of Palmer's case, that defend