The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-11-10

The trial OF Simon Massell for the 4,
murder Of his wife. Julia Massell. was |
continued in Judge Wilbur's court to-
day. Much testimony was introduced
in behalf OF the prisoner TO prove he |
had been for years insane This tes-
timony troubled the state apparently
but little. save in the fact OF its tedious
attention to detail. because the states
theiry is that the testimony Of wit
nesses in behalf Of the prisoner only
shows the effect Of jealousy or ner-
vous man of bad temper.
Judge Wilbur intimated today that
the trial should have been ended lastS
night. Some of the witnesses today
| seemed TO desire TO make the most OF
their opportunity TO talk in court Dr.
Ixeene- and Dr. JAY Perkins he'aFd-tht
testimony and will give expert evI-
| dence as to the mental condition or the
| prisoner. All the witnesses Tor the de-
! fence testified that the. prisoner was
constantly complaining or Ill healUh
and OF killing himself.
The state began it's rebuttal shortly
after midday. but no experts on IN
sanity were examined before the noon
| recess.
The prisoner constantly twisted his
moustache during the trial ana ne
! gives every evidence Of great nervous
| ness He seemed TO take no more no.
tice OF n witness favorable 10 him THAN
he did of those who spoke against hlm.
The Jury trying the case listens with
great care to the testimony as given
by the witnesses on both sides.
HE ACTED STRANGELY.
Nathan r. Barton. treasurer OF Ostby
e. Barton Company, well known jewel
ers. who yesterday testified that the
prisoner had acted very strangely while
in the company's employ was the hrst
witness this morning. HIS testimony
showed the prisoner had acted as sane
men seldom do and had caused much
trouble in the workshop.
Samuel Benjamin testified the pris-
oner once took up lamp to throw at
him, but woman prevented the prls-
oner so doing. witness had no quar-
rel with the prisoner at the time. IN
1891 witness was with Massell on the
water and the latter wanted TO meas
ure IL and finally jumped in. Masselr :
mind constantly wandered in conVersa-
tion.
boarded with the prisoner once SIMON
cut half the mustaChe off fellow-
boarder while he slept Slmon was
dangerous man when angry
Samuel Jacobson Of Shawmut street
had known the prisoner 10 years ana
, | S1lu SIMON WAS Ut AlAiiN' - = 80
: at other times depressed and constantly
did foolish things. one Of these was the
tvIng Of his fellow boarders' legs to-
!, gether while they slept.
William Levinson testified ne had
known the prisoner IL years anu Htyu q,
, with him az Dunn,s. Some times 81
, mon would act 'loony.' Hearo htn
threaten a man named Rudendorf Win
n pistol In the witness opinion 81
mon was not Of sound nina.
A LAWYERS TESTIMONY.
James A. Williams. member of the
bar. said he had known the priSoIlel
for about four years. lie OWthessD was
, called TO the prisoners mouse carry m -,
! | March and when he arrived SIMON saiu
(, he and his wife wanted 10 get a.
vorce and wanted Mr.. Williams TO di-
vorce him. Mr.. Williams said he had
no power to so do and after eNptaih ns
the law endeavored TO reconcile tne
parties. Mr.. Williams saw one ol the
| parties that had been circulating SloI
s les. according to Simon. and the party
denied II and Mr.. Williams gong PACK
to Simon advised him 10 live with MS
s wife and support her.
: The prisoner acted very Wldiy OF
this occasion. Witness saw the prison
e er "A couple OF DAYS later and he was
{ excited ard nervous. Mr.. Williams sa!,
he had seen the prisoner other times "
connection with political coutroFrisN
> IN south providence tnal nau N'l .il''.
g the courts Mr.. Williams did NOT thinl
{ he had seen enough Of the prisoner %
. form an opinion Of his sanity or insan
r itv.
on cT'oss-eNamination Attorney Gen
, eral Tanner asked Mr.. Williams VI h
= did not expect a nervous man 90 ar
strangely Ike Massel d'd when b
. heard his wife was unfaithful Nj
. williams repled yes. but that hc woul
expect n man to be more rcasonabi
and 10 hear both sides.
2 Charles T. Bluenstem said every ON
:. called simon whom he worked for Osth
= & Barton tho "cra2v Jew" on Oh
II morning of March 10 OF the preeou
" year simon asked witness if ~ (S
l. mon) could make his living IN Swodoi
n Witn>s eefd simon constantly put hi
hand TO his head and said 9TH
troubles al here
MORE CBANKY ACTIONS.
ie Charles Zuckorman testified he M
In known the prisoner seven years an
s.. worked and lived with him. once m
L. prisoner had threatened To- throw
n lamp az him because of slight cor
lr troverev over cards. Another time M
rt | prisoner in his own house held a '0ade
,e revolver AZ the head of witness on
ss said: "Gor auv money!" Witness coul
! not understand this request and IN