The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-18
B, J, PAO|EN
PROVED HIS
SANITY

In the Sixth district court yesterday
there was a somewhat unusual variation
of the trial OF man pronounced by
doctors TO be insane.
In this case the man was Bernard j.
Padien, member OF the Rhode Island
bar. and ne defended himself so well and
cross-examined the physicians 10 such
effect that Judge Sweetland was unable
TO decide that he was insane and ordered
his release.
DR.. Griffin was the first witness and
testified that. in his opinion. Mr.. Padlen
was insane. The witness said he saw
him in his cell Wednesday at the Central
police station lie said that he found
the mans speech and actions Illogical.
The prisoner couldn't tell how old he was
saying tl,at his head and mind troubled
him.
The witness setd that he found that
the patient was at the state institutions
in 1858. suffering from alcoholic paranoia.
In his opinion. he was developing general
paralysis and was not able to take care
OF himself. However. IL somebody could
take care of him there was 10 necessity
that he be sent TO the Insane hospital
Mr.. Palden then began the cross-exam-
alton.
Yesterday at i:3O o'clock" ne said TO
the doctor. was the first time We had
met since | came here with the officers
Prom three visits you have formed the
opinions. you have expressed concerning
my condition."
From those three visits and the his
when you came did you intimate in
any way that you came as "A physician
~ don; think ] did
Did | say I didn't know my age?'
That's what you said. You said you
couldn't trust 10 memory"
Mr.. Paden here told the court that he
didn't make that statement but that he
simply intimated that he didn't care to
talk with the doctor.
What do YOU understand the word
fllogical'7" continued Mr.. Padlen.
erai defnItions Of the word. being inter
rupted frequently by further ques-
tions from the defendant, and finally
| formulated one that was apparently ac-
| continued.
Continuing, Mr. Padien said you
were alone at the fret meeting?'
Yes. sir"
AT the second meeting you were ac-
! companied by another person7"
yes. by Dr. Terry
AT the second examination was there
4 any answer OF mine 10 indicate anything
/ more than that / didn't want any con
( versation with your
You said quite a little TO yourself.
] You made replies 20 questions addressed
. 10 you. and in a little while you began
! 20 talk 10 yourself in such manner that
! we couldn't understand what you said. F."
Then there was no answer 10 any
question you put. except that ] didn't
want any conversation with you?'
No
The third meeting was this morning.
I and was substantially the same az the
second7'
Yes"
. Or Terry was celled next and testified
that he considered Padien insane. lie
l told the man In his cell he had come
I there 10 examine him. The latter asked
I tho doctors name and office while In the
cell The doctor said he told him his
name and street and number. and was
then told the prisoner meant his official
/ capacity.
The doctor tried 10 tell the court what
7 he had learned concerning Padien's eXpe-
riencc at the state institutions. but he OBJ
iccted 40 it "a hearsay testimony
was there anything that passed be-
tween YOU and me except what voI have
already to,d?" asked Mr.. Padien OF the
doctor
"No. cir" replied the witness
Following tho docfOrs. Mr. padicn went
80 the vitress stand and told n connected
story of the circumstances surrounding
his arrest when he rad finished. thc
court said.
"rrrn All tho testimony I can't Say I
think you're insane. but don't you think
yorr nervous and physical state II such
that YOU would be benefited by treatment
a. the state hospitsi7"
Il don't care 20 70 as an insane person"
replied Mr. Padien.
He was released