The record-union., 1892-10-19
DRAWING TO A CLOSE.
All of the Testimony in the Palmer
Trial Is Now In.
Arguments to the Jury Begun - DIR.
Dixon's Expert Testimony on
the Insanity Subject.

The taking of testimony in the trial of
Fl. J. Palmer, charged with the murder
Of Charles Phleger, was completed at
noon yesterday. AS usual there was
very large attendance Of spectators.
DR.. 6. NJ. Dixon was called to the stand
by the prosecution. He testified that he
had been practicing physician for long
time, and had had experience with cases
of insanity. He had been in the court
room during much of. the trial, and had
observed Palmer. He had not seen any
thing about the defendant to indicate that
he was insane.
Being questioned as to his knowledge
on the insanity subject, the doctor SAID
that in his opinion it was quite possible
for a person to be insane and still have
motive-a motive in accord with his or
her delusion. In his opinion the fact
that Palmer did not attempt TO escape
was not necessarily an evidence of insan-
ity. He also believed that delusions were
compatible with sanity. Decisions were
simply false beliefs, and originated in
many ways.
EFFECT OF WHISKY.
Continuing, the witness said it was
quite probable that Palmer had cerebral
congestion on different occasions, as tes-
tilted to by DIR. Nichols and DR.. Martin
for the defense. In the witness opinion
the primary cause of this disease was ex-
cessive use of Intoxicating liquor. He
did not consider the disease a species of
insanity, although it was quite common
among insane people. DR.. Dixon was
quite confident that if the disease paretic
dementia-wh hich Drs. Nichols and Mar
Tin said affected Palmer's brain, and in
which they were practically sustained by
Drs. Gardner and Clark-had progressed
very far, Palmer could not have written
such intelligent letters as had been ex-
hibited in court. He did not think those
letters could emapate from an insane
mind.
CHANGED HIS MIND.
DIR. Dixon was subjected to rigid
cross-examination by Attorney A. l..
Hart for the defense, and in answer to the
lawyers questions considerably modified
his assertions made on direct examina-
ton.
Being asked again about the letters, the
doctor admitted finally that they could
have been written by an insane person.
Mr.. Hart asked witness if he were any
more capable of judging who is insane
and who is not than any otherman would
be of equal intelligence.
The doctor replied that he was of the
opinion that he would only have an ad-
vantage over laymen because of his study
OF the human brain and his extended eX-
perience with insane people. The doctor
admitted that cerebral congestion is some
times the first manifestation of insanity.
II Palmer were suffering from mania,
lie might have, during lucid intervals,
written the letters which had been pro-
duced.
Exi ERTs TO BE PAID.
Mr.. Hart then read off the hypothetical
question of the defense, and asked the
witness what his opinion would be of the
subject referred to-"
The doctor did not take kindly to the
question for some reason or other, finally
declaring that the hypothetical question
OF the defense was unreasonable This
considerably ruf1led MIR. Hart, and he
appealed to the court to reprimand the
witness.
Judge CARRIER told the witness that it
was none of his business whether the
question was reasonable or unreasonable
he was to base his evidence upon the
question as propOunded.
Were you paid to come here and tes-
tify?" bluntly asked General Hart.
II was asked to prepare myself on the
various phases Of this case and prepare
questions for the prosecution. l under
stood, of course, that l would be paid for
my work, but not for my testimony" re-
piled the doctor.
The prosecution objected to the line of
questions, and the court ruled that it
would be immaterial anyhow.
Deputy Sheriff Alter was called to tes-
tify that since his incarceration in the
County Jail Palmer appeared to be sane,
but his testimony was ruled out.
CLOSING UP.
The prosecution then announced that
they had no more testimony to offer.
The defense offered some unimportant
testimony in rebuttal and then closed, too.
y recess was taken for lunch.
In the afternoon District Attorney
Ryan began the opening argument for the
prosecution. He talked long and loud.
He ridiculed the insanity plea set up by
the defense and declared that Palmer was
drunk when he committed the various
acts attributed to him and alleged to be
indicative Of insanity.
When Mr.. Ryan concluded Frank NJ.
Stone argued tor the defense. He made
an able and eloquent effort, going into
the details of the tragedy, showing that
Palmer was, without doubt, insane, and
not responsible tor the act he committed.
An evening session was held in order
that Mr.. Stone might finish. Attorney
Hart will argue to-day, and Mr.. Ryan
will close for the prosecution. The case
will be given to the jury, and it is ex-
pected that verdict will be reached by