The Washington herald., 1907-02-05
INSANITY IS ALLEGED
Experts Say Mrs. May Was
irresponsible at Times.
THREE DOCTORS TESTIFIED
Specialists Declare That the Charges
Made by Her Husband Would Tend
to Increase the UnsOundness OF Her
Mind-TriaI Is Expected to Close
TOmOrrOw-Testimon Unshaken.

Testimony Ia the trial Of Mrs. Jennie
May, charged with assault with intent to
kill Lucien Conen, who died over a year
after the shooting, took decided turn for
the defense yesterday, when experts testi-
fed that Ia their opinion Mrs. May was al
times Of unsound mind. Their testimony
tended to show that Mrs. May was sub
ject 20 epileptic seizures. and for some
time after such attacks could hardly be
considered perfectly sane
Three physicians were called TO the
stand by the defense yesterday. Dr. a. r.
Butz, the Mays family physician; Dir. A.
Barnes Hooe, instructor at George Wash
ingtOn University. and DR.. j. Wesley
Bovee. Dr. Butt described Mrs. Mays
many illnesses between January, 1875. and
the present time. Dr. Hooe substantiated
Or. Butz, and told Of the occasions when
he had been called in 10 treat Mrs. May
in conjunction with Dr. Butz. Or. HoOe
was not allowed TO testify as 10 Mrs.
Mays sanity. a question from Justice
Stafford producing the admission that he
did not feel competent to testify as an ex-
pert on mental diseases.
Dr. Bovee, who IS a specialist, was
called in the afternoon. He was asked
questions by counsel for the defense re
garding his knowledge Of epleptic cases.
Are Mentally irresponsible.
The epieptic is not always nor
NAL. The eplleptic who suffers convuI-
sions with considerable Of an interval be-
tween is usually mentally irresponsible at
the time Of the seizure and for a short
time afterward. The epileptic who has
suffered from the disease for years is
usually regarded as Incompetent at all
times. said Br Bovee
DIR. Bovee was then asked a question
filled with incidents and reference 20 pc
culiar acts OF Mrs. May, previously
brought out in testimony. and his opinion
was solicited as 10 her sanity.
I would say that on most Of those oc-
caSiOns she was Of uns0und mind
Assuming that Mrs. May was in such
condition on September q, 1896. and as
Stunning that on that date her husband
told her of the charge made by COnen Of
Intimacy between her and George Gault,
and threatened to get divorce-in your
opinion was the defendant Of sound or
unsound mlud2"
Il would say that she was Of unsound
Hhnd, frHHtd Ut. bONee, because or the
evidence previously given. Indicating men
tai abnormality with hOmicidal or suicidal
tendencies; because OF she shock 10 her
highly strung nervous system from the
charge made by her husband
Testimony Is mistaken.
Assistant District Attorney Turner took
up the crcss-examination Of the witness
and repeated Attorney Fulton's hypotheti-
cal question with the addition Of points
meant to show more elaboration and
calmness about Mrs Mays act Of shoot
ing Conen than would have characterized
the assault Of an insane person. DIT.
Bovee was mistaken IN his belief and even
stated that ne not only saw nothing IN
the prosecutions question TO weaken bis
belief. but saw many things TO strengthen
IT, The attorneys for the defense were
seen 20 smile, and the prosecution ex-
cused the witness with the announcement
that the motion would be made 10 strike
out Or. Bovee's testimony.
This morning the defense viii introduce
another expert. after which the prosecu-
ton viii open in rebUttal 1t is not ex-
pected that TIE jury will be charged be-
fore tomorrow.