The times., 1899-04-14
Allen w. Mallery y&Co
go F St.
ENTERS PLEA OF INSANITY.
Witnesses From North Carolina Tell
of Reeds Mental Condition


The trial of William K. Reed, who is
sharged with the murder of Elizabeth Lo-
gan, also colored, on September last
was continued yesterday in Criminal Court
No. before Justice Clabaugh. As on the
other days since the hearing began, the
courtroom was crowded with spectators
The prisoners wife and children were in
attendance, as usual.
The only witnesses called by the Gov
ernment were Policemen Charles II.
Cowne, Emil E. H. Rink, and Washington
Sanford, all of whom took part in the ar
rest OF Reed shortly after the crime was
committed They all testified that the de-
fendant admitted the killing, and said he
was glad the woman was dead and hoped
that she had gone to a better place. He
also said that he hoped TO meet her in
heaven. When these witnesses concluded
their evidence Assistant District Attorney
Shillington announced the Government S
case closed.
Attorney Royal Hughes for the defence
then made statement to the jury of the
line OF defence the prisoner would pursue.
He said 1t was not his intention to DENY
the killing of the woman, but, on the con-
trary. would admit it. 1t would be
claimed, however, Mr.. Hughes said, that
Reed, on account OF his mental condition,
was not responsible for the act. because
he was insane at the time he committed 1t.
Mr. Hughes teen stated that testimony
would be offered in support of that asser-
tion 10 show that the defendants father.
white man, his mother, colored woman.
and his sister. had all died insane. and
that Reed himself was looked upon as
queer" by those who knew him at b s
former home in Concord, n. C. He said
1t would also be proven that one of the
DEFENDANTS half-brothers, the legitimate
son of his father. was known in and about
Concord as a crank
II was later testified by one OF the wit
nesses who hailed from near Concord that
the half-brother referred to had frequent
ly gone about Concord with red and blue
feathers stuck in his hat. and that he
would go TO cotton gins in the neighbor-
hood and eat raw cotton seed.
The first witness for the defence was
William a Jaynes, OF Concord. n. c..
where the defendants father and mother
lived, and where it is claimed he was born.
The witness stated that he was acquainted
with the parents and other relatives of
the defendant, and that it was generally
believed that they were OF unsound mind.
The next witness was Mr.. c. A. Pitts.
Justice of the Peace in Cabarrus county.
N c. His testimony was substantially the
same as that OF the preceding witness.
Alexander Reed, half-brother OF the de-
fendant. who lives near the town OF Con-
cord. was next called. He testified that his
brother, the defendant has always acted
queerly; that his mother died in the Asy-
lum for the Insane at Goldsboro. y. c..
and that half-brother, the legitimate
son of his father. committed suicide while
suffering from a temporary alteration of
the mind. He also told OF peculiarities of
other Of his relatives.
Dr. r. S. Young. a prominent physician,
OF Concord, was also called and testified
that he knew several of the defendant s
relatives. and that they are considered
peculiar" He said he had heard the evi-
denee given in reference TO them, and il 1t
were true he said he would have no hesi-
fancy in saying that the defendant S
mind is unbalanced.
Dr. J. +. Miller. Superintendent OF the
Eastern Hospital, at Goldsboro, was caIlei
10 testify TO the fact that the defendants $
mother had been admitted 10 that insti-
luton as an Insane person, and had died
there.
The witness was still on the witness
stand al the time the court adjourned.
The hearing will be resumed this morning
NJ 10 o'ciork