The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-04-05
INSANE OR NOT lNSANEl
WHAT Is THE QUESTION AS TO
CHARLES ARTHUR
MANY CALL HIM RESPONSIBLE
Expert Testimony Ruled Out by the
Court-Arguments Opened by
District Attorney Willis

the open air yesterday since he was held
to answer. 1t was on the occasion or .he
taking of the testimony of his daughter
Claire Arthur. 20 years old, who Is confined
In bed at the Broadway hotel by Illness.
An adjournment was ordered at 10 O'clock
for that purpose by Judge Smith, which
lasted till II. The defendant, his attorney,
the lawyers for the people and Stenograh-
or McAllister repaired to the room OF the
sick lady and her evidence was taken
down. When court reconvened this was
read to the jury. 1t related that she had
commenced to notice a change in her faith
er's demeanor four years ago. which caused
her to conclude that he was mentally de-
ranged. The evidence given by Miss Claire
was very much of purport similar to that
of the other daughters, as reported In these
columns in yesterdays issue.
On Saturday the witnesses for the de-
tense told Of Arthur's peculiarities during
the three or four years which preceded his
crime and ascribed them to insanity. Yes
terday Deputy District Attorney McComas
called to the stand numerous persons re-
siding in this city and in Pasadena who had
had just as much intercourse with the de-
PENDANT as those who were subpoenaed by
the defense, and who have known him ve-y
well for number of years. None of these
people could recollect any peculiarities in
Arthur's actions or talk during the1ast
four years which would lead them to be-
lieve that the man was crazy.
With the exception of the occasion when
a reference to his dead wife by his youngest
daughter caused Arthur to weep on Satur-
day. his demeanor during the trial has been
TIL; It,r ho
proceedings which are TO decide his fate.
He hears, however, everything that goes
on, but his face betrays nothing of what
he may feel inwardly. He is quite slave
to the tobacco habit. Out of court pipe
is ever clinched between his teeth. During
the session he indus triously chews away at
navy plug and is constantly in need of
cuspidore. No one not acquainted with
Arthur would take him to be the defendant
in so cold-blooded a murder charge as that
of Mrs. Ransome. He gave way again to
hysterical emotion yesterday when his
daughter Jetty was recalled and spoke OF
visit they had made together to his dead
wife's grave.
An expert witness was placed on the
stand by the prosecution when the defense
stated that it had closed its case. DR.. R.
Wernigk, one of the physicians on the
county board of lunacy commissioners.
was called. Mr.. McComas stated Arthur's
case to him tersely as follows: The defend
ant had been entertaining Illicit relations
with the Ransome woman. and drinking
considerably. She took up with another
man and left him. He got mad, brooded
over her infidelity, bought a secondhand
pistol, followed her on the morning of the
murder, took a drink in a saloon and
watched her closely for quite a distance
until she reached Third and Spring streets.
Here she was met by Kennedy, the new
lover. Arthur now drew his pistol, shot
the woman, shot at the man. and shot the
woman again while she was down. Within
twenty minutes he related to some one
fully all which has preceded, adding that
he was sorry he had not shot the man. At
the coroner's inquest, although cautioned
he told the same story logically again. On
the ground that the matter was not subject
to expert testimony, the query was ruled
out by the court and no expert testimony
went to the jury.
VIM. G. Taylor, a reporter on the Ex-
press. and Ralph Strong. a reporter on the
Record, testified that in their opinion
Charles H. Arthur was sane on the day of
the killing, judging from his manner short
ly after his arrest. He looked like man
recovering from debauch. DR.. Hagan,
the police surgeon, had observed Arthur's
department and judged him to be decidedly
sane. Detectives Flammer and Aube Cor
oner Campbell and Deputy Coroner Sum-
merfied, testified similarly, their basis be-
ing personal observation
Several residents of Pasadena, bas'ng
their opinion upon the frequent relations
and opportunities of observation they had
had with the blacksmith at that burg. pro-
nounced him sane. without a shadow of
doubt.
Deputy District Attorney willis opened
the argument for the prosecution at the
conclusion Of the rebuttal evidence The
case will in all probability reach the jury
this afternoon.