Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-19
INSANITY ALLEGED
Evidence to Prove George W. Horton
Mentally, irresponsible.
STATEMENT MADE BY His ATTORNEY
Threats Against Judge KimbaII and
Others Testified To.
AN OBJECTION OVERRULED

AN OBJECTION OVERRULED
When the trial of George W. Horton, the
ex-poiiceman, indicted for the murder of
Mrs. Jane Nicholson the evening of the
24th of last June, resumed this morn
ing in Criminal Court No. l Justice Cla-
baugh overruled objection of the de-
Tense to the giving of testimony by Lieut..
John F. Kelly of the sixth police precinct.
1t was contended that the defense had not
been notified of the correct address of Lieut..
Kelly, required by law, and therefore
he should not be allowed to take the stand.
| Attorney Jeffords noted an exception to
the ruling of the court. and Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Shillington began examin-
ing Lieut.. Kelly.
The witness stated to the jury that he
was at the sixth precinct station the night
of the murder. The prisoner greeted the
witness cordially. Hearing that Horton
| had swallowed poison the witness directed
that ne be hurried to the Emergency Hos
pital. When he was brought back he said
to witness:
Il know I'm in a bad fix 1 killed the
woman because 1 loved her and could not
live without her. l did the deed and am
not deserving Of mercy and don't ask it.
Inc hnal witness for the government was
detective Edward Horn. He was at the
SSth precinct station after Horton had
been arrested Witness conveyed to Mrs
Horton request, made by the prisoner to
Lieut. Kelly, that she call at the station to
husband Informed her that he did not send
Tor her. When asked by his wife why he
Killed Mrs. Nicholson the prisoner replied
ta .t ne ioFeo the woman and could not live
without her. Mrs. Horton suggested that
ne WASH the blood from his hands but he
decnned saying he wished it to remain.
| was ne known as Crazy Horton?" De-
! fords ~ ''iHeS 'el-
me prosecution objected. The court sus-
.a.ned the objection, and exception was
| The government at this point annoupced
that 1t would rest its case whereupon At
torhey Jehords. in a brief statement in
| insanity ' 'e
we Will try to show" stated the attor-
hey, mat this man for many years has
of ofe me OF k Hnsound mind was so at the time
unaccountabe for the crime"
For the Defense
Robert H. Wyatt appeared as the first
witness for the defense. He testified that
he boarded at Horizons house for Some
time and had occasion to closely observe
the defendant. The latter remarkably toId
IN, rne W., Wltness pc was troubled at night being
I've got to kill somebody" Horton fire.
IHut ty re,mf!arkea. TO the witness, so the
iatter testified Once he took the witness
INTO the cellar of The house showed him a
pistol and said: i
I've got this pistol hid because I've got
TO XIII three people, and then I'll kill nv
sell. I've got to kill Maj. Moore Judge
| hlmball and somei one else whose psrna
won't mention" -.-.
At other times, it was testified, Horton
informed the witness that the devil had
] md h.a
an nigh DIN. the opinion of the witness
Horton often lost, all idea of his identity
All IN all, the wftHess did not consider Hor
ton "a very sanefman.
Joseph Kendrick, a resident of MarvIa,d
the next witness. testified that he formerly
taught school, and that Horton was one of
his pupils. -
Mr.. Horton had spells of weakminaad-
ness or insanity, stated Mr.. kendrick II
nave always considered him a man of very
unsound mind"
The witness detailed number of peculiar
actions on the part of the defendant sucb
| as suddenly drawing a pistol and firing into
a ire place. riding horse to a state of ex-
haustion. and the Like.
Considers Defendant Peculiar.
John }. DAILY, who has known Horton for
! fifteen years past, testified that he has
considered the defendant peculiar to saw
the least His conversation has been of
a rambling character. Three days prior
to the murder. so the witness stated. Hor-
ton called at has place of business for the
purpose of selling coffee. From his ac-
tons that day Mr. DAILY considered Horton
insane or of unSound mind.
The defense next called Andrew J. Cav
wood, who has known Horton for about
forty years. The substance OF Mr. Cay
woods testimony was that he has never
known Horton to engage in an intelligent
conversation; that he considered the de-
PENDANT perfectly foolish. and that he
never had particle of doubt as to the
mans mind being unbalanced.
AT this point d recess was taken.
During the procee dingS today the defend
ant sat with bowed head, displaying no in
terest whatever, apparently, in what was
transporting.
Rational Part of the Time.
After recess the first witness was w. H.
Martin He testified that he has known
Horton for about eighteen years, and at
times found him rational and a other times
irrational. OF late years, according to the
witness, the defendant has been growing
worse in this respect.
Miss Efiie V. Berry of La Plata Nd a
niece of the defendant, next testified. She
informed the jury that her grandmother
who is Horizons mother, is insane. Miss
Berry spoke of a visit Horton paid to her
home last April, He wandering in his
manner unhappy and acted strangely. she
said. While the witness could not say pos
itively that the defendant is insane, she did
testify that he is wandering and of IN
sound mind al times.
For d long time | have been satisfied
that my brother is insane was the state
ment of David Denham Horton brother
Of the accused. who next took the stand
The witness related a number of incidents
to indicate that the man trial is of un-
sound mind This line of testimony was
in progress when The Stars report closed.