The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-01

A number OF witnesses who worked
with Hoffman were amongst those who
testified that since the death of a son
some three years and a half he had been
subject to fits OF depression and acted as
IL insane.
Mrs Hoffman, wife Of the defendant.
was the first witness called for the de-
fendant She was married "a years ago to
the prisoner and testified she was the
mother of six children. four OF whom
were still living.
Gen. Brennan asked the witness con-
cerning the death OF her son, three and a
half years ago. The child was q boy.
aged 13.
Gen. Brennan next asked. What was
the mental condition OF your husband up
to the time of the death of this child?'
HoFFMAN's DEFENCE
Attorney General Stearns wanted coun-
sci for the prisoner TO say whether the de-
fense was insanity or self defence. Gen.
Brennan said he had made himself plain
to the jury and the court that his de-
fenss was both insanity and self defense.
Judge Wilbur thought the question
proper under all the circumstances.
Mrs. Hoffman replied that the child was
his pet boy and her husband was sad af-
tel that and given TO singing solemn
songs. When he got angry he was very
excited. UP TO the death OF the boy the
mental condition of the prisoner was all
right. He would be so morose at times
that witness had asked him what was the
matter his reply was he could not tell
Witness said she knew Steinbach by
sight. Had heard her husband say he did
not know what Steinbach had against
him.
Mrs. Hoffman said she knew OF no fights
her husband had with steinbach. Her
husband did not drink at home either be-
fore or after the boys death.
On the morning OF the killing OF Stein
bach Mrs. Hoffman says her husband was
very different from what he had ever
been up TO that time. The night before
at once TO his room and groaned and
talked at great rate She went into
the room and told him folks would think
AZ he kept on talking they had had row.
A LOSS OF MEMORY.
The following morning her husband
said he remembered nothing OF the night
before. Her husband was kind to her.
though he would at times get very angry.
Gen. Brennan-What was the conduct
OF your huband to you after the death
Of the boy?
Mrs. Hoffman-It was always good.
Gen. Brennan had much difficulty with
person. and her testimony had to be
taken through an Interpreter Attorney
General Stearns did not cross-examine
this witness.
Henry j. Eitz. an employe of the What
Cheer brewery. was the next witness. he
was "A helper I'm the fermenting room for
Hoffman. Witness said he saw the pris-
oner the morning OF the killing OF stem
bach, and the prisoner was not ESgSy.
Hoffman and Steinbach were not on
speaking terms. This had continued for
months before the killing, according to
the witness.
IN SERIOUS MOOD.
Witness declared Hoffman was all
right with him. While he apparently
treated folks right Hoffman during the
two years and half was OF very serious
mood. What was meant as n Joke would
be taken TO heart by Hoffman.
After o'clock on March 28 witness
noticed that Hoffman was I'm a very
strange mental condition. He appeared
TO grow worse. Witness noticed him
about 5 o'clock in the tap room in a
listless way. Steinbach was about. He
was walking mp and down and also
seemed agitated. Witness knew nothing
OF the banquet that Steinbach had pre-
pared for Mr. Molter and his friends
Hoffman would stay an hour or 80 at
the bar while the witness always made
IL point 20 go right home Witness
had heard n report about the brewery
that Hoffman was 10 be reported to the
union.
Witness declared that Hoffman always
acted strangely IN the afternoon. In the
morning he would be all right
Henry Berger had known Hoffman
seven or eight years and Steinbach
about the same time. Witness said he
met Hoffman afternoons I'm the tap room.
Ever since his boy died, Hoffman ac-
cording 90 this witness, did not seem In
his right mind.
On cross-examination witness could not
say how much Hoffman would drink
each day.
TOLD TO GO HOME.
Leo Mitchky testified Hoffman was a