Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-11
ONCE BRILLIANT
MIND IS NO MORE
FORMER LEGAL GIANT IS
ADJUDGED INSANE
PLEADS HIS OWN CAUSE
George D. Blake, While Fighting Hal
luelnations Rowing Through His
Brain, Puts Forth Every
Effort In Defense
PLEADS HIS OWN CAUSE

ment and reason fighting the halluci-
nations that were rowing through his
brain, and yet prepared to make the
greatest legal fight of his life, George
d. Blake. for many years one of the
most brilliant attorneys in California
and victor OF more than score of the
hardest fought legal contests. yester-
day appeared in Judge Monroe's de-
partment of the superior court to con-
test the charge of insanity preferred
against him.
The scene was one of the saddest ever
witnessed in a legal court room and
representatives of nearly every law
firm in Los Angeles were present.
Judge Monroe opened the case by
calling Under Sheriff Yunkin to the
stand. In a flash. Blake was on his
feet, denying the allegation and ask
ing for a dismissal of the case. He
was overruled and his brother attor-
neys looked on with pity while the
court humored the whims of Blake and
allowed him to to cross examine wit
nesses and argue with the court.
Meeting Is Sad One
The meeting between Yunkin and
Blake was a sad one. The two men
had known each other for many years
and the one had made arrests where
the other had prosecuted the cases.
The under sheriff's testimony was
brief, telling simply of the actions of
Blake while incarcerated at the county
Jail.
When Deputy Franklin was called
to the stand, all the controlled passion
of Blake's anger broke loose and he
started to denounce the deputy, tell
ing the court that Franklin was in
sane.
That man is insane, your honor"
he shouted. He kept me in my Office
and would not let me go out. He
would not even let me telephone to the
chief of police, and there 1 spent the
night wrestling with that insane man
and with my sorrow. 1 can bring ex-
pert testimony here to prove Franklin
is insane"
Franklin was turned over to Blake
for examination.
Did my actions warrant you in
saying 1 was insane?" Blake asked the
deputy.
II think" began Franklin, when
Blake interrupted in his quick way
that at one time made him favorite
with everyone.
1--WE do not care what you think and
we move that your evidence be stricken
out as incompetent, irrelevant and i'm
material No one cares what you
think" continued the accused.
Confirmed spirituaist
Another witness was called and tes-
tilted that Blake said he had talked
with the spirit of his deceased wife.
Blake smiled as he answered: Ger
tainly L talked with my wife. I would
have been crazy had 1 not spoken with
her and I intend to do away with all
this nonsense of talking about occult
ism. / have the power of the inner
sight, and to prove it to you say that
plCNC w IlllG 10 IlSllI mere llOM- 1Ou
know the voice of Steve White, your
honor. Listen now and he will speak
to you"
Again the attorney rambled and his
physician, DR.. Fulton was called to
the stand and testified that his patient
had suffered a severe relapse and was
taken with convulsions several years
ago Blake put him through a rigor-
Gus examination, as he had done the
other witnesses.
II. L. Randell, a friend of Blake's,
was called to the stand and told of
to be out of his mind.
Are there any other occasions you
remember?" asked the court.
II do not think of any unless"
started Randell, when Blake said:
stop right there. enter objec-
tion to this mans testimony because
he only thinks it,"
objection overruled," said the court
and Blake turned to the stenographer
and said, Mote an exception"
When the testimony was all taken,
Blake arose for his final argument.
The handsome features of the attorney
were working with excitement and he
leaned over the table and shook his
finger in the faces of the Jurors.
Listen" he said. "The greatest
bank in the history of the world is to
be opened in Los Angeles I am to
be president and Huntington, Doheny
and Steve White are to be the financial
hackers. This bank is to be opened
at all costs.
PitifuI Remarks
II can bring evidence into this court
room to prove that the Broadway
Bank and Trust company paid $1O,OOO,-
600 to County Clerk Keyes for him to
use his influence with Judge Wilbur,
so that Wilbur should bring these pro-
eeedings against me. 1 can prove that
the sum of $1OOOOOOOO cash was paid
Attorney Gage to prosecute this suit.
l can prove that the trust company Of
fered 300 OOO 0OO cash M the VVasfarn