Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-04
TRIAL UF MRS. L. MAY
HEARING RESUMED TODAY IN
CRIMINAL COURT NO. 1.
Testimony Of Physicians and Laymen
General Good Character Of
the Defendant.

The trial of Mrs Jennie L. May, charged
with assault with intent to kill as the re-
suit of the shooting by her Of Lucien Conen
and his death a year and twelve days later
was resumed before Justice Stafford in
Criminal Court No. l this morning. United
States Attorney Baker continued to person.
ally conduct the case for the government,
Assistant United States Attorneys Turner
and Given being associated with him. The
trial today attracted less attention than on
any previous day. though the weather prob
ably was responsible for falling of in the
attendance. The extreme penalty following
conviction on a charge of assault with in
tent to kill is fifteen years Imprisonment.
Resumption Of Trial.
At the resumption of the trial of Mrs.
May before Justice Stafford In Criminal
Court No. 1 this morning the examination
of George M. Calf friends Of the Mays
during their residence in Chicago. was con-
eluded. He stated the relations between
himself and Mrs May were like those be-
tween brother and sister.
Mrs. Jennie Lehman was the next wit
ness. She testified to having seen Mrs.
May In the home of Mrs. Cooley, a neigh
Dor. Christmas eve. 1906. Witness describ-
ed an epleptic CONFUSION which, she said,
Mrs. May suffered, and which lasted from
ing.
Attorney Joseph Burkhart gave evidence
concerning call made at his office by Ole
j.. May, husband of the defendant, in the
summer of 1905, when the subject of divorce
was discussed.
Testimony as to the general good charac-
er OF Mrs. May and her good reputation in
the community was given by James Breidon
and George o. Fry. fellow members with
Mr.. May of the Marine Band.
Testimonv ~ phycjc{ono
DR.. A. B. Butz. family physician of the
Mays. described Mrs. Mays many illnesses
and her general physical and nervous con-
dition between January, 1906, and the pres
ent time.
DIR. A. Barnes Hooe, instructor at George
Washington University on diseases of wom-
en-, and specialist in the treatment of
women. testified to having been called to
treat Mrs. May in conjunction with DR..
Butz. He practically corroborated the state
ments made by the latter. DR.. Hooe was
questioned at length concerning diseases
peculiar to women, particularly. as to
been suffered by Mrs. May upon which
her defense largely depends. Attor-
ney Fulton of counsel for the defend
ant asked one question based upon Mrs
Mays erratfc actions at certain times, and
required DR.. Hooe to answer whether or not
they indicated an irresponsible mental con-
dltion; but, in answer to query from
Justice STANFORD, witness said he did not
feel competent to testify as an expert in
mental diseases, and the court ruled against
the question. Several other inquiries along
the same line were also excluded.
Policeman M K. HUMPHREYS of the fifth
precinct testified about an incident at the
May house at an early hour one morning
when he responded to cries of Murder!
Help" etc, and found Mrs. May sitting
on the doorstep in her night robe and cry
he do
that occasion.
DR.. j. Wesley Bovee specialist in diseases
of women, was called as a witness shortly
before the hour for the noon recess.
Not Always Normal.
"The epileptic mind is not always nor
NAL" declared DR.. Bovee. @
What do you mean by that? Go into
details. please said Attorney Fulton.
well, there are two answers possible
The epileptic who suffers commissions with
considerable of an interval between is usu-
ally mentally irresponsible at the time of
the seizure and shortly afterward The
epileptic who has suffered from the disease
for years is usually regarded as incompetent
at all times
DR.. Bovee said, however, that it is at
times difficult to differentiate between cpl
lepsy and major hysteria.
A question. filed with incidents Of pc
culiar acts by Mrs. May, which were pre-
viously brought out in the evidence, was
asked of Dr. Bovee, and his opinion as to
Mrs. Mays sanity or insanity solicited.
II would say on most of such times she
was of unsound mind" witness asserted.
Assuming that Mrs. May was In such
condition on September q, 1905, and as
Stunning that on that date her husband told
of the charge made by Lucien Conen of
intimacy between her and George Gault,
and threatened to get a divorce-in your
opinion, doctor, was the defendant of sound
or unsound mind?" asked Attorney Fulton.
II would think she was of unsound
mind" DR.. Bovee declared.
why, doctor?"
Because of the evidence previously given
indicating mental abnormality with homi-
cidal or suicidal tendencies; because of the
shock to her highly strung nervous system
by the charge made by her husband"
DR.. Bovee was under cross-examination
when The Star report closed.