Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-29
Line of Defense in Trial of Olaf
Pallesen.
MEDICAL EXPERTS ON WITNESS STAND
Statement Made to Dr.. Richardson
by the Defendant.
EVIDENCE GIVEN TODAY

Increased interest in the case OF Olaf Pal-
Lessen. indicted for the murder March IA
| last of his wife. Josephine and of Julia
Hengesbach, the little daughter Of neigh
Dor, was apparent when the trial was re-
| sumed this morning before Justice Cla-
baugh, in Criminal Court No. 1. After The
Stars report of the proceedings yesterday
closed. the government announced that the
Introduction of Its evidence in chief was
concluded with the testimony Of Mrs. Hen
gesbach.
The first witness for the defense WIS
Mrs. Theresa Krause. stepmother of Mrs.
Palesen. The substance Of her remarks
was that Pallesen had ben good hus-
band and father, his conduct up to the
time Of the killing being above criticism.
DR.. Richardson, superintendent Of the
Government Hospital for the Insane; DR..
D. K. Shute, physician to the JAIL DR.. Irv-
ing Rose and other physicians were in
court this morning as expert witnesses.
The first witness called however, was Mrs.
Harry c. Mercer. She was followed by
Mrs. F. W. Ribnitsky. They testified that
| they had been acquainted with the Pal
lesens; that the conduct Of the husband
toward the wife was exemplary. Refer
ence was also made to what were consid-
cred peculiar actions on the part of the
defendant.
Thomas NJ. Haislip. a contractor and
builder, who next took the stand, related
That at one Time 1alleSen as q painter WAS
in his employ. The witness observed that
the defendant had very peculiar DISPOSE
ton, and that he continuously mumbled
quotations from the Scriptures.
Sarah Morton. colored, who had been in
the employ of the Pallesens for some time,
was called to say that the actions of the
man toward his wife were of most de-
voted character at all times.
Family Physician Testffes.
DR.. A. Rhett Stewart, who for three
years was the family physician of the Pal
lesens. Informed the jury that the defend
ant. from his observation, had always
treated his wife properly. DR.. Stewart tes-
titled that early last March he was sum-
moned to see Pallesen. He was suffering
from intense nervous excitement The de-
PENDANT had also worked for the witness.
The formers talk was disconnected while
he was at work.
In the opinion of DR.. Stewart the mind Of
Pallesen early last March was unbal-
anced, the nature of the trouble being slow
Inflammation of the anterior cells of the
brain. The man would be unaccountable
for acts committed wilhelm such condition,
said DR.. Stewart
The defense next called DR.. shute. who
explained that he first saw Pallesen the
evening of the day the man was taken to
the Jail, which was the 18th of March. The
witness reached the very decided conclu-
sion that day that the prisoner was insane.
His trouble was religious monomana.
Daily, for month, Dr. Shute observed
Pallesen closely, during all of which time.
he was convinced, the unsoundness OF mind
continued.
Improvement Noted.
The relief from anxiety and financial
troubles, so DR.. Shute testified, has result
ed in a very great improvement In the
mans condition. He had also been given
medical treatment.
His improvement has been exceedingly
marvellous" added DR.. Shute, but l still
believe his mind to be diseased and consider
that it would be a very dangerous thing to
place him at large in the community"
The next witness. Ignacio Marine, through
an Interpreter. informed the jury that ne
had lived in the same house with the Pal
Lessen. The domestic relations of the coll
pie were devoid of disagreements. The
conduct of the man. especially in connec-
ton with religious subjects, was, the wit
ness thought very peculiar.
DR.. A. B. Richardson, superintendent OF
the Government Hospital for the Insane,
was examined at length. In reply to
hypothetical question embracing the salient
points of the Pallesen case the witness re-
piled that in his opinion the person who
committed the acts of violence was insane.
Continuing, DR.. Richardson testified that
he made an examination of the defendant
at the JAIL the 26th of April When the
witness inquired how he was feeling. Pal
Lessen replied that he was troubled because
he had killed his wife and child.
Statement by PalIesen.
Further inquiries by the witness adduced
from Pallesen statement substantially as
follows:
81 was walking back and forth. praying.
I was troubled. A good spell and a bad
spell were fighting in me. l prayed to be
protected. Something said to me: Now you
do it. I made answer, Father in heaven, I
can't do it; love her too much
After while the something again said:
Now do it, I replied: L can't. A third
time 1t said: Now you must do it, and I
did. / thought it was God told me to act.
1 know now it was a bad act, and it must
have been the devil talking. I was not
sorry at the time, because l thought God
had told me to act. l did not realize until
several weeks after 1 had been locked up
that it was wrong"
Continuing. DIR. Richardson explained that
the statement of Pallesen was perfectly
natural and was corroborated by experience
in cases of delirium based on hallucination.
WAS it not possible that the defendant
might have been feigning Insanity" the
prosecuting attorney inquired.
81 do not arrogate to myself infallibility,"
replied the witness, but l do not think he
was feigning.'
DR.. Richardson further said he did not
believe that the crime was the result Of
anger or passion.
DR.. C. H. Latimer testified along the same