The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-08-05
HEAD In EVIDENCE
Barry's Skull Examined by Jurors
and Attorneys.
PRAYS DAILY FOR FORGIVENESS
Sweeney, First of the Medical Ex-
perts, Takes the Stand for the
Defense.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
Langdon, N. D., Aug. 5.-The examina-
tion of William Barry, put on the stand
Saturday by the defense, continued until
late this forenoon. His cross examination
by Judge Cochrane started before noon
Saturday and was not completed until
after 10 o'clock this morning The state
went largely over the ground that has
been covered in the case by previous wit
nesses, Barry, however, testifying to moth
ing occurring on Jan. or from that time
until his confinement in Jail here at
Langdon, this being in accord with his
statement, made under direct examination,
that his mind when the act was COM
mitted was a complete blank.
Confronted with the question, did you
tell Judge Templeton you killed Mellem
with knife?" Barry answered that if he
did he didn't know what he was talking
about.
Regrets His Deal With Counsel.
This mornings cross examination of
Barry dealt largely with business trans
actions and his general mental condition
since he has been in jail here. His friends
had acted as his agents, but he had had no
appointed guardian. He created some ex-
citement by saying that II he had had the
same use of his mental faculties at the
beginning of the year that he possessed
lO-Qdy ne MOuLQ u6f6T nave mdQ6 SuCQ q
deal as he did with regard to retaining
counsel He seemed to think he had put
up retainer enough to have engaged the
prosecution as we'll as the defense.
Barry said his mind was better in March
when visited by DR.. Sweeney. The court
sustained the objection of his counsel
when be was asked for statement of his
conversation with DR.. Sweeney. His re-
fusal to allow the states insanity ex-
1aTf ca1yo mt h he o1.fp nd
owing to DR.. Moore not having the con-
sent of his counsel
When Judge Cochrane closed his cross
examination the defense, after a few
questions as to Barry's injuries to his
head, sustained in childhood, placed the
defendants head in evidence, and court,
jury and attorneys all taking turns at
feeling where the hole was made in his
skull when he was kicked.
Praise for MelIem.
The delusions with which he said he was
troubled in jail and which drove away his
sleep, he asserted in no way resembled
the ghost of his victim Mellem. He went
further than the question asked and as
serted that never day since he had been
himself and his reasoning powers re-
stored, but what he had prayed for Mellem
and he believes that the murdered man
has granted forgiveness for the act. An
unusual look If earnestness came over
Barry's face as he said this.
DR.. Arthur Sweeney, expert on insanity,
was then called by the defense and after
some questions as to his qualifications
halt was caused by the objection Of the
state to the witness entering into long
detailed statement on the ground work Of
nervous diseases leading up to the various
forms of insanity. The argument which
followed lasted until the noon adjourn
ment.
Strong Case by Defense.
The experts will be on the stahd prob
ably until Wednesday forenoon. The case
in rebuttal will then probably cover three
days as the state says it has twenty-three
witnesses to call. There will then be
three or four witnesses on the sur -rebut-
tai so that it would seem now that it will
take until next Saturday night to get the
evidence.
Judge Cochrane in the two speeches he
will make for the state, is expected to
consume nearly day, while Judge Tenn
pleton and Tracy Bangs will require at
least three-fourths Of a day for the de-
fense.
Judge Kneeshaw as we'll as the attor-
neys, therefore, think it will be Aug. 13,
when the case goes to the jury. If there
should be a curtailment of cross -examina-
tion the end may be reached earlier.
Eight members Of the jury yesterday
took a drive out to the farms of some of
the members.
Three others attended divine service
while the other one remained at home.
The defense has put up a strong case, and
it remains to be seen whether the rebut-
tai will shatter it.