The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-16

Robert l.. Clinton. one of the attor-
neys for Mrs. Baptiste, made the open
ing argument for the defense, devoting
his time chiefly to the testimony on the
question of insanity. He said the au-
thorities on that subject say that in
sane persons are not responsible for
their acts, and the courts recognize
that, and the question for the jury to
consider was whether or not the de-
PENDANT committed the crime yoluntar-
lily. The state practically admitted all
the evidence presented by the defense
on the subject of insanity, and no part
of it was denied. Witnesses testified
that the defendant acted so strangely
for some time before the 10th of Sep
TENDER that they believed her to be in
sane, and expressed themselves to 9TH
ers that the authorities should take
charge of her Mr. Clinton said the
jury could not consider the case with
out considering the story of her life
and he referred to the fact that when
she returned to the city, after learning
that her husband had been untrue to
her and had taken up with another
woman, that she appealed to different
friends to use their influence to bring
him back to her She said she would
forget and forgive all If he would but
return to her. For two months she
thought of nothing else and talked of
nothing else, but her condition gradu-
ally grew worse as she brooded over
her wrongs, and when she received the
news that her husband had married
another woman in a neighboring city
her hope was shattered and the temple
of reason itself was wrecked, and she
was then no longer responsible for her
acts. Mr.. Clinton said disappointment
in love was one of the greatest griefs
of mankind. and especially of women
who suffered alone and in silence. In
regard to the degree of crime the at
torney said he honestly believed the
defendant had committed no crime but
If she had it was murder In the first
degree and nothing less. Confinement
IN the penitentiary would be no less
than verdict of murder In the first
degree. Mr.. Clinton said he believed
the jurors would be false to their oaths
If they sent the defendant to the peni-
Tertiary. He spoke of the absence from
the trial of friends of the dead man,
which showed in what light he was re-
garded
If he met death at the hands of this
woman he met what he deserved" In
concluding his address Mr. Clinton
thanked the jury for it's attention and
the court and prosecuting attorneys for
their courteous treatment during the
trial
Edwin NJ. Lamb. the other counsel TOR
the dSitH0dniy fDIONed MI. Clinton.
He said he appeared in the case
in the dual capacity of attorney
and friend of the defendant. He said
the law was that a man who gave an
other intoxicating liquor and put him
in condition where he was no longer
responsible for his action and was then
killed by that man. the law would hold
the slayer blameless. Would not the
same rule apply 10 insanity. where the
person is driven to that state of mind
by the one who is afterwards slain.
Mr.. Lamb said that in one respect the
trial was the most remarkable Of any
one that had ever come under his no.
tiee. OF all the large number OF Wit
nesses who were sworn and testified on
Doth sides no aspersion of perjury at
taehed 10 the testimony Of any OF the
witnesses. This little woman. said the
attorney was suffering from physical
disorder and mental distraction when
she returned To Butte and learned the
extent Of her husbands perfidy What
strong person could have
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