Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-30
STILL CONTINUES
Does the Interest in Famous
Bran Murder Trial.
Testimony for Defence is Completed
Other Points on Case.
Nothing Sensational Materalizsd al Tue sday's
Ssssion-Adjouraed Til Today. *.

Boston, Dec. 29.-There was a large fall
ing off in the attendance of women at the
trial OF Mate Thomas Bran for the bark
entine Herbert Fuller murders. this fore
noon, probably due to the fact that the
principal attraction, the defendant. has
concluded his testimony and also that all
the most important testimony has been
given.
The cross-examination of Dr. Theodore
Fisher, expert witness on insanity. was
concluded. But little additional light on
the mental condition OF Brown on the
night of the murder was obtained. On
redirect examination DR.. Fisher said he
still adhered to the belief that Brown
was suffering from some form of in
sanity.
Dr. Thomas Watermans after having
qualified as an expert on insanity. was
asked the hypothetical question adj
dressed to the last witness regarding the
acts of Brown indicating insanity, and
said that the man was probably afflicted
with a form Of insanity. The question,
he said. indicated a very distinct outline
of a person afflicted with some form OF
insanity. chronic line of insanity. or
what is, known as mania for persecu-
ton.
Asked if the talking to himself and ees-
ticulating We're consistent with insanity.
witness said it was not only consist n
with insanity. but is an essential part of
the form of insanity known as mania of
persecution.
The witness corroborated the testimony
of the last witness in all its essential par
ticulars.
The cross-examination faiel to chang
his belief in Browns insanity.
Frank Soliac. seaman on the Herbe' :
Fuller and Jonathan Spencer. steward
of the vessel, were recalled.
After they had replied to Il few ques-
tons. Mr.. French of the counsel for the
defence. announced that the defendant $
side was all in and a recess was taken
until 80 O'Clock.
This afternoon the court opened with
Mr. French Offering to put in evidence,
that Charles Browns testimony III the
Halifax deposition differs from that
which he gave here on the stand.
Mr. Hoar called DR.. Edward Cowles. d
graduate of Dartmouth college. superin-
tendent Of the Mclean Insane asylum
and an expert on insanity. DR.. Cowes
lions. Mr.. Hoar read him the nypotheti-
cal question in regard 10 Brown. ami
when asked if he thought the man was
insane. DR.. Cowles said upon the facts
he thought Brown had acute insanity
at Rotterdam. accompanied by delrium.
but his actions on the Herbert Fuller did
terdam affair might be caused by any
excess which would cause exhaustion.
Mr.. Hoar read the hypothetical question
in many diversions, and TO each DR..
CoWleS said there WAS nothing to lfidi-
cate insanity. Dir. Cowles said there was
nothing in all the events which in ji@ate'
homicidal mania. Mr.. Cotter cross-eN-
amined the witness. The witness was
asked to explain all his opinions and ii
was brought out that Brown was more
liable to an attack OF insanity. having
been in an insane asylum. than one who
had not been confined. According to the
question, he said Brown mad 4 hallucina
ton of sight when he saw the dead bod
les following him around Browns ac-
tons as Il whole were not those OF Il sane
person. He said the two cases of insanity
were not necessarily alike. but might
come from the same causes.
Or. Walter Claiming of Itrookline. was
..s.1l ..1 la iS an and
in answer to Mr.. Hoar's hypothetical
question in regard to Brown. said he
thought that in Rotterdam the man was
insane. and on the Herbert Fuller he was
not. He thought the attack in Rotter-
dam had no connection with any actions
on the Herbert Fuller. and he explained
this belief to quite an extent Judge
Webb asked the witness if he discovered.
according to the question. any homicidal
mania in Brown. He said No.
In this witness as in others, Mr.. Cotter
brought out that the government experts
on insanity had not seen Brown and were
not here when he testified. Mr.. Cotter
closely examined the witness and wren
through, the court adjourned until go.
Wednesday morning.